Environmental investment firm Ambienta has acquired a majority stake in Italian industrial water treatment and recycling specialist P.I.ECO, marking the first investment from its newly launched Ambienta Small Cap Fund.
The Medolago founding family will retain a stake in the business and continue to support its development as the company expands its global footprint in industrial water treatment and recycling technologies.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Terno D’Isola, Bergamo, P.I.ECO designs and installs advanced water treatment and recycling systems used across sectors including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food manufacturing. The company generates more than 80 percent of its revenue outside Italy, reflecting its strong international presence.
P.I.ECO supports customers across the full industrial water cycle, including water analysis, system design, engineering, installation and commissioning. Its solutions focus on wastewater purification, water reuse and rainwater recovery within industrial production environments.
Industrial water recycling technology driving efficiency
The company’s technology portfolio includes a proprietary mechanical ultrafiltration process that enables water recovery rates of up to 85 percent.
This performance significantly exceeds conventional water recycling systems based primarily on chemical treatment processes, which typically achieve recovery rates closer to 40 percent.
The system uses membrane-based treatment technologies designed to maintain stable performance across complex industrial water streams while delivering consistent water quality for reuse.
By increasing recycling rates, these systems allow manufacturers to reduce freshwater withdrawals, improve water security and comply with tightening environmental discharge regulations.
Industrial water treatment solutions are becoming increasingly important as businesses seek to mitigate operational risks linked to water scarcity and rising regulatory requirements.
Growing global demand for water reuse
Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly significant economic and environmental challenge. Estimates suggest that around 15 trillion US dollars of global GDP is exposed to high water stress.
At the same time, the share of global land affected by drought has increased significantly over the past century, highlighting the growing pressure on water resources.
Despite the importance of water for industrial and human activity, less than two percent of total water withdrawals globally are currently recycled.
Governments and regulators are therefore introducing stricter requirements around industrial wastewater discharge and water reuse. These policies are expected to accelerate the adoption of advanced treatment technologies capable of improving purification efficiency while reducing freshwater demand.
Ambienta said the investment reflects the increasing strategic importance of water treatment and recycling technologies as part of the broader environmental sustainability transition.
The firm believes P.I.ECO’s technology platform, international customer base and sector expertise position the company to benefit from the growing demand for industrial water management solutions worldwide.
