What Smartwater Group does

Smartwater Group operates a dual-engine security business through its DeterTech UK Limited subsidiary, combining patented forensic marking technology with intelligence-led temporary site security services. The technology core is SmartWater — a traceable forensic liquid containing a unique code that, under UV light, links marked assets back to their registered owner; the formulation is covered by worldwide patents and registered trademarks, conforms to British Standards Institution PAS 820:2012 Grade A external classification, and is guaranteed effective for at least five years after application. Underlying this, a centrally maintained, ISO 27001 certified database stores each customer's unique forensic code combination to support asset tracing and law enforcement enquiries. Adjacent site security products (PID360, PID Compact, DTSentinel, SmartRecon) and a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre provide intruder detection and verified video surveillance for temporary deployments, while a Crime Intelligence Platform overlays data-led analysis on top of physical deployments.

The company monetises across two distinct channels. On the enterprise and infrastructure side, DeterTech delivers fully-managed temporary site security — typically multi-year, contact-priced contracts — to construction firms (Murphy Group), rail operators (Network Rail), utilities (Anglian Water, Welsh Water, Yorkshire Water), renewable energy operators (Lightsource BP, Encavis, Greencoat), NHS, and government/law enforcement, protected by SIA Approved Contractor Scheme status and Police accreditation. On the consumer and SMB side, the SmartWater shop (shop.smartwater.com) sells standardised forensic marking packs (Home/Sole Trader, Vehicle, Catalytic Converter, Tool & Vehicle, Commercial up to 200/400 items) under both annual subscription and one-time licence models, supplemented by UV detection torches and routed through referral partnerships with six UK church insurers (Ecclesiastical, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic Insurance Service Ltd, Church of Scotland, Ansvar).

The group operates as DeterTech Holdings Limited with operating subsidiary DeterTech UK Limited and data-controller subsidiary SmartWater Technology Limited, all incorporated in England and Wales, with headquarters in Telford. The business is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, no public listing, and no institutional investor references in the source material. Operations extend beyond the UK into Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and France via localised websites, and the portfolio carries multiple certifications (ISO 27001, SIA ACS, BSIA membership, BSI PAS 820:2012 Grade A) supporting both regulated guarding work and enterprise procurement standards.

Name

Smartwater Group

Legal name

DeterTech UK Limited

Website

https://smartwater.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Smartwater Group (DeterTech) provides patented forensic marking technology and intelligence-led temporary site security services to construction, critical infrastructure, utilities, rail, renewable energy, and government clients across the UK and Europe, alongside insurance-referred consumer SmartWater products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Walford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Products (Subscription): Recurring annual licence fee model for SmartWater forensic marking products. Customers pay the licence fee annually to maintain their registration and database entry. The licence must be renewed each year on the anniversary of the Effective Date.
2. Promotional Products (One-time Licence): One-time payment product with a 5-year licence included in the purchase price. For promotional products, title and ownership of signs and labels remain with DeterTech while risk passes to the customer at delivery.
3. Managed Site Security Services: Fully-managed temporary site security services including intruder detection systems, CCTV monitoring, and alarm response through the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Sold to enterprise and construction sector clients.
4. E-commerce Retail (Direct-to-Consumer): Direct-to-consumer sales of SmartWater forensic marking products through the online shop (shop.smartwater.com). Products include Home Packs, Vehicle Packs, Tool Packs, Business Packs, Church Packs, and Roof Packs.
5. Insurance Partnership Referrals: Referral channel through insurance partners (Ecclesiastical, Methodist Insurance, Baptist Insurance, Catholic Insurance Service Ltd, Church of Scotland, Ansvar Insurance) where SmartWater is offered as a preferred security solution to policyholders, potentially generating volume-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smartwater Group, operating through its DeterTech brand, provides two integrated offerings: (1) proprietary forensic asset marking products (SmartWater/SmartTrace/SmartTag/SmartSpray liquids and packaged kits) that embed a unique forensic code linking items to their registered owner, and (2) fully-managed temporary site security services — intruder detection systems (PID360, PID Compact, DTSentinel), CCTV alarm monitoring, SmartRecon surveillance, and 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) support — sold primarily to enterprise customers in construction, critical infrastructure, renewables, utilities, rail, and government.

