In a move that slipped into the global investment current with the quiet force of a deep tide, Mubadala Investment Company and Korea’s Glenwood Private Equity — joined by a circle of aligned co-investors — have completed their co-investment in NanoH2O Co., Ltd., marking the final tick of regulatory and closing requirements.
NanoH2O, once the water-focused arm of LG Chem, stepped out on its own this year, planting its headquarters in Seoul while keeping its gaze firmly on the world. Today, the company stands as a heavyweight in reverse osmosis membrane technology — the heart of modern desalination and brackish water treatment, and a far leaner alternative to energy-hungry thermal processes.
Its footprint is unmistakably global: more than 95% of its revenue flows from beyond Korea’s borders, supplying municipalities and industries searching for ways to secure clean water in an age where every drop counts.
Mubadala’s Asia leadership emphasized their belief in NanoH2O’s technological edge and long-range potential, framing the investment as part of a broader push to strengthen solutions to worldwide challenges while deepening ties across Asia. The sentiment echoed through Mubadala’s energy and sustainability team, underscoring how the worlds of water supply and decarbonization are tightening together — and how membranes like those from NanoH2O sit at the core of that convergence.
The backing aims to help the company link more closely with surging demand across the MENA region and other global markets, fueling both expansion and innovation in a business model that thrives on continuous advancement.
Glenwood’s leadership likewise cast the deal as part of its strategy of carving out under-recognized gems from large conglomerates and helping them scale on their own terms. With NanoH2O now charting its independent course, the firm sees fertile ground for growth, sustainability, and global impact.
In short, a quiet reshaping of the water-tech landscape is underway — one membrane at a time.
