Purolite joined the Unicorn Club on October 28, 2021. Headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, United States, Purolite manufactures high-performance ion-exchange, catalyst, adsorbent, and speciality resins used across various industries, including metallurgy, water purification, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Ecolab acquired the company in a cash transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion. The company’s historical funding is approximately $135 million, and it employed approximately 131 people as of December 2018.
Keep reading to explore how Purolite became a global leader in separation and purification technologies and the strategic implications of its acquisition.
What Is Purolite and What Does It Do?
Founded in 1981, Purolite designs and manufactures ion-exchange, catalyst, and speciality resins that enable critical processes across life sciences, industrial, and environmental markets. The company’s products are used for water purification, the separation of pharmaceutical intermediates, semiconductor processing, and other applications.
Through proprietary resin technologies, Purolite delivers high‑purity materials and advanced separation solutions that meet stringent global regulatory and quality standards.
How Much Funding Has Purolite Raised?
- Acquisition by Ecolab
- Amount Raised: ~$3.7 billion (acquisition)
- Date: October 28, 2021
- Lead Investor / Acquirer: Ecolab
- Valuation: ~$3.7 billion
- Purpose: Strategic acquisition to expand Ecolab’s life sciences and industrial purification business.
- Earlier Funding/Financing
- Cumulative Funding: ~$135 million
- Key Investors: KfW IPEX‑Bank, Santander Bank
- Purpose: Growth financing, product development, and international expansion.
Total Funding Raised: ~$135 million
Latest Funding Date: October 28, 2021
Latest Valuation: ~$3.7 billion
Employee Count: ~131 (as of December 31, 2018)
Key Investors
- KfW IPEX‑Bank
- Details: German export and project‑finance institution supporting industrial growth globally.
- Focus Areas: Industrial manufacturing, export infrastructure, and clean technologies.
- Santander Bank
- Details: Multinational banking and financial services group providing corporate finance solutions.
- Focus Areas: Commercial lending, growth capital, and sustainability‑focused financing.
Where Is Purolite’s Headquarters?
Purolite is headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, United States. The headquarters serves as the global centre for research, product development, and customer support, while the company’s international operations span more than 30 countries.
What’s Next for Purolite?
Under Ecolab’s ownership, Purolite will scale manufacturing capacity, link with Ecolab’s life sciences and industrial portfolios, and invest in advanced resin technologies for biopharma purification and environmental applications. The integrated business is expected to drive innovation in high-value consumables and expand its global footprint in high-growth markets.
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