With the acquisition of Canadian company Real Tech, ABB will expand its presence in the water sector and further expand its product portfolio with optical sensor technology that is critical in the era of smart water
Real Tech is the market leader in real-time online water quality inspection and testing, providing more than 10,000 solutions for municipal water and wastewater treatment and other industries worldwide
The acquisition helps ABB gain access to the growth opportunities created by the global push for sustainable water managementABB announced the acquisition of Canadian company Real Tech. Real Tech is a leading provider of innovative optical sensor technology that enables real-time water quality detection and testing. With this acquisition, ABB will expand its presence in the water sector and further expand its product portfolio with optical technologies that are critical to smart water management. Financial terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, were not disclosed.

Unlike traditional water quality analysis processes, which have long measurement times, Real Tech’s products can provide real-time online critical measurement data. This enables better process control and continuous water quality assurance. Real Tech’s patented solutions cover the digital water value chain for water quality monitoring, with a strong focus on data creation and analysis.

Real Tech’s product portfolio includes optical sensors, controllers, and accessories for perfect measurement. Real Tech sensors use optical principles to measure water quality components. Based on online spectral and fluorescence measurement technologies, optical sensors extend from laboratory testing to real-time applications in online process environments. Liquid AI®, a proprietary AI software platform, provides analytical services to analyze data from Real Tech sensors in a simple and accurate way. The company has approximately 40 employees and is headquartered in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.

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Jacques Mulbert, Global President of ABB’s Measurement and Analytics business unit, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the ABB family. We look forward to advancing Real Tech’s journey of innovation and growth together.” Together with ABB, Real Tech can accelerate technology deployment through ABB’s extensive global sales and service network, enabling significant changes in the way products are brought to market. This acquisition is an important part of ABB’s Measurement and Analytics business unit strategy, which includes adding advanced environmental technologies to its portfolio.”

Jodi Glover, CEO and co-founder of Real Tech, said: “When we founded Real Tech almost 20 years ago, we were committed to developing optical sensor technology to drive a new era in water management. Our real-time water quality monitoring sensors and data analytics capabilities are empowering a variety of customers, including utilities and other industries, to monitor water quality in their operations and production processes, providing insights into key water quality parameters every day, every moment. We look forward to being part of ABB and working together to create a more sustainable future with a shared vision.”

According to the United Nations, 2.2 billion people still do not have access to safe drinking water, and more than 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation facilities. At the same time, only 11% of the world’s treated wastewater is reused, while about half of the untreated wastewater flows into rivers, lakes and oceans. Continuous advances in water sensor technology and artificial intelligence contribute to efficient water and wastewater management. Global investment in water quality monitoring, water treatment and water infrastructure has increased significantly. Over the next decade, for example, the United States plans to spend $111 billion to upgrade its water infrastructure, an investment unprecedented in the water industry