Söll Group
Söll Group is a privately held German manufacturer founded in 1994 that develops and sells ecological water treatment and care products — including chemical, microbiological, and filter-media solutions — for garden ponds, aquariums, pools, and fountains, distributed globally through retail and direct advisory channels to hobbyist consumers and professional users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersHof, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Söll Group does
Söll Group is a German specialty water-treatment company founded in 1994 by graduate chemist Thomas Willuweit in Hof, Bavaria, and operating under the legal entity Söll GmbH. The company develops and manufactures chemical, microbiological, and technical products for maintaining garden ponds, aquariums, pools, and fountains, anchored by its founding CarbonAdd patent and a broader IP portfolio of more than 100 patents and patent applications spanning technologies such as the SpektroSorp algae-control complex, NitrateRemover biofilm filter medium, and PhosphateBinder media. Its consumer product range covers water stabilizers, algae control, nutrient binding, microbiological cleaners, problem-solvers (oxygen, pH, hardness), plant care, fish food under the Organix brand (MSC Eco Label), and electronic water-analysis tools such as the AQUA-CHECK photometer, alongside a professional water-analysis service.
Söll operates a hybrid B2B/B2C go-to-market: products are distributed globally through specialist pet shops, garden centres, and DIY stores, while the company also engages end customers and trade partners directly via a German toll-free hotline, an international hotline, and field sales representatives that provide seminars, advisory services, and on-site water analyses. The customer base spans home-and-hobby consumers maintaining private ponds and aquariums, Koi enthusiasts, and professional users in public and private organizations including fish farming. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware/product sales with adjacent professional-service revenue from water analysis, and pricing is set at the retail/consumer level without public disclosure.
The company maintains an in-house R&D laboratory with 20+ years of continuous operation, holds DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 certifications, and operates CO2-neutral production. It is a cooperating partner of WWF Germany (since October 2012), a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, and supports the Stiftung Water is Right foundation. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Lavaris Technologies GmbH, houses water-treatment technology activities. Söll employs approximately 80 staff, is privately held with no external investment disclosed, and exhibits no recent M&A or funding activity.
Söll Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Söll Group
- Legal name
- Söll GmbH
- Website
- https://soelltec.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Söll Group is a privately held German manufacturer founded in 1994 that develops and sells ecological water treatment and care products — including chemical, microbiological, and filter-media solutions — for garden ponds, aquariums, pools, and fountains, distributed globally through retail and direct advisory channels to hobbyist consumers and professional users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Söll Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Treatment Products
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Filtration & Water Treatment for Irrigation (Sand/Disc/Screen, Chem Treatment) (AFAAACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK), Irrigation Automation & Controls Services (SCADA, Sensors, Telemetry) (AFACAFAI)
Keywords
Where Söll Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hof
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Söll Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Water Treatment Products: Development and production of chemical, microbiological and technical products including filter technology, UV technology and water meters for garden ponds, aquariums, pools and fountains.
- Ornamental Fish Food: Marketing of high-quality food for ornamental fish and Koi under the trademark Organix sourced from sustainable fishing carrying the MSC Eco Label.
- Water Analysis Services: Professional water analyses offered as part of customer service and support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B wholesale and B2C retail distribution |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Söll Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Söll develops, manufactures and distributes chemical, microbiological and technical water care products for garden ponds, aquariums, pools and fountains, including water stabilisers, algae control agents, nutrient binders, filter media, microbiological cleaning cultures, plant fertilisers and ornamental fish/Koi food under the Organix brand. The company also offers water analysis tools, electronic photometers, test kits and professional laboratory water analysis services, complemented by direct advisory through hotline and field sales staff.
Product overview
Söll Group is a German water treatment and care company founded in 1994, specializing in ecological maintenance products for garden ponds, aquariums, pools, and fountains. The product portfolio consists of chemical, microbiological, and technical products organized into distinct categories: (1) Pond care products including the 1-2-3 System for water stabilization (TeichFit, TeichStarter, PondEssential), algae control (Algosol/AlgoSol, BlanketweedRemover), nutrient binding (P-Lock AlgaeStop, Turbo PhosphatBinder, Zeolith), microbiological products (BioBooster, FilterstarterBacteria, Dr. Roth's ClearPond), problem solvers (OxygenActive, pH-Minus, GH-Plus, PondSludgeRemover), plant care (WaterPlantBooster, WaterLillyFertiliserCones), and pond fish food (POND-GOLD and KoiGold ranges); (2) Aquarium products including water treatment (WaterConditioner, AquaStab), algae control (AlgoSol for Aquariums), the 1-2-3 Fertilizing System (MineralMix, IronMix Fe, DailyFertiliser), nutrient supplements (21Elements, AquaFit), microbiological products (BioAquaStart, BioBooster, AquaClear), and filter materials (PhosphateBinder, NitrateRemover); (3) Pool and fountain care products (AquaDes, AlgenFrei, ZierbrunnenKlar); (4) Water analysis tools (AQUA-CHECK electronic photometer, test kits for pH, KH, GH, ammonia); and (5) Fish food under Organix brand for sustainable fishing. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, has over 100 patents, and operates an in-house laboratory for R&D. A cooperating partner of WWF Germany since 2012.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Organix: Trademark brand for ornamental fish food sourced from sustainable fishing carrying the MSC Eco Label
- Organix Koi-Food Supreme
- Lavaris Technologies GmbH
Products and services
- TeichFit Water stabiliser for garden ponds that stabilises pH and carbonate hardness; part of the Söll 1-2-3 pond care system.
