Rudolf Messner Environmental Technology

What Rudolf Messner Environmental Technology does

Rudolf Messner Umwelttechnik AG (MESSNER / RMU) is a privately held German family-owned specialist in fine-bubble membrane aeration technology for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, headquartered in Adelsdorf, Germany. Founded in the 1980s and organized as an Aktiengesellschaft under German law, the company has accumulated more than 40 years of operational history and more than 1,000 installed aeration systems. Its core product platform consists of the MESSNER Classic and MESSNER Compact fine-bubble membrane aeration panels built on permanent-elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membranes with stainless steel A4 construction, designed for an expected service life of 15-20 years. The platform is extended by MESSNER ReNew factory refurbishment, MESSNER Control interactive load-dependent oxygen regulation on open PLC/DCS infrastructure, MESSNER LiftOut crane-based installation frames for filled tanks, and MESSNER DosingUnit for in-operation acetic acid cleaning.

The company's revenue model combines project-based custom-priced hardware sales of aeration panels and integrated systems with recurring professional services (refurbishment exchanges, remote support, cleaning, dosing) and control system sales. Distribution is enterprise field-sales led, with multiple regional sales offices in Germany providing customer proximity and an international sales network for export markets including France. MESSNER is the global preferred supplier of diffuser technology for Royal HaskoningDHV's Nereda aerobic granular sludge platform, with Aerzen as complementary blower partner, giving the company an embedded channel into a globally licensed wastewater treatment process. The customer base is concentrated in the regulated municipal wastewater vertical, with documented projects at treatment plants ranging from under 10,000 PE to 600,000 PE. Leadership comprises Supervisory Board Chairman Michael Andersen and a Board of Management led by Martin Gräsl (CEO) with Markus Bek and Hubertus Schrage.

Name

Rudolf Messner Environmental Technology

Legal name

Rudolf Messner Umwelttechnik AG

Website

https://rmu.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rudolf Messner Umwelttechnik AG is a privately held German specialist in fine-bubble membrane aeration technology for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, serving utilities and industrial operators with TPU-membrane panels, control systems, and lifecycle services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wastewater Aeration Systems

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Separation & Filtration Equipment (Filters, Centrifuges, Membranes) (IMAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Wastewater aeration systems
• Fine-bubble membrane aerators
• Municipal wastewater treatment
• Industrial wastewater treatment
• Biological process technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelsdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aeration System Sales: Sale of MESSNER aeration panels (Classic and Compact), lifting frames, and complete aeration systems including project-specific design and sizing of aeration system and blowers.
2. Professional Services: Installation, commissioning, and support services including MESSNER ReNew (refurbishment exchange), MESSNER Support (remote access monitoring), MESSNER Cleaning (high-pressure cleaning), and MESSNER Dosing (acetic acid treatment).
3. Control System Sales: Sale of MESSNER Control interactive control system for dynamic oxygen transfer regulation in wastewater treatment plants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Rudolf Messner Umwelttechnik AG manufactures and supplies fine-bubble membrane aeration systems for biological wastewater treatment, including MESSNER Classic and MESSNER Compact aeration panels with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membranes, along with complementary products such as the MESSNER Control oxygen transfer regulation system, MESSNER LiftOut installation frames, MESSNER DosingUnit cleaning systems, and the MESSNER ReNew factory-refurbishment exchange program. The company serves municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants with project-specific design, sizing, commissioning, and after-sales services.

Product overview

Rudolf Messner Environmental Technology (RMU) offers a comprehensive portfolio of aeration products and services for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. The core offering consists of fine-bubble membrane aeration panels available in two variants: MESSNER Classic (standard) and MESSNER Compact (narrower design for flexible tank geometries). These are complemented by the MESSNER ReNew refurbishment program for panel exchange, the MESSNER Control interactive oxygen transfer control system, the MESSNER LiftOut lifting frame for tank installations, and the MESSNER DosingUnit for acetic acid maintenance treatment. The company focuses on biological wastewater treatment with emphasis on energy efficiency, with aeration representing over 60% of wastewater treatment plant energy consumption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MESSNER Classic: Proven fine-bubble membrane aerator with long-lasting, low-maintenance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane for permanent and intermittent operation in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Features stainless steel A4 construction and expected service life of up to 20 years.
• MESSNER Compact
• MESSNER ReNew
• MESSNER Control
• MESSNER LiftOut
• MESSNER DosingUnit
• MESSNER ServiceBox

