H2O
H2O GmbH is a German manufacturer of VACUDEST vacuum distillation systems that enable zero liquid discharge in industrial wastewater treatment, serving 1,700+ enterprise customers across 40+ countries in automotive, surface technology, electronics, aviation, and other manufacturing sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersSteinen, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What H2O does
H2O GmbH is a German manufacturer of industrial wastewater recycling systems headquartered in Steinen, Baden-Württemberg. The company designs, builds, and services the VACUDEST line of vacuum distillation systems, which evaporate water from industrial wastewater under vacuum, condense and recover clean distillate, and concentrate contaminants — enabling zero liquid discharge (ZLD) for manufacturing operations. The proprietary technology stack includes the core VACUDEST system, a self-cleaning heat exchanger branded Activepowerclean (introduced 2000), oil-removal Clearcat, COD-compliance Purecat, pH-control Destcontrol, touch-control Vacutouch, distillate-polishing Oxydest, and a post-concentrator branded VACUDEST ZLD. Underlying technology traces to 1985/1986 vacuum distillation units originally introduced at Mannesmann Demag Wittig; H2O GmbH was formed in 1999 via management buy-out of the vacuum distillation branch of Gardner Denver Wittig and has continuously developed the platform since, with ISO 9001 certification (2024-2027) governing quality management.
H2O generates revenue from capital equipment sales of VACUDEST systems (sized from XS at 40 l/h through XXL), recurring spare parts and consumables, and professional services including lifecycle management, maintenance, e-Service, hotline, training, and re-engineering, supplemented by consulting and engineering work centered on its in-house Application Center. The customer base spans 1,700+ enterprises across 40+ countries, with named logos including AUDI AG, Sony DADC Austria, Montblanc, Harting AG, Jet Aviation, SIKA, RDO Springs, Sea Link, and CAPSA. Eight primary verticals are served: surface technology, automotive, aviation/MRO, electronics, metal working, chemicals/pharmaceuticals/healthcare, energy generation, and waste disposal/recycling. Customer-facing economics cited include up to 95% reduction in wastewater disposal costs, 90-99% water recovery rates, and 1.5-3 year payback periods.
H2O goes to market through direct enterprise field sales with regional area sales managers covering Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Poland, USA, and Mexico, supplemented by three wholly-owned subsidiaries in China (Kunshan), Poland (Poznan), and Switzerland (Muttenz), and a network of channel and service partners across approximately 12 additional countries. Demand generation runs through industry trade shows (IFAT, Surface Technology, PaintExpo, EuroBLECH, Global Industrie), an active multilingual website with ratgeber content, webinars, and a substantial case-study library. The company is privately held and owner-managed, with Matthias Fickenscher as Managing Director and controlling shareholder.
H2O firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- H2O
- Legal name
- H2O GmbH
- Website
- https://h2o-de.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- H2O GmbH is a German manufacturer of VACUDEST vacuum distillation systems that enable zero liquid discharge in industrial wastewater treatment, serving 1,700+ enterprise customers across 40+ countries in automotive, surface technology, electronics, aviation, and other manufacturing sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
H2O industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Wastewater Treatment Equipment
- NAICS
- Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)
- SIC
- Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Parts Washing & Degreasing Equipment (IMAHALAD)
Keywords
Where H2O is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Steinen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
H2O business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- VACUDEST Systems Sales: Sale of vacuum distillation equipment including VACUDEST XS through XXL models. One-time capital equipment purchase with options for customization and capacity. Equipment includes base systems plus add-on modules like Clearcat, Purecat, and ZLD.
- Spare Parts and Consumables: Replacement parts, system cleaners, defoamers and operating materials. Consumables are selected for specific applications in the application center for wastewater-free production.
- Service and Maintenance: Customer Care services including maintenance, installation and commissioning, hotline support, e-Service, training, re-engineering, and on-site service. Lifecycle management and financing options also available.
