Glenwood PE and Mubadala Back NanoH2O in Strategic Water Technology Investment

Glenwood Private Equity, a leading Korea-based investment firm, together with Abu Dhabi’s global investor Mubadala Investment Company and a group of co-investors, has successfully closed its co-investment in NanoH2O Co., Ltd., a fast-growing leader in advanced water treatment technologies.

All regulatory approvals and closing conditions for the transaction have now been completed.

Formerly known as LG Water Solutions, NanoH2O was established as a division of LG Chem in 2014 and became an independent company earlier this year.

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Headquartered in Seoul, the company specializes in reverse osmosis membranes used for desalination and brackish water treatment—widely regarded as the most energy-efficient method for large-scale desalination compared to traditional thermal processes.

A Global Business Serving a Growing Water Crisis

NanoH2O today operates as a truly international enterprise, generating more than 95% of its revenue outside South Korea. Its membrane technologies are used by a wide range of municipal and industrial customers worldwide, helping address the expanding global demand for clean and reliable water supplies amid accelerating climate and population pressures.

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Explaining the strategic intent behind the investment, Sangho Lee, CEO of Glenwood Private Equity, said the transaction reflects Glenwood’s expertise in identifying high-quality businesses within large conglomerates that can unlock greater value as independent companies.

Glenwood reaffirmed its commitment to supporting NanoH2O’s mission of delivering sustainable water solutions and scaling its global impact through long-term strategic partnership.

Mubadala Strengthens Its Asia and Sustainability Strategy

From Mubadala’s perspective, the investment aligns closely with both its Asia expansion strategy and its focus on companies addressing critical global challenges.

Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia at Mubadala, said the firm has strong conviction in NanoH2O’s technology leadership and long-term growth potential, adding that the partnership reinforces Mubadala’s long-standing commitment to South Korea and the broader Asian market.

Water Security and Decarbonization Converge

Highlighting the sustainability dimension of the deal, Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, Head of Energy and Sustainability at Mubadala, emphasized that water security and decarbonization are increasingly interconnected global priorities.

He noted that reverse osmosis membranes play a critical role in delivering water at scale with significantly lower energy intensity, positioning NanoH2O at the center of the future of sustainable water infrastructure.

With its proven technology, global footprint, and replacement-driven business model, NanoH2O is well placed to benefit from rising demand in the MENA region and other key global markets.

A Platform for Global Expansion

With Glenwood PE and Mubadala now firmly on board as strategic investors, NanoH2O enters its next phase of growth with strong financial backing and international market access.

The partnership is expected to accelerate the company’s expansion across high-growth regions while reinforcing its position as a global leader in energy-efficient water desalination technologies.

As climate stress intensifies water scarcity worldwide, NanoH2O’s technology sits at the intersection of sustainability, infrastructure, and energy transition—making this investment as much about long-term global resilience as it is about commercial growth.

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