International. Ecolab Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Purolite, a global supplier of high-end ion exchange resins for solution separation and purification, to complement its current offering of drug production and biopharmaceutical purification in the life sciences industries.

It also provides purification and separation solutions for critical industrial markets such as microelectronics, nuclear power, and food and beverage. The acquisition is structured as a cash transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Purolite operates in more than 30 countries and employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide, with expected 2021 sales of approximately $400 million.

Purolite will operate as a separate global business unit and its overall results will be reported within Ecolab's Life Sciences division.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions. No other details were announced.

Commenting on the transaction, Christophe Beck, Ecolab's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "With 2021 sales of $0.4 billion, Purolite is an acquisition that brings us a fast-growing leader in biopharmaceutical and industrial purification solutions with very strong margins. With this transaction, we will significantly increase our opportunities in our high-growth, high-margin life sciences business, such as the purification of mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for cancer treatment drugs. By combining Ecolab's cutting-edge capabilities in clean and safe processing with Purolite's revolutionary resin technology, we will deliver a comprehensive and revolutionary offering that will make the customer's end product better, safer, healthier and more effective."