Products and services

• MESSNER Classic Fine-bubble membrane aeration panel with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane designed for permanent and intermittent operation in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Maximum oxygen transfer rate, highest energy efficiency, and expected service life of up to 20 years. Acid-proof stainless steel A4 construction. Sold to wastewater treatment plant operators and engineering contractors.
• MESSNER Compact Fine-bubble membrane aeration panel similar to MESSNER Classic but with a narrower shape for flexible use in various tank geometries. Long-lasting TPU membrane with permanent elasticity, low maintenance, and clog-free operation. Sold to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant operators.
• MESSNER ReNew Refurbished exchange program for MESSNER Classic and MESSNER Compact aeration panels. Old panels are returned, refurbished at the factory, and exchanged one-to-one with a full manufacturer's warranty of 5 years for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Includes dismantling of old products and assembly/commissioning of replacement aerators. Sold as a sustainability-focused replacement service.
• MESSNER Control Interactive control system for dynamic and load-dependent oxygen transfer control in activated sludge tanks. Regulates oxygen concentration to a dynamic target value based on online measurements including inlet quantity, ammonia (NH4), and nitrate (NO3). Features modularity, interactivity, and full system transparency. Implemented as an open solution directly on PLC/DCS. Sold to wastewater treatment plant operators seeking process optimization.
• MESSNER LiftOut Lifting frame system designed for use in activated sludge tanks when the tank cannot be emptied. Enables installation and removal of aeration panels from filled aeration tanks using a mobile crane without interrupting the aeration process. Available for 3 to 6 MESSNER Classic aerators per frame. Sold to wastewater plant operators.
• MESSNER DosingUnit Acetic acid dosing system for maintenance of aeration panels during normal operation without stopping the cleaning process. Available in two versions: mobile dosing station and permanently installed station. Finely nebulizes acetic acid into the air flow to clean mineral and biological deposits from membrane pores. Sold to wastewater plant operators as a maintenance solution.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 60% of wastewater treatment plant electricity consumption is for aeration; efficient aeration systems help significantly reduce energy costs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Royal HaskoningDHVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMESSNER is the global Nereda preferred supplier for diffuser technology. This partnership brings advantages to Royal HaskoningDHV's Nereda wastewater treatment technology offering. The MESSNER aeration panels improve efficiency of the aeration system and further reduce energy required in Nereda plants.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SSI Aeration: US specialist in fine-bubble aeration diffusers and equipment for wastewater treatment. Direct competitor in the membrane aerator category with similar municipal WWTP customer base.
• Aqua-Aerobic Systems: US-based wastewater treatment equipment manufacturer offering aeration, mixing, and biological process technologies. Comparable in serving municipal WWTPs with engineered aeration solutions.
• Sulzer: Swiss industrial group with wastewater aeration and mixing product lines serving municipal and industrial plants. Comparable in serving WWTP biological treatment stages with engineered equipment solutions.
• Aerzen: German manufacturer of blowers and aeration equipment, and existing RMU partner for Nereda projects. Competes in the same aeration system space and could also be a partner depending on project scope.
• Environmental Dynamics International (EDI): US-based specialist in fine-bubble diffused aeration systems for municipal wastewater treatment. Closely comparable niche player competing on membrane diffuser technology and energy efficiency.

Broad incumbents

• Xylem: Global water technology major owning Sanitaire and Wedeco aeration brands. Direct competitor in fine-bubble diffuser systems for municipal WWTPs but operates at vastly larger scale across the full water cycle.
• Atlas Copco: Industrial group manufacturing blowers and compressors used in WWTP aeration systems. Indirect competitor as a supplier of the air-moving component that pairs with diffuser technology like RMU's.
• Veolia Water Technologies: Global water technology incumbent (Kruger, AnoxKaldnes, Hydrotech) with broad municipal and industrial wastewater portfolio. Competes via integrated solutions rather than specialized aeration panels.

Emerging players

• H2O Innovation (Supratec): Acquired Supratec to enter the fine-bubble aeration membrane space. Comparable membrane-based aeration technology targeting municipal and industrial wastewater applications.
• Fluence Corporation: Decentralized wastewater treatment specialist with aeration capabilities. Adjacent competitor in industrial and municipal biological treatment with focus on packaged and modular solutions.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rudolf-messner-umwelttechnik-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rudolf Messner Environmental Technology