AMCON

What AMCON does

AMCON INC. is a privately held Japanese environmental-equipment manufacturer founded in 1974 and headquartered in Yokohama, with a workforce of 51–100 employees. The company's core business is the design, manufacture, and global sale of sludge dewatering presses under the VOLUTE™ and VOLUTE DUO™ brands. Its flagship technology uses an alternating fixed-and-moving-ring filter element driven by twin screws (the VOLUTE DUO™ architecture is protected by U.S. Patent No. 12,024,448 B2), delivering clog-free operation on oily, fibrous, and inorganic sludge at 2–4 rpm with approximately 65% lower power consumption than centrifugal dewatering machines. Complementary offerings include sludge thickeners, sludge dryers, polymer make-up systems, the OLPAS cake-dryness sensor, and a specialized TV-50F press for semiconductor waste dry-film photoresist.

AMCON makes money primarily through direct hardware sales of capital equipment to industrial and municipal wastewater operators, supplemented by usage-based equipment rental, polymer/chemical consumables, water-quality and environmental testing services, and 24-hour plumbing maintenance in Japan. Go-to-market combines a Japan domestic sales force with a 15-country/region distributor network and wholly-owned regional subsidiaries in the Czech Republic, China (Fujian), and Mexico, plus a 2026 India joint venture with SBSEnviro Aqua Concepts. Customer segments are split across industrial wastewater treatment and municipal sewage (primary verticals), with secondary exposure to recycling, environmental testing, and building facilities management. Reference customers include Ieshima Sewage Purification Center (Japan), United Utilities at Davyhulme (UK), semiconductor package manufacturers, and recycling plants in the Netherlands, Poland, and Mexico; equipment has been deployed in 78 countries and regions worldwide.

Name

AMCON

Legal name

AMCON INC.

Website

https://amcon-jp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AMCON INC. is a privately held Japanese manufacturer (founded 1974, Yokohama) that designs and sells VOLUTE™ and VOLUTE DUO™ twin-screw sludge dewatering presses, water-quality testing, and plumbing maintenance services for industrial wastewater operators, municipal sewage plants, and buildings across 78 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sludge Treatment Equipment Sales: Sale of sludge dewatering presses including VOLUTE DUO™ HR Series, VOLUTE™ DW Series, VOLUTE™ GS Series, and Waste Dry Film Photoresist Dewatering Press TV-50F. Products are sold directly through sales representatives and through distributor network across 15+ countries.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental of sludge dewatering presses offered to customers who want to test equipment before purchase, or as replacement machines during service periods of existing dewatering machines or during construction periods of wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Water Quality Testing and Environmental Analysis: Water quality analysis, environmental analysis (air and soil), bacterial testing, component analysis, microscopic observation. Services offered through legally certified inspection agency.
4. Plumbing Systems Maintenance: Building facilities maintenance including 24-hour emergency maintenance support, periodic inspections, cleaning services, facility repair work, and drain cleaning for detached residences. Offered only in Japan.
5. Water Treatment Chemicals: Sale of water treatment chemicals including polymers for sludge treatment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AMCON INC. designs, manufactures, and sells sludge dewatering presses (VOLUTE™ and VOLUTE DUO™ series), complementary sludge treatment equipment, and water treatment chemicals. The company also provides water quality testing and environmental analysis services through a legally certified inspection agency, and operates 24-hour plumbing maintenance services for buildings and apartments in Japan. Products are sold directly and through a distributor network spanning 15+ countries.

Product overview

AMCON is an environmental equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of sludge treatment and water quality solutions. The core product line centers on VOLUTE™ and VOLUTE DUO™ sludge dewatering presses, available in multiple series (HR/RVP, GS, DW, FS) designed for different applications including municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, and sewage treatment. The portfolio includes complementary equipment such as sludge thickeners, dryers, polymer make-up systems, and the OLPAS cake dryness sensor for process monitoring. Specialized offerings include the TV-50F waste dry film photoresist dewatering press for semiconductor manufacturing. Beyond equipment, AMCON provides water treatment chemicals (polymers), water quality testing and environmental analysis services, and 24-hour plumbing maintenance services primarily in Japan. The company operates globally with sales presence in 15 countries and regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VOLUTE DUO: Next-generation twin-screw sludge dewatering press with extended consumable parts life and clog-free operation for various sludge types including fibrous and inorganic materials.
• VOLUTE
• AMCON 24

