Credit: Shutterstock photoEcolab Inc 's ECL financial modelling tool - The Water Risk Monetizer - is now available with an extended feature that helps water-dependent businesses to gauge the impact of water scarcity on revenues. Launched in Nov 2014, The Water Risk Monetizer was developed by Ecolab and Trucost.
Users can access this global tool to measure water-related risks in financial terms based on available information on current water usage and projected future needs. The tool also helps businesses to include water scarcity risks as an important criterion for effective decision making and take a pro-active role in sustainable water management.
Of late, Ecolab has been focusing on water management and conservation. The expanded tool feature shows that the company remains committed in helping businesses understand the need for sustainable water management. Apart from The Water Risk Monetizer the company offers a number of products that are effective in conserving and managing water.
Ecolab's 3D TRASAR technology utilizes real-time monitoring, patented actives-based control technology, proprietary stress resistant chemistry and round-the-clock information management capabilities to detect problems faced by cooling systems worldwide. The technology, introduced in 2004, is in use at more than 28,000 locations globally and helps to conserve more than 400 billion gallons of water on an annual basis.
Another product Syncra Hand Hygiene System uses up to 50% less water than traditional hand washing and at the same time, delivers consistent results.
Meanwhile, in April this year, Ecolab launched the Clean and Conserve Education Program in partnership with the Project WET Foundation. The program is designed to educate students about the importance of water conservation and hygiene.
In order to strengthen its position in the water management market, Ecolab has made strategic acquisitions, the latest one being that of a controlling interest in Jianghai Environmental Protection Co. Ltd in China. Jianghai, with annual sales of $90 million, provides water treatment technologies and services to several industries in China, including customers in the power and chemical sectors.
The buyout expands Ecolab's services and enhances its long-term growth opportunities in the increasingly water-stressed China market. In particular, the emerging markets of China and South Africa hold promising prospects for Ecolab owing to higher demand for water in industrial manufacturing and related processes.
However, even as Ecolab expands its presence in the international sphere, we feel that macroeconomic problems and fluctuations in currency exchange rates will impact sales considerably. For 2015, the company expects unfavorable foreign currency to hurt sales by 6% and EPS by 29 cents.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Currently, Ecolab carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the same space are Masimo MASI , Cyberonics CYBX and Thoratec THOR . All the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
