US buy takes Kemira into industrial water treatment services

Kemira has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Nebraska-based Water Engineering for about $150 million, subject to any purchase price adjustments, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close before the end of 2025.

The company said that this “represents a significant strategic milestone”, taking its Water Solutions business into industrial water treatment services, which are expected to grow faster than the traditional municipal and industrial water treatment sectors. Kemira aims to double its water revenue.

Water Engineering supplies chemicals, consultation and services including analytics and testing, water management, legionella management and equipment for boiler and cooling tower uses, in sectors such as food and beverage, manufacturing and healthcare. It has 14 facilities across the US, employs 185 and expects sales of over $60 million this year.

This came just two months after Kemira revealed a planned €20 million investment in a new aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) line at its site in Tarragona, Spain.  The company expects the line to be commissioned in early 2028, following the completion of permitting processes. 

ACH is a high-performance coagulant that is primarily used in drinking water treatment. It has a “significantly higher” aluminium concentration compared to conventional products such as aluminium sulfate and standard polyaluminium chloride, the company said. It is also claimed to offer superior performance in removing colour and particles from raw water, especially during heavy rainfall and flooding, which is a growing issue for many large cities across Europe.

The project is expected to have minimal environmental impact, supported by the use of renewable energy and ongoing evaluation of mitigation measures for the small share of emissions from natural gas usage.It will be built using technology already in use at Kemira’s facilities in the US and Poland.