Biotop
Biotop P&P International GmbH designs and supplies patented chemical-free biofiltration technology for natural swimming pools, selling exclusively through a global network of nearly 90 certified installation partners serving residential, hospitality, and public-sector customers across 18+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersWeidling, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Biotop does
Biotop P&P International GmbH, headquartered in Weidling, Klosterneuburg, Austria, designs and supplies technology for chemical-free natural swimming pools and swimming ponds. Founded in 1985 by Peter Petrich as a natural-pool pioneer, the company holds patents on its Living Pool biofilter, the PhosTec Upstream phosphate filter, and the Biotop Carbonator pH-stabilization system, which together enable biological water purification without chlorine. The product portfolio centers on two core lines: Swimming Ponds, which combine a bathing zone with a plant-based regeneration zone, and Living Pools, subterranean-filtered pools that resemble conventional chlorine pools; supplementary modules include PhosTec Ultra, Carbonator, UVC disinfection units, and biofilm-based biofilters.
The company operates a channel-only go-to-market model, selling proprietary hardware and components exclusively through a global network of nearly 90 certified installation partners across 18+ countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. It does not sell direct to consumers; customers request catalogues and are referred to local partners through the corporate website and country-specific microsites. Revenue is generated from initial system sales (€60,000-€110,000 per installation for a 3x7m swimming pond), recurring replacement filter and parts revenue across the 9,000-9,500 installed pool base, and partner training/support services. Customer segments include private homeowners, hotels and resorts, architecture and landscape-planning professionals, and public facilities. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Biotop Wassergestaltung T&P GmbH, handles service management, planning, renovation, and construction supervision. Leadership is held by Owner and Managing Director Helene Polak, Managing Director Marion Hanek, and Head of Technology & R&D Dr. Jakob Schelker.
Biotop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Biotop
- Legal name
- Biotop P&P International GmbH
- Website
- https://gb.bio.top
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Biotop P&P International GmbH designs and supplies patented chemical-free biofiltration technology for natural swimming pools, selling exclusively through a global network of nearly 90 certified installation partners serving residential, hospitality, and public-sector customers across 18+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Biotop industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Natural Swimming Pool Systems
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Aquaculture (11251)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pool Decking & Surrounds (HSAPALAK), Aquatic Centers & Swimming Facilities (MPAKAEAF)
Keywords
Where Biotop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Weidling
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Biotop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Natural Pool Construction & Systems: Sale of complete natural pool systems including proprietary filter technology, equipment, and components to certified installation partners who then build pools for end customers
- Partner Support & Training: Ongoing support, training, and technology licensing to certified partners in the global network
- Filter Equipment & Replacement Parts: Sale of replacement filters, PhosTec components, and maintenance equipment for existing installations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Swimming Pond 3x7m - Complete installation |
| Other | Annual | Swimming Pond operating costs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Biotop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Biotop designs, manufactures, and supplies proprietary natural swimming pool systems through a global network of certified installation partners. The company offers two core product lines: Swimming Ponds (natural pools with plant-based regeneration zones) and Living Pools (chlorine-free pools with subterranean biological filtration). Supporting proprietary technologies include the PhosTec phosphate filter, Biotop Carbonator for pH stabilization, biofilm-based biofilters, and optional UVC disinfection units, all enabling complete chemical-free water treatment.
Product overview
Biotop offers a portfolio of natural swimming solutions centered on two core product lines: Swimming Ponds and Living Pools. Swimming Ponds combine a bathing zone with a plant-based regeneration zone that leverages natural self-cleaning properties, requiring no chemicals. Living Pools provide the aesthetic of conventional pools but use subterranean bio filters and PhosTec phosphate filters for biological treatment. Supporting these core products are add-on modules including PhosTec Ultra phosphate filters, the Carbonator for pH stabilization, UVC disinfection units, and biofilm-based biofilter systems. The company also publishes reference materials and hosts the annual Biotop Design Awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Swimming Pond A natural swimming pool that combines a swimming zone with a regeneration zone featuring aquatic plants, using the self-cleaning properties of nature without chemicals. Built by certified Biotop partners for residential gardens, hotels, resorts, and public facilities.
- Living Pool An organic version of a conventional swimming pool that looks like a traditional pool but uses subterranean biotop bio filters and PhosTec Upstream phosphate filters for natural biological water treatment without chlorine or chemicals. Approximately 25% of Biotop installations are Living Pools.
- Biotop Biofilter System Subterranean biological filter with large surfaces covered with biofilms and degrading bacteria that break down organic materials and cells. Adapted biofilms specialize in decomposition of organic material; bacteria and viruses are efficiently broken down. Sold to certified partners for installation in Living Pools.
- PhosTec Upstream Phosphate Filter A specially developed phosphate filter that removes phosphates from water using minerals to limit algae formation. Used in Living Pools and as part of Biotop's filtration systems to enable chemical-free water clarity.
- Biotop Carbonator A pH stabilization technology that uses naturally produced CO2 to maintain optimal water balance, contributing to economical and long-lasting pool operation without chemical additives. Sold to certified partners as a component of Biotop pool systems.
- UVC Disinfection Units Optional ultraviolet disinfection units that break up cells (especially single-celled algae) and enable rapid degradation by the biofilter. Only switched on temporarily and after increased bathing activity.