- TeichStarter Starter product for establishing biological balance in new garden ponds.
- Premium KoiStabil Premium water stabiliser specifically formulated for Koi ponds.
- PondEssential Essential water stabiliser for garden ponds, part of the Söll 1-2-3 pond care system.
- AlgoSol Highly effective algae control for all pond algae types using SpektroSorp optical filter technology that blocks algae metabolism and reduces photosynthesis.
- BlanketweedRemover Kills blanket weed algae in ponds within 24 hours via active oxygen release, with follow-up bacteria to break down dead algae.
- P-Lock AlgaeStop Algae prevention product that binds phosphate insolubly, reducing phosphate levels to below 0.035 mg/l.
- PhosLock Phosphate binder for ponds that locks phosphate insolubly to prevent algae growth.
- Turbo PhosphatBinder Super-fast phosphate binder supplied in a ready-to-use mesh bag for rapid reduction of high nutrient concentrations in ponds.
- Zeolith Natural mineral product (Clinoptilolite, 90% purity) that binds ammonium and pollutants, supporting natural water clarification in ponds.
- OxygenActive Immediate action product against acute oxygen deficiency in ponds, keeping water crystal clear.
- PondSludgeRemover Two-component product combining mineral oxidising agent and biological bacteria for effective sludge breakdown in ponds.
- pH-Minus Rapidly lowers high (basic) pH values in ponds, combats ammonia poisoning, and addresses CO2 deficiency in plants.
- GH-Plus Quickly increases general hardness (GH) of pond water, providing calcium for flora and fauna.
- WaterPlantBooster Nutrient complex supporting healthy pond plant growth with iron, without phosphates to avoid algae promotion.
- WaterLillyFertiliserCones Slow-release fertiliser cones for water lilies and aquatic plants, providing macronutrients and trace elements.
- POND-GOLD Food-Flakes All-year-round food flakes for all types of pond fish, rich in protein (40%) with vitamins and trace elements.
- KoiGold Food-Pellets High-quality pellets for all types of Koi, available in 2-6mm sizes for easy ingestion.
- BioBooster (Pond) Billions of natural clear-water bacteria for breaking down organic substances and lowering nitrite/nitrate levels in ponds.
- Dr. Roth's ClearPond Microbiological cleaning product that activates biological breakdown of organic residues in ponds.
- WaterConditioner Tap water treatment for aquariums that neutralises chlorine and heavy metals, and provides vitamins and iodine.
- AquaStab Water stabiliser for aquariums that quickly stabilises pH, KH and GH values and detoxifies nitrite and ammonia poisoning.
- AlgoSol for Aquariums Combats green, beard, brush and blue algae in aquariums with the SpektroSorp active substance that blocks algal metabolism.
- Söll 1-2-3 Fertilising System Three-part fertilisation system for complete aquatic plant nutrition in freshwater aquariums, based on Liebig's Law of the Minimum, comprising MineralMix, IronMix Fe and DailyFertiliser.
- BioBooster (Aquarium) Bacteria cultures with natural denitrifiers (100 million/ml) for effective nitrate removal in freshwater aquariums.
- NitrateRemover Patented filter medium for aquariums using biopolymers (polyhydroxybutyric acid and polycaprolactone) as co-substrate and colonisation surface for natural nitrate reduction through denitrifying bacteria biofilm formation.
- PhosphateBinder (Aquarium) Extra-strong phosphate binder in ready-to-use bag for aquariums that prevents algae plagues; pH neutral and free of heavy metals.
- AQUA-CHECK Electronic photometer for laboratory-accurate water testing readings, used to measure water parameters in ponds and aquariums.
- Labor-Analyse (Professional Laboratory Water Analysis) Professional laboratory water analysis service provided by Söll to customers, including support from field sales representatives.
- AquaDes Disinfection product for swimming pools.
- AlgenFrei Algae treatment product for swimming pools.
- ZierbrunnenKlar Water clarity product for decorative fountains.
- BrunnenDesinfektion Disinfection product for decorative fountains.
- Organix Fish Food Trademark range of high-quality food for ornamental fish and Koi, including Organix Koi-Food Supreme with fresh salmon, herring, shrimps and kelp from Alaska; sourced from sustainable fishing and carrying the MSC Eco Label.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 patents and patent applications protecting Söll innovation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Söll Group
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Söll Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Söll Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WWF Germany (World Wide Fund for Nature)coreSince October 2012, Söll has been a cooperating partner of WWF Germany, supporting nature conservation work. The partnership also involves Söll subsidiary Lavaris Technologies GmbH. WWF's goal is to conserve biodiversity, uniqueness and beauty of nature.
