Ecolab Inc.

Ecolab’s corporate history traces to 1923, when it operated as Economics Laboratory with one employee, one market, and one product: Absorbit carpet cleaner for hotels. A company sustainability report says that the business added Soilax detergent for automatic dishwashers in 1924, an early example of the combination of chemistry, dispensing equipment, and service that later defined Ecolab’s operating model. [1]

Ecolab now describes itself as a global provider of water, hygiene, and infection-prevention solutions and services. Its current company profile says that approximately 48,000 associates support millions of customers in more than 170 countries, including more than 25,000 sales-and-service associates, 1,100 scientists, engineers, and technical specialists, and 1,200 digital experts. [2]

The company’s institutional and specialty businesses provide specialized cleaners and sanitizers, food-safety products, equipment, and infection-prevention programs to foodservice, hospitality, lodging, government, education, retail, and healthcare customers. Its 2025 Form 10-K describes hospital and long-term-care offerings that include hand hygiene, hard-surface disinfection, digital monitoring, and instrument cleaning, while also covering warewashing, housekeeping, laundry, and commercial facility programs. [3]

Ecolab’s water and process activities are represented by Nalco Water, which the company says provides water-resource management and treatment, process improvement, and pollutant-control solutions. Across more than 40 industries, the company combines science-based chemistry, data-driven insights, AI technology, monitoring, and on-site service to support food safety, clean environments, water and energy efficiency, product quality, and operational performance. [2] [4]