Aquatreat

What Aquatreat does

Aquatreat (legal entity International Aquatreat Co. bv) is a Belgian developer and producer of fine chemicals for industrial water treatment, founded in 1976 by Jan Vandersypen and headquartered in Aarschot, Belgium. The company formulates and manufactures a portfolio of cooling-water, boiler-water, reverse-osmosis, and wastewater treatment chemistries, organized around proprietary programs including a biocide-free Probiotic cooling program using competitive exclusion, a ZERO program that eliminates forced blowdown from cooling towers, and Phosphate/Nitrogen-Free product variants for environmentally regulated markets. The portfolio comprises roughly 20+ SKUs (e.g., Aquatreat 002, 009, 072, 130, 136, 128 for cooling; 650, 690, 695, 720, 718, 707 for boilers; 522, 535, 559, Neutracal, 841, 858 for RO; and 912 for wastewater), several of which carry NSF Standard 60 certification for drinking-water production, and operations are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. Aquatreat operates from a 1,650 m² passive, off-grid production facility commissioned in 2015–2017 with 10,000 tons annual capacity, powered entirely by on-site solar (140 kWp), geothermal heat pumps, and Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries, with wastewater handled on-site via a glass-pyramid evaporation/condensation system that has delivered certified zero wastewater discharge since 2001.

The business model is a one-time-purchase sale of formulated chemicals, priced opaquely and distributed exclusively through a curated network of 25+ independent specialized distributors covering 30+ countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, supplemented by direct on-site service (water/sediment analysis, membrane autopsies, quality checks) and recurring free technical training. Aquatreat serves industrial end-users — including port facilities (Ports of Antwerp and Ghent) and operators of large steam-boiler fleets — through its distributor channel rather than direct enterprise sales. The company is family-owned, with founder Jan Vandersypen transitioning CEO responsibilities in 2012 to his daughter Tinne Vandersypen, and has remained privately held with no external funding rounds, acquisitions, or subsidiaries disclosed. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; revenue figures, headcount within the stated 11–50 band, and customer-level economics are not reported.

Name

Aquatreat

Legal name

International Aquatreat Co. bv

Website

https://aquatreat.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aquatreat is a Belgian family-owned formulator and producer of fine chemicals for industrial water treatment — cooling, boiler, reverse osmosis, and wastewater — sold through 25+ distributors in 30+ countries and supported by in-house laboratory and on-site technical services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Water Treatment Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

pH Control, Antiscalants & Corrosion Inhibitors (IMAEAJAN), Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAC)

Keywords

• Industrial water treatment
• Cooling water chemicals
• Boiler water treatment
• Reverse osmosis chemicals
• Wastewater treatment solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Aarschot

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Water Treatment Chemicals: Aquatreat develops, produces, and sells fine chemicals for industrial water treatment including cooling water, boiler water, reverse osmosis, and wastewater applications. Products are sold through global distributor network.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aquatreat develops, produces, and sells fine chemicals for industrial water treatment, including products for cooling water, boiler water, reverse osmosis, and wastewater applications. The company manufactures an in-house portfolio of corrosion inhibitors, antiscalants, biocides, dispersants, and membrane cleaners, complemented by proprietary treatment programs (PROBIOTIC, ZERO) and supported through on-site quality control, water/sediment analyses, membrane autopsies, and laboratory research. Products are sold through a global distributor network spanning more than 30 countries.