- Consulting and Engineering: Wastewater consulting including wastewater analysis, solution planning, and process optimization. Application center for testing and validating solutions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
H2O product offering
Product offeringCore offering
H2O GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells VACUDEST vacuum distillation systems that treat industrial wastewater by evaporating water under vacuum and recovering it as clean distillate, enabling zero liquid discharge (ZLD) production. The company also supplies add-on technologies (Clearcat, Purecat, Activepowerclean, Destcontrol, Vacutouch, Oxydest), consulting, installation, and lifecycle services to industrial customers worldwide.
Product overview
H2O offers the VACUDEST product line - a platform of vacuum distillation systems for industrial wastewater treatment achieving zero liquid discharge. The core VACUDEST system comes in capacity sizes from XS to XXL (40 l/h and above). Supporting technologies include add-on modules like Clearcat (oil removal), Purecat (COD compliance), Activepowerclean (self-cleaning heat exchanger), Destcontrol (pH control), Vacutouch (machine control), and Oxydest (final polish). VACUDEST ZLD serves as a post-concentrator for enhanced treatment. The company also offers VACUDEST Circular for refurbished systems. All products are backed by consulting, engineering, lifecycle management, and customer care services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VACUDEST: The core vacuum distillation technology system for industrial wastewater treatment enabling zero liquid discharge production.
- VACUDEST ZLD
- Clearcat
- Purecat
- Activepowerclean
- Destcontrol
- Vacutouch
- Oxydest
- VACUDEST Circular
Products and services
- VACUDEST Vacuum Distillation System H2O's main vacuum distillation system for industrial wastewater treatment that achieves zero liquid discharge by evaporating wastewater under vacuum and recovering clean water as distillate. Sold in capacity sizes from XS (40 l/h) to XXL.
- VACUDEST ZLD Post-Concentrator Standalone post-concentrator system that enables enhanced zero liquid discharge results by further concentrating residual waste after the primary VACUDEST treatment step.
- VACUDEST Circular (Refurbished Systems Program) Refurbished second-hand VACUDEST systems program offering customers previously used vacuum distillation units that have been reconditioned for long-term reliable operation.
- Wastewater Consulting and Engineering Services Professional wastewater consulting services including wastewater analysis, custom solution planning, and process optimization, performed at H2O's in-house application center for wastewater-free production.
- Customer Care (Maintenance, Installation, Spare Parts, Training) Lifecycle services for installed VACUDEST systems including maintenance, installation and commissioning, hotline support, e-Service, spare parts, training, re-engineering, and on-site service, plus leasing and financing options.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 95% reduction in wastewater disposal costs through local water recovery
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use H2O
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
H2O technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
H2O partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kontek Ecology Systems Inc.coreAuthorized sales and service partner for Canada and USA. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service in Burlington, Ontario.
- FinnSonic OycoreSales partner for Finland. Located in Lahti, Finland.
- Aquaprox I-TechcoreSales partner for France. Located in Cergy-Pontoise, France.
- Tanhay CorporationcoreSales partner for Korea. Located in Incheon, Republic of Korea.
- INERCO ITC S.A.coreSales partner for Spain (Madrid, Sevilla) and Chile. Part of INERCO group providing environmental technology solutions.
- UNIWES Engineering (S) Pte LtdcoreSales partner for Singapore. Located in Paya Ubi Industrial Park.
- Hardtest Ipari Kereskedelmi Kft.coreSales partner for Hungary. Located in Budapest.
- Eco-Vision bvbacoreService partner for Belgium. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service. Located in As, Belgium.
- LiquidSkycoreService partner for India. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service. Located in Pune, India.
- Ultraseal Malaysia Sdn BhdcoreService partner for Malaysia. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service. Located in Subang Jaya.
- Washwater Systems WW ABcoreService partner for Sweden. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service. Located in Järfälla, Sweden.
- Kulstof s.r.o.coreService partner for Czech Republic and Slovakia. Handles installations, spare parts, and on-site service. Located in Prague.
- Blue CompetenceminorAlliance Partner of the Blue Competence sustainability initiative. Commits to twelve Sustainability Guidelines of the Mechanical Engineering Industry.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
H2O competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Suez Water Technologies & Solutions (now Veolia): Major industrial water treatment provider with evaporation, ZLD, and chemical treatment offerings. Comparable customer base (automotive, chemicals, metal finishing) and competes with H2O on integrated ZLD solutions for large manufacturers.
