Ballast water treatment market sees major acquisition

Erma First Group has acquired Ecochlor, with both businesses having significant footprints in supply markets for ballast water treatment and decarbonisation products for shipping.

According to Erma First Group, the acquisition makes the company one of the world’s largest ballast water treatment system (BWTS) providers.

“Over the last 15 years, Erma First Group has secured its reputation as a trusted BWTS partner, working closely with customers around the world to ensure access to the highest-quality services and solutions. A crucial part of our success has been our continuous investment in providing the best BWTS solutions, both through organic growth and acquisitions such as this, while simultaneously supporting customers before, during and after installation,” Erma First Group president Eleni Polychronopoulou said.

Ecochlor’s BWTS portfolio is made up of a filtration- and chlorine dioxide (ClO2)-based system and two versions of the EcoOne filterless BWTS that uses only ClO2. Erma First said the Ecochlor BWTS uses a low dose of its ClO2 solution, EcoBlue, to treat ballast water in a one- or two-step process. The second hybrid system deploys either a two-step filtration and ClO2 process or filterless ClO2-based operations only, depending on shipowner requirements.

"EcoBlue is the only chemical globally to be approved for use in Ecochlor systems under IMO and USCG Type Approval Certificates, which means that compliance is guaranteed for every operation, as well as compliance with IMO and USCG discharge standards," an Erma First Group statement said.

Erma First Group said its market reach will "further strengthen the (Ecochlor) system’s established chemical resupply and service network".

Erma First Group co-founder and managing director Konstantinos Stampedakis said all installed Ecochlor systems are eligible for continuation of certified service under the terms of the acquisition, but  the systems are "subject to verification that clients’ prior maintenance used original spare parts and EcoBlue". Failure to use approved components can render certifications null and void, he said.

“By combining the portfolios and service capabilities of Erma First Group and Ecochlor, the acquisition extends our reach as a future-proof partner equipped to help shipping meet its environmental obligations”, Mr Stampedakis said.