Product overview

Aquatreat is a Belgian producer and developer of fine chemicals for industrial water treatment since 1976. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of water treatment solutions organized around four core product lines: (1) Cooling Water treatments including the PROBIOTIC Program (biocide-free) and ZERO Program (no forced blowdown), featuring products like Aquatreat 002, 009, 072 for open systems and 130, 136, 128 for closed systems; (2) Boiler Water treatments including products for low-pressure (650, 690, 695) and high-pressure (720, 718, 707) steam boilers; (3) Reverse Osmosis products including antiscalants (522, 535, 559) and membrane cleaners (Neutracal, 841, 858), many NSF certified; and (4) Wastewater treatments including Aquatreat 912. The portfolio includes phosphate/nitrogen-free variants and all products are designed for ecological water treatment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aquatreat 002 High-performance, multi-functional cooling water treatment product that prevents scale, corrosion, and biofilm in a single application; the company's most widely used cooling water chemical for open recirculating systems.
• Aquatreat 009 Phosphorus-free lime dispersant, corrosion-inhibiting and biofilm-preventing product for cooling water systems; designed for facilities seeking low-phosphorus chemistry.
• Aquatreat 072 Lime dispersant, corrosion-inhibiting and biofilm-preventing product for cooling water with low phosphorus content.
• Aquatreat 130 Highly concentrated nitrite-based liquid corrosion inhibitor for protection of all metals in closed recirculating water systems.
• Aquatreat 136 Molybdate-based, highly concentrated liquid corrosion inhibitor for protection of all metals in closed recirculating water systems.
• Aquatreat 128 Liquid corrosion inhibitor based on phosphate silicate, suitable for use in drinking water systems and NSF certified.
• Aquatreat 650 Concentrated one-shot product for total treatment of low-pressure steam boilers fed with soft water; provides corrosion-free, deposit-free feed water, boiler water and steam/condensate network.
• Aquatreat 690 Phosphate-free concentrated one-shot product for total treatment of low-pressure steam boilers fed with soft water.
• Aquatreat 695 Concentrated one-shot product for total treatment of low-pressure steam boilers fed with RO water or demineralized water.
• Aquatreat 720 Concentrated one-shot product for total treatment of high-pressure steam boilers.
• Aquatreat 718 Concentrated product for the treatment of complex steam and condensate networks.
• Aquatreat 707 Oxygen binder (catalyzed organic oxygen scavenger) used in high-pressure boilers when the degasser is insufficiently reliable.
• Aquatreat 522 Liquid product composed of polymers and sequestering agents that prevents deposit formation in membrane filtration units; NSF Standard 60 certified.
• Aquatreat 535 Phosphorus-free antiscalant for reverse osmosis or nanofiltration systems that prevents inorganic and organic deposit formation; NSF Standard 60 certified.
• Aquatreat 559 Liquid product containing polymers, sequestering agents, and a reducing agent to neutralize oxidizing agents in RO systems; NSF Standard 60 certified.
• Aquatreat Neutracal Sodium-hydroxide-based liquid product particularly suitable for removing organic pollution and biofilm from membrane surfaces.
• Aquatreat 841 Liquid product composed of organic acids, suitable for removing lime and iron deposits from membrane surfaces.
• Aquatreat 858 Strongly alkaline liquid product that removes both organic and inorganic deposits from membrane surfaces in one step; NSF Standard 60 certified.
• Aquatreat 912 Product for treating floating sludge formation in sewage treatment plants caused by thread-forming bacteria; reduces the sludge volume index (SVI) in many cases.
• PROBIOTIC Program Complete biocide-free cooling water treatment program using a multi-barrier technique with biodispersants and surfactants to control biofilm and Legionella pneumophila through competitive bacterial exclusion.
• ZERO Program Cooling water treatment for recirculating cooling towers that operates without forced blowdown; saves up to 60% of feed water and can reduce wastewater up to 100% while controlling corrosion, deposits, and microbiology without biocides.
• Phosphate and Nitrogen-Free Product Line Product line free from phosphorus and nitrogen for boiler water, cooling water, and reverse osmosis applications; addresses environmental concerns about excess P and N causing biodiversity loss and water pollution.
• On-site Quality Control and Technical Service Direct on-site service provided by Aquatreat's expert engineers who perform regular water quality checks and deliver immediate reports with advice, alongside water and sediment analyses, membrane autopsies, and laboratory research support for distributors and end customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 60% feed water savings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Watec Ltd. (Bulgaria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Bulgaria covering Plovdiv industrial zone with local technical support capabilities
• DANSK KEDEL KEMI (Denmark)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanish distributor for water treatment products serving the Danish market
• Aqua-Technik Beratungs GmbH (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman distributor based in Schwabach providing technical consulting and water treatment solutions
• MeCoTec (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman distributor based in Elmshorn serving the northern German market
• L'eau Reine Groupe Orizon (France)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench distributor based in Abainville providing ecological water treatment solutions
• WAREN (Sweden)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwedish distributor based in Skellefteå serving the Scandinavian market
• Willing Group Kft. (Hungary)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHungarian distributor serving industrial water treatment needs in Hungary
• AQUALITY b.v. (Netherlands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch distributor based in Stellendam serving the Netherlands market
• Island Services Co. Ltd (Malta)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaltese distributor serving the Malta industrial zone
• JATECH WATER (Poland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolish distributor based in Otwock serving industrial water treatment market
• RODINA srl (Romania)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRomanian distributor based in Targu-Mures serving the Transylvanian market
• GARANT MARTIN (Slovakia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovak distributor serving central European market with water treatment expertise
• MESEC d.o.o (Slovenia/Croatia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor covering both Slovenian and Croatian markets from Ljubljana
• Aracque Srl (Italy)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian distributor based in Tolentino serving the central Italian market
• USF Water Purification GmbH (Austria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian distributor based in Schwechat serving the Viennese industrial market
• EcoPre Ltd. (Georgia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeorgian distributor serving the Caucasus region
• CHIMIE EAUX ET SERVICES (Madagascar)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMadagascar distributor serving the African island market
• EAUTRAITEMENT (Morocco)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoroccan distributor based in Agadir serving the North African market
• Method (Ivory Coast)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIvorian distributor serving West African market from Abidjan
• HYDRO-X INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT (China)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese distributor based in Qingdao serving the Shandong Province market
• Sustainable Energy Water Treatment LLC (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMiddle East distributor based in Dubai serving UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain markets
• KAIZEN CHEMTECH (India - Western Region)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndian distributor serving the western region including Maharashtra state from Pune
• GEOFLUID PROCESSORS PRIVATE LIMITED (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-country distributor serving India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka from Mumbai office
• PURE CHEMICALS CO. (India - Licensing)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensing partner based in Chennai serving the southern Indian market
• HAKIM GROUP (Oman)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOmani distributor based in Muscat serving the Gulf region
• ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY (Qatar)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQatari distributor serving the Qatar market
• Enviroblend (Kuwait)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKuwaiti distributor serving the Kuwait market
• WATERCHEM CORP. (Vietnam)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVietnamese distributor based in Hanoi serving the Vietnamese market

