NanoH2O gains a strategic boost as Glenwood and Mubadala invest to scale energy-efficient water tech and support rising demand across global and MENA markets.
Global investment dynamics in water technology are shifting, and the latest move involving Glenwood Private Equity, Mubadala Investment Company, and a group of co-investors captures this trend clearly. The consortium has officially closed its co-investment in NanoH2O, the Seoul-based water-tech company formerly known as LG Water Solutions under LG Chem. With all regulatory approvals complete, the transaction is now fully finalised.
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NanoH2O has charted a remarkable trajectory since its carve-out from LG Chem in 2014. Although it only became fully independent this year, it has already established itself as a major global supplier of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, the energy-efficient technology used for desalination and brackish water treatment.
A standout metric: more than 95% of NanoH2O’s revenue comes from outside South Korea, underscoring its strong global presence and adoption.
Glenwood PE CEO Sangho Lee explained that the investment aligns with their strategy of supporting high-quality businesses spun off from conglomerates’ non-core portfolios. It’s a trend that often surfaces in the MENA region too—innovation frequently thrives once freed from the constraints of large corporate structures.
Lee added that Glenwood intends to help scale NanoH2O’s sustainable water solutions in close collaboration with Mubadala and other partners.
From Mubadala’s perspective, Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia, emphasised the company’s confidence in NanoH2O’s technology and long-term growth prospects. He framed the investment as part of Mubadala’s broader strategy to back companies addressing global challenges, especially water scarcity, one of the most pressing issues for both Asia and the Middle East.
Mubadala executive Abdulla Mohamed Shadid offered a sharper view of the deal’s relevance, noting the deepening connection between water security and decarbonisation. RO membranes, he said, offer a more energy-efficient path to producing clean water, an increasingly important advantage as climate and resource pressures rise.
Shadid also highlighted NanoH2O’s global footprint, proven technology, and replacement-driven business model, which collectively strengthen its resilience and ability to scale. Crucially, he pointed out that the investment positions NanoH2O to better meet surging demand across the MENA region, where next-generation desalination technologies are becoming essential.
Why NanoH2O Matters for MENA’s Water Tech Future
This investment is more than a financial milestone; it signals a strategic shift in how global water-tech ecosystems are being built. A South Korean innovator scaling with strong Gulf-backed support might have seemed unusual years ago, but today it reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of critical technology markets.
For MENA countries—particularly those grappling with rising water scarcity—the partnership could accelerate access to more efficient, scalable, and sustainable desalination technologies. As regional cities expand and climate pressures intensify, such advancements are becoming indispensable.
Ultimately, the Glenwood–Mubadala–NanoH2O alignment showcases how international collaboration can fast-track solutions to one of the world’s toughest challenges before it becomes even more complex to solve.
