Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) has completed its previously announced acquisition of Ovivo’s electronics business, strengthening its position in ultrapure water technologies used in semiconductor manufacturing. The deal brings Ovivo Electronics’ specialized capabilities into Ecolab’s Global Water business, expanding the company’s reach across high-growth sectors linked to artificial intelligence, advanced chips, and data center infrastructure.
Ovivo’s electronics unit is a global provider of ultrapure water solutions, a critical requirement in semiconductor fabrication where even trace impurities can affect chip performance and yield. By integrating these technologies, Ecolab is extending its role along the AI value chain, from chip production through to the data centers that support large-scale computing. The acquisition more than doubles the size of Ecolab’s global high-tech growth platform, positioning the company as a major supplier to water-intensive electronics manufacturing environments.
Ecolab said the combination of Ovivo Electronics’ process technologies with its own digital tools, water management expertise, and global service network will allow it to deliver more comprehensive and circular water solutions. These solutions are designed to help semiconductor manufacturers reduce overall water consumption, improve reuse rates, and manage water quality more efficiently as fabs scale to meet rising demand driven by AI and advanced computing.
“By taking an end-to-end approach, we will help customers address water quality, availability and cost, while positively impacting energy, efficiency, productivity, compliance and brand protection,” said Christophe Beck, chairman and chief executive officer of Ecolab. He added that the acquisition supports the company’s broader water circularity strategy and its ambition to enable sustainable production of next-generation microchips.
The transaction also reflects growing attention on water stewardship within the semiconductor industry, which is under increasing pressure to balance rapid capacity expansion with environmental sustainability. Ultrapure water systems play a central role in this effort, as fabs seek to recycle and reuse water without compromising manufacturing precision.
Following the acquisition, the business will continue to be headquartered near Basel, Switzerland, and will operate under the brand Ovivo, Ultrapure Water+ by Ecolab. Ecolab said the continuity is intended to preserve Ovivo’s technical expertise while scaling its solutions globally through Ecolab’s platform.