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• BWA Water Additives: Specialty chemicals company focused on water treatment additives for industrial cooling and process water; comparable niche positioning to Aquatreat though with a different geographic and product mix focus.

Direct peers

• ChemTreat (Danaher): Industrial water treatment chemicals specialist serving cooling, boiler, and process water applications across North America and globally; directly comparable product lines and customer profile to Aquatreat.
• Kurita Water Industries: Japanese specialty chemicals and water treatment company serving industrial cooling, boiler, and RO applications worldwide; directly comparable product categories and end markets to Aquatreat, with significant global footprint.
• Solenis: Global specialty chemicals company focused on water treatment and process chemistries for industrial customers including cooling, boiler, and RO applications — directly comparable product portfolio and target customer base as Aquatreat, but at vastly larger global scale.
• Hydrite Chemical: US-based specialty chemical manufacturer producing water treatment chemistries for industrial cooling, boiler, and wastewater systems; closely comparable mid-sized specialty chemicals profile.
• Kemira: Finnish specialty chemicals company with a dedicated water-treatment segment producing coagulants, antiscalants, and biocides for industrial water treatment; directly comparable chemistry focus and customer types as Aquatreat.

Broad incumbents

• BASF Water Solutions: Division of BASF producing industrial water treatment chemicals including antiscalants, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides; competes with Aquatreat's portfolio but as part of a much broader chemicals conglomerate.
• Veolia Water Technologies: Global water treatment incumbent offering chemicals, equipment, and service contracts across industrial and municipal customers; overlaps with Aquatreat's cooling, boiler, and RO chemistry lines but operates a much broader portfolio and direct service network.
• Ecolab: Global water, hygiene, and infection-prevention solutions provider with a substantial industrial water treatment chemistry business; overlaps with Aquatreat in cooling/boiler water programmes but with vastly larger service infrastructure.
• Suez Water Technologies & Solutions: Global water treatment solutions provider offering chemicals, equipment, and digital services for industrial water applications; overlaps with Aquatreat in cooling/boiler/RO chemistries as part of a much larger portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

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 Aquatreat