Ecolab’s World-Leading Water Management Solutions

Water is the foundation of existence, a finite resource underpinning food production, manufacturing, energy generation and public health. 

Yet growing demand, pollution and climate change have placed global water systems under immense pressure. 

For businesses, responsible water management has shifted from a peripheral issue to a central component of resilience and reputation. As industries set their sights on net zero goals and circular resource models, companies that pioneer innovative water solutions stand out as critical enablers of sustainable growth. Ecolab is one of them.

A global leader in efficiency and innovation

Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ecolab operates in more than 170 countries, serving sectors that range from healthcare and hospitality to manufacturing and energy.

The company’s mission — to make the world cleaner, safer and healthier — aligns closely with today’s sustainability priorities. Its integrated approach helps organisations across industries minimise environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and resource security.

“What I value and love most about my role is helping companies unlock growth by managing resources more intelligently, especially water,” says Emilio Tenuta, Ecolab Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer.

“It's incredibly rewarding to see how smart water resource management drives business growth and a broader impact in the world.”

Ecolab’s technology and expertise support water, hygiene and energy management, helping customers meet ambitious sustainability targets. 

By leveraging advanced analytics, on-site service and digital platforms, Ecolab partners with firms to identify efficiency opportunities, prevent water waste and reduce emissions throughout the value chain.

In recognition of its far-reaching environmental leadership, Ecolab has been ranked among the Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 by Sustainability Magazine. This acknowledgment reflects decades of progress in water stewardship, innovation and transparent reporting.

Driving impact through water stewardship

Water stewardship has long been at the heart of Ecolab’s strategy. 

In 2024, the company helped its customers conserve more than 220 billion gallons of water, equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of more than 760 million people. It also supported the reduction of 3.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions through efficiency improvements and resource recovery initiatives.

“At Ecolab, our mission is to help protect people and the planet – and we’ve been doing it a long time, delivering tremendous impact,” says Chris Leong, EVP, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Ecolab.

“In the past six years alone, our customers have achieved a cumulative US$9.1bn in value through sustainable solutions. This is proof that doing what's right for the environment is also right for business.”

Through tools like Ecolab Water for Climate, the company enables industrial customers to translate sustainability commitments into actionable roadmaps that balance conservation and business performance. 

Its digital intelligence platform, ECOLAB3D, uses real-time data to monitor performance, track usage and drive measurable improvements in water and energy efficiency.

At its core, Ecolab’s success lies in its systems thinking approach, addressing water not in isolation, but as part of a connected resource ecosystem that links climate resilience, material use and human well-being.

Building resilient, regenerative systems

Beyond its direct operational achievements, Ecolab actively advocates for global water security and collective action. 

The company is a founding member of The Water Resilience Coalition, part of the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate and collaborates with partners to restore freshwater basins and protect ecosystems facing water stress. 

Its partnerships in critical watersheds, from the Yangtze to the Mississippi, showcase how industry participation can drive shared value and ecosystem repair.

Ecolab’s internal sustainability goals are equally ambitious. The company’s 2030 Impact Goals include achieving net-positive water impact across its operations, halving carbon emissions and fully transitioning to renewable energy sources. 

It also champions equity and inclusion within its workforce, reinforcing that environmental progress must go hand in hand with social responsibility.

The future of sustainable water solutions

As industries adapt to intensifying climate challenges, the global water crisis has become a defining test of sustainable innovation. 

Ecolab continues to redefine what stewardship looks like, integrating science, technology and collaboration to achieve measurable, scalable impact.

“Water is our most vital resource,” says Christophe Beck, Ecolab CEO.

“We can’t create more of it; we must protect what we have. The good news? Just 150 companies can influence one-third of the world’s supply. That’s real power and real opportunity. And I believe we’re ready to meet it. Why? Because circular solutions are good for business—they save energy, reduce operational costs and improve performance.

“A positive future depends on collaboration. As I shared in New York, we must continue to make connections, commit to action and own our spot as leaders shaping the future of growth and water. Let’s keep pushing forward—together—to unlock the full potential of AI and water for a thriving tomorrow.”