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Ecolab: CoolIT And Ovivo Have Put It On The AI Data Center Water Map!

Ecolab reported a strong first quarter of 2026 characterized by 13% adjusted diluted earnings per share growth, with organic sales increasing 4% driven by 3% value pricing and accelerating volume growth of 1%. The company demonstrated margin expansion, with organic operating income margins rising 70 basis points to 16.8%, supported by disciplined global execution and SG&A productivity gains. Notably, the company’s “growth engines” such as Global High-Tech and Digital segments both grew over 20%, Life Sciences grew 11% led by bioprocessing with sales more than doubling, and Pest Elimination achieved 7% growth aided by new Pest Intelligence offerings. Core businesses like Institutional, Specialty, Food & Beverage, and Light Water also showed solid or improving growth, while previously pressured areas like Paper and Heavy Water stabilized. Ecolab’s portfolio is shifting toward higher-margin and faster-growing end markets less sensitive to energy cost inflation, which remains a significant macroeconomic challenge.