- German Water PartnershipminorRegional network partnership in water sector. Söll shares expertise in water treatment with this network of organizations.
- Kompetenznetzwerk Wasser und Energie Oberfranken-Ost e.V.minorRegional competence network for water and energy in Upper Franconia-East. Söll contributes water treatment expertise to this network.
- Stiftung Water is Right (Water is Right Foundation)minorGlobal non-profit organization supported by Söll. Foundation focuses on water rights and access to clean water globally.
- United Nations Global CompactcoreSöll is a participant in the UN Global Compact, committing to sustainable and responsible business practices aligned with UN principles.
- Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)minorSöll supports environmentally friendly and sustainable fishing industry according to the strict regulations of MSC. The company markets fish food under Organix trademark sourced from sustainable fishing carrying the MSC Eco Label.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Söll Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Velda (The Pond Company): Velda is a Dutch manufacturer specializing in pond care products (water treatments, filters, fish foods, UV systems) serving European garden-pond retailers. It overlaps with Söll in pond water care, water analysis and pond nutrition SKUs.
- Tropical (Tadeusz Ogrodnik): Tropical is a Polish aquarium and pond food and water-care brand serving European hobbyist retail. It is comparable to Söll's Organix/KoiGold fish-food line and adjacent aquarium care chemistries.
- Aquael Sp. z o.o. Aquael is a Polish manufacturer of aquarium equipment, filters, lighting and care products with growing European distribution. It is a comparable regional player in freshwater aquarium water care and pond products.
Direct peers
- JBL GmbH & Co. KG: JBL is a leading German manufacturer of aquarium water treatment products, test kits, foods and care chemicals with a similarly broad product portfolio and direct-to-retail model. As a fellow German specialty brand, JBL is Söll's closest direct peer across pond and aquarium chemistry, testing and analysis.
- Easy Life International B.V. Easy Life is a Dutch specialty manufacturer of aquarium and pond water-treatment products (e.g., EasyCarbo, PhosphateMinus). It is comparable to Söll in product positioning — niche, technical, water-treatment focused — and competes in overlapping European specialty retail.
- Tetra (Spectrum Brands Holdings): Tetra is the global leader in aquarium and pond water care, fish food and treatment chemicals, sold through the same specialist pet, garden centre and DIY retail channels as Söll. Both companies compete head-to-head on water stabilizers, algae control, biological filtration and fish nutrition across consumer and hobbyist segments.
- Sera GmbH: Sera is a German manufacturer of aquarium, pond and terrarium care products including water conditioners, fertilizers and fish foods. The product portfolio and target customer base (hobbyist through specialist retailer) closely mirror Söll's pond and aquarium ranges.
- Oase GmbH: Oase is a German leader in water-garden and pond technology (filters, pumps, UV clarifiers, fountains) and offers complementary water-treatment consumables. The companies overlap significantly in the garden-pond care channel and on filtration/water-clarification equipment.
Broad incumbents
- API / Mars Fishcare: API is a major aquarium water-care brand (water conditioners, master test kits, medications) under Mars Petcare. It competes with Söll in aquarium chemistry and water analysis, with substantially broader retail distribution and parent-company backing.
- Rolf C. Hagen (Fluval, Laguna, Marina): Hagen is a global pet/aquatic products group with brands including Fluval, Laguna and Marina covering aquarium and pond equipment, water care and fish foods. It is a broad incumbent competing with Söll across multiple categories of the same retail channels.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Söll Group social profiles
Digital presenceSöll Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Söll Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Söll Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Söll Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Söll Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Söll Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Söll Group
What does Söll Group do?
Söll develops, manufactures and distributes chemical, microbiological and technical water care products for garden ponds, aquariums, pools and fountains, including water stabilisers, algae control agents, nutrient binders, filter media, microbiological cleaning cultures, plant fertilisers and ornamental fish/Koi food under the Organix brand. The company also offers water analysis tools, electronic photometers, test kits and professional laboratory water analysis services, complemented by direct advisory through hotline and field sales staff.
Is Söll Group a public or private company?
Söll Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Söll Group founded?
Söll Group was founded in 1994. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Söll Group based?
Söll Group is headquartered in Hof, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Söll Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Water Treatment Products are the primary driver. The others are ornamental Fish Food and water Analysis Services.
Who are Söll Group's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Velda (The Pond Company), Tropical (Tadeusz Ogrodnik) and Aquael Sp. z o.o.. Direct peers are JBL GmbH & Co. KG, Easy Life International B.V., Tetra (Spectrum Brands Holdings), Sera GmbH and Oase GmbH. Broad incumbents are API / Mars Fishcare and Rolf C. Hagen (Fluval, Laguna, Marina).
Does Söll Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Söll Group.
What industry is Söll Group in?
Söll Group's product category is Water Treatment Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAACAD, Filtration & Water Treatment for Irrigation (Sand/Disc/Screen, Chem Treatment), with a secondary code of BPABAJAK, Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors). Its NAICS code is 221310 and its SIC code is 3826.