ABB to acquire Canadian water monitoring company Real Tech

Swedish-Swiss multinational ABB has said it has agreed to acquire Canadian company Real Tech, a leading supplier of innovative optical sensor technology that enables real-time water monitoring and testing.

With the acquisition, ABB is looking forward to expanding its strong presence in the water segment and complement its product portfolio with optical technology critical for smart water management.

While ABB did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, it said the acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.

Real Tech is a leading player in real-time water quality monitoring and testing with more than 10,000 installed solutions in municipal water and wastewater, and other industries across the world

Unlike traditional water quality measurement, which can be a time-consuming process, Real Tech’s product portfolio provides critical measurements in real-time. This enables better process control and continuous water quality assurance. Real Tech’s patented solutions cover the entire digital water value chain for water quality monitoring with a focus on data creation and analytics, said an official statement.

“We are excited to welcome all our new colleagues to the ABB family,” said ABB Measurement & Analytics Division President Jacques Mulbert.

“We look forward to jointly driving the innovation and growth journey of Real Tech. Joining forces with ABB will accelerate the deployment of Real Tech’s technologies through the vast ABB global sales and service network, making a step change in access to market. The acquisition is an important part of ABB Measurement & Analytics’ strategy, which includes adding advanced environmental technologies to the portfolio”, he added.

Real Tech’s portfolio includes optical sensors, controllers and a suite of optional accessories that allow each system to be configured according to customer needs. Leveraging the power of light, the sensors measure water composition. They use spectrophotometry and fluorescence measuring techniques to move testing from the lab to the process environment for real-time use. Liquid AI, a proprietary AI software platform, completes the service offering, providing an easy and accurate way to analyze data from Real Tech sensors. The company has approximately 40 employees and is based in Whitby, Ontario.

“When we founded Real Tech almost 20 years ago, we were set on developing optical sensor technology that would advance the management of water into a new era,” said Real Tech CEO and co-founder Jodi Glover.

“Our real-time water quality monitoring sensors and data analytics capabilities are empowering our clients, both utilities and industries that manage water in their operation and manufacturing processes, with the critical insights they need every minute, every day. We look forward to becoming part of ABB with our shared vision to create a more sustainable future.”