- Partner Support, Training & Technology Licensing Comprehensive support services to certified installation partners including extensive training at Biotop headquarters, technical support, marketing materials, access to proprietary technologies, annual partner events, and design award competitions. Sold to the global network of nearly 90 certified installation partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9,000+ chlorine-free pool systems operating worldwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Biotop
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Biotop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Biotop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Biotop Certified Installation PartnerscoreNearly 90 certified partners worldwide who build and install Biotop natural pool systems. Partners receive extensive training at Biotop headquarters, technical support, access to proprietary technologies, marketing materials, and participate in annual partner events and design awards. Partners operate independently as local businesses.
- Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd (UK)coreUK partner that built King's Cross Pond Club - the UK's first public natural swimming pond in 2015. Specializes in natural pool construction and maintenance.
- Poolscape Ltd (UK)coreUK partner that designed and built the 432m² natural pool at Love2Stay glamping resort near Shrewsbury in collaboration with landscape architects MOSAIC.
- Ellicar Pools (UK)coreAward-winning UK partner; won Biotop Design Award 2024 Swimming Pond category and Partners 1st Choice Award with Marlow Nature Pool project.
- Maute Garten (Germany)coreGerman partner; won 1st place in Biotop Design Award 2025 Living Pool category with 'Architecture Meets Nature' project.
- Koninklijke Ginkel Groep (Netherlands)coreDutch partner; won Biotop Design Award 2025 Swimming Pond category with 'Rock Garden' project featuring creative natural stone integration.
- Natural Swimming Pools AustraliacoreAustralian partner (Wayne Zwar and Annika Kvist); won Houses Award 2016 Outdoor Category and exhibited at Venice Architecture Biennale with Fairfield Pool project.
- Sallmann GmbH (Germany)coreGerman partner; won Biotop Design Award 2025 Conversion & Refurbishment category with 'Second Attempt' project.
- Lütkemeyer Ihr Gärtner von Eden (Germany)coreGerman partner; won Best Ager Swimming Pond 2025 for 'Die Welle Gütersloh' - first public Biotop pool in Germany built in 1998.
- Geoblauw Ecozwembaden (Belgium)coreBelgian partner; won Best Ager Living Pool 2025 for a pool built in 2014.
- Garten Wammes (Austria)coreAustrian partner; won Biotop Design Award 2024 Living Pool category with Berghimmel indoor pool concept.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Biotop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pentair: Global water-treatment and pool-equipment incumbent with filtration, pumps, and increasingly low-chemical/smart-pool systems; represents the broad incumbent Biotop competes against in pool equipment.
- Hayward Holdings: US-listed pool equipment manufacturer offering pumps, filters, heaters, and automation; broad incumbent whose smart/connected product roadmap is the principal competitive reference point for Biotop's modernisation trajectory.
- Fluidra: Spanish-listed global pool and wellness equipment group (AstralPool, Zodiac); a broad incumbent serving the residential and commercial pool market with a full hardware portfolio overlapping Biotop's filtration niche.
Direct peers
- Garten Wammes: Austrian landscape/natural-pool specialist and Biotop Design Award 2024 winner; an Austrian peer in natural-pool construction that both partners with and competes with Biotop at the project level.
- Koninklijke Ginkel Groep: Dutch landscape and natural-pool specialist (Biotop Design Award 2025 winner); a regional direct peer in the Benelux market both partnering with and competing alongside Biotop.
- Clear Water Revival: UK natural swimming pool specialist offering design, build, and maintenance of chemical-free ponds; competes with Biotop's UK partner network for residential and commercial natural-pool projects.
- BioNova Natural Pools: US-based designer and builder of natural swimming pools and ponds using biological filtration, directly competing with Biotop's chlorine-free approach in the North American residential market.
- Kingcombe Aquacare: UK natural-pool construction and maintenance specialist; built King's Cross Pond Club and is a Biotop UK partner, making it a direct functional peer in natural-pool delivery.
Others
- Culligan International: Global water-treatment company with residential filtration, softening, and purification offerings; relevant adjacency as Biotop's biofiltration/PhosTec technology could eventually compete in household water-treatment channels.
Emerging players
- Natural Swimming Pools Australia: Australian natural-pool designer-builder and Biotop partner (Venice Biennale 2016 exhibitor); a regional peer serving the same chlorine-free natural-pool category in Oceania.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Biotop social profiles
Digital presenceBiotop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Biotop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Biotop subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Biotop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Biotop 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 Biotop
What does Biotop do?
Biotop designs, manufactures, and supplies proprietary natural swimming pool systems through a global network of certified installation partners. The company offers two core product lines: Swimming Ponds (natural pools with plant-based regeneration zones) and Living Pools (chlorine-free pools with subterranean biological filtration). Supporting proprietary technologies include the PhosTec phosphate filter, Biotop Carbonator for pH stabilization, biofilm-based biofilters, and optional UVC disinfection units, all enabling complete chemical-free water treatment.
Is Biotop a public or private company?
Biotop is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Biotop founded?
Biotop was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Biotop based?
Biotop is headquartered in Weidling, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Biotop make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Natural Pool Construction & Systems are the primary driver. The others are partner Support & Training and filter Equipment & Replacement Parts.
Who are Biotop's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pentair, Hayward Holdings and Fluidra. Direct peers are Garten Wammes, Koninklijke Ginkel Groep, Clear Water Revival, BioNova Natural Pools and Kingcombe Aquacare. Culligan International is listed as an others. Natural Swimming Pools Australia is listed as an emerging player.
Does Biotop have an API?
No public API is recorded for Biotop.
What industry is Biotop in?
Biotop's product category is Natural Swimming Pool Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIALAJ, Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers), with a secondary code of HSAPALAK, Pool Decking & Surrounds. Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 4941.