ECL · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Global Water Demand Trends

ECOLAB INC. · 2026-08-06 · Importance 43 · Surprise 32

Global Water organic sales increased 4% in the second quarter and 3% in the first six months of 2026, led by High-Tech, Food & Beverage and Light Water. High-Tech organic sales surged 29% and 27%, respectively, on new business wins across microelectronics and data centers, while Food & Beverage grew 7% and 6% on new business wins and pricing. Heavy Water declined 1% and 2% as downstream growth was offset by weaker basic-industry sales, and Paper was flat in the quarter amid soft but stabilizing customer production rates. Accelerating pricing supported margins but was offset by investments in the business and higher commodity costs.

Key facts

• Global Water organic operating income margin decrease of 0.5 points in Q2 2026 reflected a 2.4 percentage point positive impact from accelerating pricing offset by a 3.2 percentage point impact from investments and higher commodity costs. source
• Organic operating income margins for Global Water decreased 0.5 percentage points in Q2 2026 and 0.4 percentage points in the first six months of 2026. source