Product overview

Smartwater Group (operated through DeterTech) offers a unified security platform combining forensic marking technology and site security solutions. The core product is SmartTrace, an award-winning forensic marking liquid technology that provides legally irrefutable asset identification and crime deterrence. SmartTrace is complemented by site security products including PID360, PID Compact, DTSentinel, and SmartRecon for intruder detection and visual verification surveillance. The product portfolio is organized into two main categories: forensic marking solutions sold through the SmartWater shop as various packs (Home/Sole Trader Pack, Small Marking Pack, Medium Marking Pack, Vehicle Security Pack, Catalytic Converter Pack, Commercial Packs for 200/400 items, and Tool & Vehicle Pack) targeting homeowners, businesses, tradespeople, and vehicle owners; and site security services including CCTV alarm monitoring, crime intelligence analysis, and Alarm Receiving Centre monitoring for sectors including construction, renewable energy, infrastructure, utilities, retail, and government. Accessories include UV detection torches (Lumos Defender, Defender Lumos UV+, Tank007 UV02) for verifying SmartWater applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartWater: Forensic marking technology - 'traceable liquid' that provides legally irrefutable way to deter crime, identify assets and prosecute criminals
• SmartTrace
• SmartTag
• SmartSpray
• PID360
• PID Compact
• DTSentinel
• SmartRecon

Products and services

• SmartTrace Award-winning forensic marking liquid that provides a legally irrefutable way to deter crime, identify assets, and prosecute criminals. Each application carries a unique forensic code linked to the registered owner; UV-detectable and extremely difficult to remove.
• SmartTag Forensic marking product used to tag and identify valuable assets as part of the SmartWater suite, embedding a unique traceable forensic code on items.
• SmartSpray Forensic marking spray system designed for large-scale asset protection and crime deterrence, applying the SmartWater traceable forensic code.
• SmartWater Home/Sole Trader Pack Entry-level forensic marking kit for homeowners and sole traders, including SmartTrace liquid sufficient to mark 80-100 items plus window deterrent labels and tamper-resistant stickers.
• SmartWater Small Marking Pack Property marking pack containing 50ml SmartTrace Forensic Liquid plus self-laminating wire/cable labels and tamper-proof deterrent stickers.
• SmartWater Medium Marking Pack Larger property marking pack with 200ml SmartTrace Forensic Liquid, trigger spray, brush applicators, wire/cable labels, deterrent stickers, window labels, and weather-resistant Correx signs. Effective for at least five years after application.
• SmartWater Vehicle Security Pack Forensic marking kit specifically designed for vehicle protection, containing SmartTrace Forensic Liquid and tamper-resistant deterrent labels for cars and motorcycles.
• SmartWater Catalytic Converter Pack Specialised high-temperature forensic marking solution for catalytic converters and exhaust systems, using the SmartTrace HT high-temperature marker and vehicle deterrent labels.
• SmartWater Commercial Pack – Up to 200 items Business-focused forensic marking pack containing 2x SmartTrace Forensic Liquid bottles and comprehensive deterrent labels for marking up to 200 items.
• SmartWater Commercial Pack – Up to 400 items Large-scale business forensic marking solution containing 4x SmartTrace Forensic Liquid bottles and extensive deterrent labels for marking up to 400 items.
• SmartWater Tool & Vehicle Pack Combined forensic marking solution for tools and vehicles, featuring SmartTrace solution with a unique code linking property to owner, weather-resistant deterrent stickers, and vehicle-specific labels for comprehensive asset protection.
• Lumos Defender Torch UK Police Issue Defender Lumos Mini Pro-Trace UV Torch for professional UV detection of SmartWater forensic markings; compact and lightweight with wrist strap and MOLLE-compatible holster.
• Defender Lumos UV+ Police Issue Dual Torch High-performance handheld torch combining 230-lumen white light with a 365nm UV LED beam, IPX6 waterproof, magnetic base, USB rechargeable, with wrist strap and MOLLE pouch.
• Tank007 UV02 UV Torch UV torch for detecting SmartWater forensic markings; 12.8cm length, includes 2x AAA batteries, pocket clip, gift tin, and spare o-rings.
• DTSentinel Site security product providing intruder detection and surveillance for temporary security applications at construction sites and critical infrastructure projects.
• PID360 Portable intruder detection system offering fully-managed temporary site security with verified video surveillance capabilities, sold via 'Free Demonstration' CTA.
• PID Compact Compact portable intruder detection solution for temporary site security applications at smaller sites or constrained locations.
• SmartRecon Intelligence-led security solution for site surveillance and crime prevention through data analysis and visual verification technology.
• Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) 24/7 monitoring service for alarm signals and verified video surveillance alerts, providing response coordination for deployed site security clients.