Products and services

• VOLUTE DUO™ Dewatering Press (HR Series/RVP Series) Next-generation twin-screw sludge dewatering press for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants, featuring clog-free operation for highly fibrous and inorganic sludge with approximately 65% power consumption reduction compared to centrifugal dewatering machines.
• VOLUTE™ Dewatering Press GS Series High-end sludge dewatering press equipped with Thickening Flocculation Unit (TFU) that improves throughput by approximately 50% compared to conventional machines, with VAS (VOLUTE™ Antilock System) to prevent overload stoppage.
• VOLUTE™ Dewatering Press DW Series Multi-disc screw press dewatering machine authorized by Japan Sewage Works Agency as New Technologies Category 1, designed for sewage treatment plants with oxidation ditch process, capable of direct dewatering from aeration tanks without pre-thickening.
• Waste Dry Film Photoresist Dewatering Press TV-50F Specialized dewatering press for waste dry film photoresist from semiconductor package manufacturing that reduces waste volume by approximately 44% and improves handling safety of highly alkaline materials.
• Water Treatment Chemicals (Polymers) Chemical products including polymers used for sludge conditioning and flocculation in the dewatering process.
• Water Quality Testing and Environmental Analyses Legally certified inspection agency providing water quality analysis, environmental analysis (air and soil), bacterial testing, component analysis, and microscopic observation services.
• Maintenance of Plumbing Systems 24-hour emergency maintenance support, periodic inspections, cleaning services, facility repair work, and drain cleaning for detached residences, offered only in Japan.
• Rental of Sludge Dewatering Presses Equipment rental service allowing customers to evaluate machine performance before purchase or use as replacement during existing equipment servicing or construction periods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% power consumption reduction compared to centrifugal dewatering machine for processing one ton of dry sludge
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SBSEnviro Aqua Concepts Pvt. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Local sales partner in India collaborating with AMCON to establish joint venture AMCON-SBS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED. The joint venture aims to expand business in India by establishing local production system for sludge dewatering equipment, sourcing key components from local suppliers and conducting final assembly at local factory.
• AMCON-SBS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITEDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Joint venture company established March 31, 2026 between AMCON INC. and SBSEnviro Aqua Concepts Pvt. Ltd. Aims to expand business in India by establishing local production system for AMCON's core product - sludge dewatering equipment. Plans to internalize production of key components and expand product lineup to include dissolved air flotation systems and sludge dryers. Positioned as key hub in South Asia with export potential to neighboring countries.
• Hiro Engineering Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025AMCON acquired all shares of Hiro Engineering Co., Ltd., making it a fully owned subsidiary. Hiro Engineering has over 50 years of experience since establishment in 1973 as analytical division of Hirose Kogyo Co., Ltd. Specializes in environmental inspection services (drinking water testing, wastewater analysis, air quality measurement, exhaust gas measurement) and since 2005 has expanded into design, construction, and maintenance of water treatment facilities.
• Tecpro Ambiental S.A De C.V.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 August 2024Partner in Mexico exhibiting AMCON products at Aquatech Mexico 2024 and Aneas 2024. Sales representatives introduce AMCON products at partner exhibitions.
• EvergreenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 October 2021UK distributor collaborating with British sewage treatment facility operator United Utilities on decarbonization project at Davyhulme (one of largest sewage treatment facilities in Europe in Manchester, UK). 12-month demonstration experiment replacing centrifugal dewatering machine with VOLUTE Dewatering Press.
• United UtilitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2021British sewage treatment facility operation company conducting 12-month demonstration experiment with Evergreen (AMCON's UK distributor) and AMCON to achieve decarbonization of Davyhulme sewage treatment facility. Initial results posted on United Utilities website.
• Japan Sewage Works AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2021Joint research partner with AMCON in 1998 that demonstrated first-ever direct dewatering from oxidation ditch in the world. DW series certified by Japan Sewage Works Agency as New Technologies Category 1.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Environnement: French multinational water and waste management services giant operating across the full wastewater treatment value chain including equipment, operations, and services. Overlaps with AMCON as a large-scale buyer and competitor of sludge dewatering technology within a much broader portfolio.
• Xylem Inc. US-based global water technology company offering pumps, treatment systems, and metering across municipal and industrial water/wastewater. Broad incumbent that competes with AMCON in integrated treatment solutions while operating at vastly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Huber SE: German manufacturer of wastewater treatment equipment including screw presses, belt thickeners, and sludge dewatering machines. Directly comparable to AMCON's VOLUTE multi-disc screw press line for municipal and industrial applications.
• Alfa Laval: Swedish manufacturer of decanter centrifuges used for sludge thickening and dewatering across municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. Competes with AMCON's press technology as an alternative dewatering solution for the same customer base.
• Flottweg SE: German specialist in decanter centrifuges and belt presses for sludge dewatering in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. Competes directly with AMCON's press solutions as an alternative mechanical dewatering technology.
• Andritz AG: Austrian industrial group that supplies sludge dewatering presses (belt presses, screw presses), thickeners, and dryers to municipal and industrial customers globally. Direct competitor to AMCON's VOLUTE DUO and VOLUTE product lines in the same screw/belt press category.
• Komline-Sanderson Engineering: US-based privately-held manufacturer of sludge dewatering and drying equipment including belt filter presses, screw presses, and sludge dryers. Closely comparable mid-sized industrial competitor in the same product category.
• Centrisys / CNP Technology: US-based manufacturer of dewatering and thickening centrifuges for municipal and industrial sludge applications. Competes with AMCON's press technology, particularly in the North American market where AMCON operates via its Mexico subsidiary.
• BHS Filtration: German manufacturer of filtration, washing, and dewatering equipment including pressure belt filters and filter presses for sludge treatment. Direct competitor to AMCON in the industrial and municipal sludge dewatering segment.
• Fournier Industries: Canadian manufacturer of screw presses for sludge dewatering across municipal and industrial applications. Closely comparable mid-sized player competing with AMCON's VOLUTE screw press technology in North American and select global markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Amcon-eu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 AMCON