Ecolab: Linking Infection Control With Sustainability Goals

Ecolab published its 2025 Growth & Impact Report with a premise that commercial success and environmental stewardship must operate in tandem to address resource constraints.

The company operates in more than 170 countries, providing water management, hygiene and infection prevention systems through a workforce of 48,000 people.

The organisation aims to separate economic expansion from resource depletion. This approach could create value for communities, ecosystems and shareholders, according to Ecolab.

Healthcare hygiene and infection control

Hygiene and infection prevention standards determine operational safety and reputation in food production and healthcare settings. Ecolab deploys sales and service teams to support more than one-third of global food production and to reduce exposure to foodborne pathogens and healthcare-associated infections.

In 2025, these programmes reached 1.7 billion people, according to the company. Ecolab aims to extend this protection to two billion people by 2030.

Healthcare facilities use specialised environmental hygiene and disinfection protocols designed by Ecolab to support patient outcomes and operational performance. These services help maintain compliance with international safety regulations in manufacturing and clinical environments.

Christophe Beck, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ecolab, says: "Ecolab helped protect 1.7 billion people from foodborne illnesses and infections and conserve enough water to meet the drinking needs of 849 million people.

"Yet by 2030, the world is projected to face a 56% freshwater shortfall, even before accounting for new demand driven by AI, data centres and advanced manufacturing."

Water management for digital infrastructure

Artificial intelligence is increasing demand for energy and cooling water, creating resource constraints in regions hosting data centres. According to Ecolab, data centres supporting AI workloads could consume more than 1 trillion gallons of freshwater annually by 2027.

Ecolab implements a site-to-chip strategy using 3D TRASAR technology to monitor and optimise water quality continuously. Direct-to-chip liquid cooling paired with AI-enhanced analytics helps organisations protect server hardware and maintain reliability in water-stressed geographies.

The company aims to improve water use efficiency by 40% across its enterprise operations. Ecolab converts operational data into decision-ready intelligence to support digital infrastructure expansion without depleting local water supplies.

Christophe says: "Water is the foundation of life and business. We cannot create more water, but we can reimagine how we use it. Companies that act decisively, apply proven solutions and work in partnership will lead the next era of growth."

Energy reduction and emissions targets

Ecolab provides energy-saving technologies including low-temperature laundry and cleaning systems to support client decarbonisation objectives. In 2025, the company helped customers avoid 4.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions using verified eROI methodologies, according to the report.

Ecolab reduced absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 44% from a 2018 baseline within its own operations. The company now sources 92% of its electricity from renewable sources, including on-site geothermal and solar installations.

These climate measures support an ambition to reduce operational emissions by 50% by 2030 and advance towards net zero emissions.

By 2030, Ecolab aims to:

• Support customers in helping prevent nearly 10 million pollution-induced illnesses by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 million tonnes
• Cut operational emissions by 50%
• Power 100% of global operations with renewable electricity
• Reduce value chain emissions by 25%.

Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, says in the company's 2025 Growth & Impact Report: "At Ecolab, we help customers succeed in a challenging environment by making their operations smarter, more resilient and more productive, turning resource complexity into enterprise value. Our 2030 Customer Impact Goals reflect that discipline."

Circular design and supply chain responsibility

Ecolab integrates circular economy principles across product design, material sourcing and end-of-life management. The company's packaging design prioritises material reduction, avoiding 49m pounds of packaging waste in 2025, according to the report.

ReadyDose, an innovation programme, uses concentrated solid tablets to reduce plastic packaging waste by 98.8% compared to equivalent liquid products. Ecolab is phasing out substances of very high concern, which represented 0.2% of annual revenue in 2025.

The company uses renewable raw materials and post-consumer recycled resin to improve the environmental performance of its value chain. Ecolab works with more than 17,300 suppliers globally and requires 100% of direct suppliers to comply with a Supplier Code of Conduct covering labour ethics, human rights and environmental stewardship.

Ecolab aims to reduce absolute Scope 3 value chain emissions by 25% from a 2022 baseline by 2030.

In 2025, the company spent US$533m with certified underrepresented suppliers to support innovation and local economic development.

Ecolab sources 90% of purchases within local operating markets to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce resource intensity.

The company integrates sustainable financing models and local procurement to support operational continuity and regional economic stability.