Mubadala Investment Company has taken a major step into the global cleantech space through a new investment in South Korea’s NanoH2O. Glenwood Private Equity co led the round, along with a group of additional investors. The move strengthens Mubadala’s long term commitment to South Korea and its broader presence across Asia. It also backs a company that supplies critical water treatment technology at a time when water security and sustainability demand global attention.
A Strategic Bet on Clean Water Technology
NanoH2O began as a division of LG Chem in 2014 and became an independent company in 2025. The company develops advanced reverse osmosis membranes used in desalination and brackish water treatment. These membranes offer an energy efficient alternative to thermal desalination, which consumes far more power and delivers water at higher cost.
Key strengths of NanoH2O include:
- A strong reputation in large scale desalination
- Proven membrane technology
- A global customer base across municipal and industrial sectors
- More than 95 percent of revenue generated outside Korea
Demand for clean water continues to rise. NanoH2O aims to serve this need by offering efficient water treatment systems that reduce environmental impact and energy use.
Partnership Built on Growth and Innovation
Glenwood Private Equity sees NanoH2O as a strong fit for its investment strategy. The firm often targets high quality businesses that emerge from corporate carve outs. NanoH2O became independent earlier this year, making it an ideal candidate for strategic support.
Glenwood’s CEO highlighted the firm’s focus on helping such companies unlock new value. The firm plans to work closely with Mubadala to accelerate NanoH2O’s growth and global reach.
Mubadala shares this conviction. The company believes NanoH2O holds strong long term potential due to its technology leadership and rising global demand for efficient desalination systems. Mubadala plans to support the company’s expansion across Asia, the Middle East and other key markets.
Addressing Global Water and Energy Priorities
Water scarcity and energy reduction now sit at the center of global sustainability goals. Reverse osmosis systems help solve both issues. They consume less energy and deliver fresh water at a competitive cost, making them vital for regions that rely heavily on desalination.
Mubadala’s energy and sustainability team sees clear alignment with these priorities. The firm considers NanoH2O’s model unique because it relies on replacement driven demand. This structure pushes constant innovation and ensures steady global adoption.
The investment also aims to deepen NanoH2O’s presence in the MENA region. Many countries in the region depend on desalination, and they now seek more efficient solutions to meet rising water needs with lower emissions.
A Strong Global Platform for Future Growth
NanoH2O now stands in a stronger position to scale worldwide. With support from Glenwood, Mubadala and other investors, the company plans to expand its footprint, strengthen its technology portfolio and help more regions secure reliable water supplies.
This new investment signals a growing convergence between water security, sustainability and long term economic value. It positions NanoH2O as a global leader ready to address the world’s most urgent water challenges.