Automation Giant ABB Acquires An Optical Sensing Company For Water Quality Monitoring

Recently, Swiss engineering giant ABB announced that it has agreed to acquire Ontario, Canada-based Real Tech, a leading provider of innovative optical sensor technology that develops spectrophotometric and fluorescent technologies for real-time water monitoring.
ABB has not disclosed any financial terms related to the transaction, but expects it to close by the end of March this year.
ABB announced, "With this acquisition, ABB is expanding its strong presence in the water sector and complementing its portfolio with optical technologies that are critical to smart water management."
Extensive Optical Product Portfolio
Real Tech, headquartered with 40 employees, provides spectrophotometric and fluorescence analytical equipment that enables water quality monitoring to move from laboratory testing to a process environment.
Whereas previous water quality measurement processes have been time-consuming and labor-intensive by comparison, Real Tech's portfolio provides real-time critical measurements, which enable better process control and continuous water quality assurance. Real Tech's patented solutions are said to cover the entire digital water value chain for water quality monitoring, with a focus on data creation and analysis.
According to ABB, Real Tech's portfolio includes optical sensors, controllers and a suite of optional accessories, with each system being configured to meet customer needs.
It includes the company's Liquid AI software platform, which is said to provide a simple and accurate way to analyze data from Real Tech sensors.
Jacques Mulbert, president of ABB Measurement & Analytics, commented: "This partnership with ABB is a step forward in market entry by accelerating the deployment of Real Tech technology through ABB's extensive global sales and service network. This acquisition is an important part of ABB's Measurement & Analytics strategy, which includes adding advanced environmental technologies to the portfolio."
Enabling large-scale wastewater management
Jodi Glover, CEO and co-founder of Real Tech, added: "When we founded Real Tech around 20 years ago, we were committed to developing optical sensor technology that would advance water management into a new era. Our real-time water quality monitoring sensors and data analytics capabilities are supporting our customers, including utilities and industries that manage water in their operations and manufacturing processes, with the critical insights they need every minute of every day. We look forward to being part of ABB and sharing a common vision for a more sustainable future."
He added: "Building Real Tech into the world's most comprehensive optical sensor technology platform has been an incredible journey and ABB's acquisition of us will deliver the best possible results."
ABB cited United Nations figures showing that some 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, while more than 4.2 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation.
At the same time, the company noted that only 11 percent of the world's treated wastewater is reused, and about half of the world's untreated wastewater still flows into rivers, lakes and oceans.
"Advances in water sensor technology and artificial intelligence contribute to effective water and wastewater management. Investments in water quality monitoring, water treatment and water infrastructure are expanding dramatically worldwide. In the United States, an unprecedented $111 billion will be spent over 10 years to upgrade water infrastructure."