• Crime Intelligence Intelligence-led technology service delivering actionable insights that help businesses optimise resource allocation and effectively deter criminals through data analysis.
• Managed Site Security (CCTV Alarm Monitoring & Construction Site CCTV) Fully-managed temporary site security service combining intruder detection, CCTV monitoring and alarm response, delivered by DeterTech field operations (SIA ACS approved) to enterprise clients across construction, infrastructure and government sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of convictions secured using SmartWater forensic evidence
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Brentford Football ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeterTech is the Official Site Security Partner of Brentford Football Club. This partnership provides brand visibility through stadium association and demonstrates SmartWater's capability in protecting sports facilities and venues.
• Ecclesiastical InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcclesiastical Insurance offers SmartWater forensic marking products to their church policyholders as a preferred security solution. Policyholders can access the SmartWater church protection program through shop.smartwater.com/church/ecclesiastical/.
• Methodist InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMethodist Insurance provides SmartWater church protection products to their policyholders through an integrated offering on shop.smartwater.com/church/methodist-insurance/.
• Baptist InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBaptist Insurance offers SmartWater forensic marking solutions to church policyholders, integrated through shop.smartwater.com with policy number verification.
• Catholic Insurance Service LtdcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCatholic Insurance Service Ltd provides SmartWater church protection to their policyholders through an integrated offering on shop.smartwater.com/church/catholic-insurance-service-ltd/.
• Church of ScotlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch of Scotland offers SmartWater church protection to congregations and church properties. Contact-based ordering via 0800 141 2543, with online ordering not currently available for this partner.
• Ansvar InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnsvar Insurance offers SmartWater forensic marking products to their church policyholders through an integrated page on shop.smartwater.com/church/catholic-insurance-service-ltd-2/.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Mitie Security: Mitie is a major UK facilities management and security services provider with enterprise security guarding, monitoring and intelligence capabilities. Its broad portfolio overlaps DeterTech's managed site security and crime intelligence offerings for large commercial and infrastructure clients.
• Corps Security: Corps Security is a long-established UK manned guarding and security services provider holding SIA ACS status across multiple disciplines. While broader than DeterTech's focused site security offering, it competes for the same enterprise security budgets at construction, infrastructure and government clients.
• Securitas UK: Securitas is one of the world's largest security services groups with broad UK operations across guarding, technology and remote monitoring. Its site security and remote monitoring capabilities overlap with DeterTech's PID360 and Alarm Receiving Centre services for enterprise and critical infrastructure customers.
• Sunbelt Rentals UK: Sunbelt Rentals provides temporary site security and CCTV rental solutions to UK construction and infrastructure clients, including solar and utility customers. It competes with DeterTech's fully-managed site security services in the same construction-site end market.

Regional players

• Banham (Banham Security Group): Banham is a historic London-based home and business security specialist offering locks, alarms and monitored security services. It is comparable as a UK security brand distributing through both consumer and enterprise channels, similar to SmartWater's home, business and church pack distribution model.

Direct peers

• VPS Group: VPS Group is a UK specialist in vacant property and site security, providing temporary intruder detection, CCTV monitoring and managed services to construction and infrastructure clients. It competes head-to-head with DeterTech's PID360 and DTSentinel offerings on construction site deployments across the UK.
• SelectaDNA: SelectaDNA is a Netherlands-based provider of forensic DNA marking products that share SmartWater's core proposition - traceable liquids linking assets to owners for theft deterrence and conviction. It is the most direct global comparator to SmartWater's SmartTrace/SmartSpray product line, competing for the same police and insurer endorsements.
• DataDot Technology: DataDot Technology produces microdot forensic identification systems for asset marking, similar in use case to SmartWater's forensic liquid. Its UK arm sells to construction, agricultural and consumer markets, putting it in direct competition for the same insurance and trade-channel partnerships that Smartwater Group monetizes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SmartWaterGrp_
• Facebookfacebook.com/DeterTechUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detertech
• Instagraminstagram.com/detertech_

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Smartwater Group