H2O Innovation Buys bestUV, Dives into UV Disinfection Market

QUEBEC CITY, May 04, 2026 – H2O Innovation has officially entered the ultraviolet disinfection sector with the strategic acquisition of bestUV, a Dutch manufacturer specializing in advanced UV water treatment systems. The move signals a significant expansion of the Canadian water solutions company’s portfolio, positioning it to offer more comprehensive, integrated solutions in an increasingly regulated and environmentally conscious global market.

The acquisition brings bestUV’s specialized technology and its entire team, including management, under the H2O Innovation umbrella, ensuring operational continuity while laying the groundwork for a new business unit dedicated to disinfection technologies.

A Strategic Leap into a Booming Market

This acquisition is far more than a simple expansion; it represents a calculated entry into the thriving global UV disinfection market. Industry analyses project the market, valued at over USD 4.1 billion in 2024, to experience robust growth, with some estimates predicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 7% and 10.5% over the next decade. This surge is fueled by a confluence of factors, including tightening government regulations on water quality, rising concerns over waterborne pathogens, and a strong market preference for chemical-free disinfection methods.

UV disinfection is particularly effective against chlorine-resistant microorganisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, a key consideration for municipalities striving to comply with standards like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). By adding a proprietary disinfection technology, H2O Innovation can now more effectively serve municipal, industrial, and maritime clients grappling with these challenges.

“The addition of bestUV’s proven UV water disinfection technology to our portfolio represents a defining milestone for H2O Innovation,” said Frédéric Dugré, President and Chief Executive Officer of H2O Innovation. “This acquisition extends our expertise, complements our filtration and membrane solutions, and lays the foundation for a new business unit focused on disinfection. It strengthens our ability to respond to the growing global demand for advanced water reuse solutions and allows us to offer complementary treatment technologies from a single source.”

Forging an Integrated Water Treatment Powerhouse

Historically, H2O Innovation has been a recognized leader in membrane filtration technologies, including reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. The integration of bestUV’s advanced UV reactors creates powerful technological synergy. While membrane systems are adept at filtering out suspended solids, salts, and larger contaminants, UV systems provide a critical final barrier, using light to neutralize the DNA of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

This combination is essential for high-stakes applications like water reuse, where treated wastewater must be rendered safe for potable or non-potable applications. By offering both filtration and disinfection from a single source, H2O Innovation simplifies the design, procurement, and operation of complex water treatment trains for its clients, which include engineering firms, municipalities, and industrial users.

This enhanced capability places the company in a stronger competitive position against global water technology giants like Xylem, Veolia, and Evoqua Water Technologies, which already provide a broad spectrum of treatment solutions. The move aligns with H2O Innovation’s stated mission to “Simplify Water” by delivering end-to-end, integrated services and technologies.

The Power of Light: Sustainable, Chemical-Free Disinfection

The adoption of UV technology reflects a broader industry shift toward sustainability. Unlike traditional chlorination, UV disinfection is a physical process that adds no chemicals to the water, thus avoiding the creation of potentially harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs). This environmental benefit is a significant driver of its adoption worldwide.

Based in the Netherlands’ Brainport Eindhoven region—a global hub for lighting and UV science—bestUV is a leader in this field. The company is known for its high-efficiency systems that utilize both low-pressure and medium-pressure UV lamps, optimized through in-house computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Its systems are often custom-designed for demanding applications and validated through rigorous biodosimetric testing to ensure performance, meeting stringent standards from European and international health institutes.

“We are proud to join H2O Innovation and be part of this exciting new chapter,” said Sjors van Gaalen, Managing Director of bestUV. “Combining our UV expertise with H2O Innovation’s global scale will enable us to accelerate the adoption of sustainable, chemical-free disinfection solutions worldwide.”

Global Reach and Seamless Integration

The acquisition is structured to maximize synergy and minimize disruption. The retention of the entire bestUV team ensures that its deep institutional knowledge and technical expertise are carried forward. This expertise will be crucial as H2O Innovation integrates the UV technology across its product lines and leverages its own global platform to expand the technology's reach.

Furthermore, bestUV's established network of distributors and channel partners provides H2O Innovation with immediate, accelerated access to the specialized UV disinfection market. This move is the latest in a series of strategic actions for H2O Innovation, which was itself acquired by private equity firm Ember Infrastructure in late 2023, signaling a period of ambitious, supported growth. By combining its deep-rooted expertise in membrane processes with bestUV’s cutting-edge disinfection technology, H2O Innovation is now better equipped than ever to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.