How Will Ovivo Rebuild to Full Size in 10 Years After the Ecolab Deal?

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⬇️ IN THIS EPISODE ⬇️

Ovivo is a global water treatment technology provider entering a transformative new chapter after spinning off its electronics division to Ecolab for $1.8 billion. Under Ski on Water's ownership, Ovivo is now positioning itself for aggressive growth through industrial expansion, silicon carbide membrane innovation, and PFAS destruction capabilities across North America and Europe.

This episode features Reinhard Hubner, CEO of SKion Water with years of water industry M&A experience; Elena Bailey, Director at Ovivo North America with decades of experience in water technology who joined through an acquisition in 2006; Mike Snodgrass, membrane technology specialist with 25+ years experience including hands-on polymeric membrane development; and Sebastian Andreassen, co-founder and leader of Ovivo's Cembrane silicon carbide membrane manufacturing operations with facilities in Denmark and Texas.

🌶️ KEY SPICES 🌶️

🔬 Silicon carbide membranes deliver breakthrough flux rates at low pressure with hydrophilic, chemically inert properties that outperform polymeric alternatives

💧 Double-digit percentage R&D investment funds innovation without a centralized research department—product managers drive patented solutions

🏭 European industrial expertise from a decade of experience in operations transfers directly to North American expansion through people-first integration

⚗️ PFAS destruction technology from E2Metrix leverages existing municipal customer relationships for rapid market entry

🤝 Long-term ownership culture keeps acquired company founders engaged for 7-9+ years post-acquisition

🥜 IN A NUTSHELL 🥜

What is the 10-year vision for Ovivo? SKion Water plans to rebuild Ovivo to its pre-transaction size through industrial platform acquisitions in North America, silicon carbide membrane scaling, and PFAS treatment commercialization.

Why focus on industrial water treatment? Municipal operations run independently with proven teams, while industrial requires European expertise transfer and platform acquisitions to replicate the 350 million euro success achieved through EnviroChemie.

How does Cembrane's silicon carbide differentiate? Unlike polymeric membranes, silicon carbide is hydrophilic, extremely porous, and chemically inert—enabling applications in drinking water, sand filter replacement, and backwash recovery that competitors cannot match.

What are the capacity expansion plans? Cembrane's manufacturing will increase 50% in 2026 and double by 2027, with Texas production providing tariff protection and BABA compliance for North American municipal projects.

Where does PFAS fit the strategy? E2Metrix destruction technology pairs with existing SSE membrane installations at water plants, creating bundled solutions that leverage Ovivo's installed base relationships with municipal customers.

#️⃣ Mentioned Links #️⃣

Ovivo's website: https://www.ovivowater.com/en/

My WEFTEC coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAb9bDjpOsE

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