Tennant and Orbio Technologies Group acquire electrochemical system expertise in Water Star

MINNEAPOLIS, USA: Tennant Co. and its Orbio Technologies Group announced the acquisition of Water Star, Inc. (WSI), a Newbury, Ohio-based firm specializing in electrochemistry. This acquisition is consistent with Tennant Company’s strategy to expand its intellectual property in support of the company’s long-term vision to deliver sustainable, breakthrough innovations that help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world.

“Tennant Company and Orbio are thrilled to join forces with Water Star,” commented Karla Leis, General Manager for Orbio Technologies Group, based in St. Louis Park, Minn. “Water Star principals Marilyn and Andy Niksa bring the proprietary knowledge and specialized expertise in the area of electrochemical systems that we believe will open new opportunities and accelerate our pursuit of sustainable cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting solutions,” Leis noted.

Orbio Technologies Group is the sustainable cleaning technology arm of Tennant, a leader in the manufacture, design and marketing of cleaning equipment. Established in 2009 to execute Tennant Company’s vision of becoming a global leader in chemical-free and other sustainable cleaning technologies, Orbio Technologies Group is dedicated to developing and marketing environmentally friendly technologies under the brand name of Orbio that will set the standard for sustainable cleaning around the world.

“Water Star is committed to using electrochemistry to develop innovative applications in a variety of industries,” said Marilyn Niksa, president. “We believe we have found the right partner to continue a mission of innovation and environmental stewardship, while providing effective business solutions.”

Orbio Technologies Group, in conjunction with Tennant Company, already has a portfolio of water-based cleaning technologies including Orbio Blended Stream (marketed as ec-H2O on Tennant autoscrubbers), Orbio Split Stream and Orbio Electroporation technology. Orbio Electroporation technology has the capability to inactivate the H1N1 virus and kill more than 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria and has been licensed to Activeion Cleaning Solutions, LLC, for use on its hand-held spray devices marketed under the names ionatorEXP and ionatorHOM.