- GEA Group: Industrial process equipment manufacturer with evaporation and separation technologies used in food, chemical, and wastewater applications. Comparable in offering vacuum-evaporation based process systems with broader portfolio and larger engineering scale than H2O.
- Evoqua Water Technologies: Industrial and commercial water and wastewater treatment provider serving similar end markets including metal finishing, automotive, and aerospace. Overlap in industrial process water reuse and ZLD applications against H2O's specialty vacuum distillation offering.
- Alfa Laval: Global industrial equipment manufacturer with separation and heat transfer technology including evaporation and distillation systems for industrial wastewater treatment. Provides similar process engineering capabilities across H2O's served verticals with broader scale and global service network.
- Veolia Water Technologies: Global leader in industrial water treatment including ZLD and evaporation technologies. Direct overlap in industrial wastewater recycling for surface treatment, chemicals, and manufacturing; competes as a much larger, broader portfolio incumbent against H2O's specialized vacuum distillation niche.
Others
- Busch Vacuum Solutions: European-headquartered (Germany) vacuum pump manufacturer with global industrial vacuum technology portfolio. Adjacent enabling technology to H2O's vacuum distillation systems with overlapping German industrial customer base.
- Atlas Copco (Vacuum Technique): Global vacuum pump and system manufacturer including industrial vacuum technology used in process applications. Adjacent enabling technology supplier to H2O's vacuum distillation platform rather than a direct wastewater treatment competitor.
Direct peers
- Bucher Unipektin (Bucher Group): Swiss industrial evaporation and drying equipment manufacturer with vacuum evaporator systems for industrial wastewater treatment. Most direct comparable in vacuum distillation technology, modular systems, and European manufacturing heritage with similar customer types in surface finishing and chemicals.
- Atmospheric Systems (SMS group) / Rochem: Manufacturer of vacuum distillation and evaporation systems for industrial wastewater recycling with similar technology approach to H2O's VACUDEST. Competes in same European surface treatment and metal finishing markets with comparable system sizing and modular configurations.
Emerging players
- Condorchem Enviro Solutions: Spanish provider of industrial wastewater treatment including evaporation and zero liquid discharge solutions. Comparable offering to H2O for surface treatment and metal finishing customers in Southern Europe and Latin America (H2O's INERCO partner covers overlapping Spain/Chile geography).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
H2O social profiles
Digital presenceH2O compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
H2O financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
H2O leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
H2O subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
H2O funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
H2O 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 H2O
What does H2O do?
H2O GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells VACUDEST vacuum distillation systems that treat industrial wastewater by evaporating water under vacuum and recovering it as clean distillate, enabling zero liquid discharge (ZLD) production. The company also supplies add-on technologies (Clearcat, Purecat, Activepowerclean, Destcontrol, Vacutouch, Oxydest), consulting, installation, and lifecycle services to industrial customers worldwide.
Is H2O a public or private company?
H2O is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was H2O founded?
H2O was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is H2O based?
H2O is headquartered in Steinen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does H2O make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. VACUDEST Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts and Consumables, service and Maintenance and consulting and Engineering.
Who are H2O's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Suez Water Technologies & Solutions (now Veolia), GEA Group, Evoqua Water Technologies, Alfa Laval and Veolia Water Technologies. Others are Busch Vacuum Solutions and Atlas Copco (Vacuum Technique). Direct peers are Bucher Unipektin (Bucher Group) and Atmospheric Systems (SMS group) / Rochem. Condorchem Enviro Solutions is listed as an emerging player.
Does H2O have an API?
No public API is recorded for H2O.
What industry is H2O in?
H2O's product category is Industrial Wastewater Treatment Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHANAD, Vacuum Pumps & Systems, with a secondary code of IMAHALAD, Parts Washing & Degreasing Equipment. Its NAICS code is 33391 and its SIC code is 3430.