---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-032446"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ECL"
cik: "0000031462"
company_name: "ECOLAB INC."
filed_at: "2026-03-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T09:32:19.970917+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.9
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Ecolab to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75B; updates 2026 EPS guidance

## Summary
- Acquisition of CoolIT Systems for $4.75B cash; expected close Q3 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
- CoolIT expected to generate ~$550M sales next 12 months; expands Global High-Tech market from $5B to $10B.
- Deal expected to accelerate Global Water organic sales growth by 2% and Ecolab total by 1% one year post-close.
- 2026 adj. EPS guidance: Q1 $1.69-$1.71 (up 13-14% YoY); full-year $8.43-$8.63 (up 12-15% YoY), excluding CoolIT.
- Financed with new debt; pro forma leverage ~3x at close, returning to 2x by end of second year after closing.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-032446
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ECL
- cik: 0000031462
- company_name: ECOLAB INC.
- filed_at: 2026-03-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.9
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465926032446/0001104659-26-032446-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465926032446/tm269446d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-032446
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-032446.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-032446.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  ECOLAB INC. reported full-year 2026 results: EPS $8.43 to $8.63. Guidance reaffirmed.
  - Period: full-year 2026
  - EPS: $8.43 to $8.63
  - Guidance: reaffirmed
  - Result: guidance update
  source text: For the full-year 2026, excluding the impact of CoolIT, Ecolab continues to expect adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $8.43 to $8.63 range
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465926032446/0001104659-26-032446-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  ECOLAB INC. reported first quarter 2026 results: EPS $1.69 to $1.71. Guidance initiated.
  - Period: first quarter 2026
  - EPS: $1.69 to $1.71
  - Guidance: initiated
  - Result: guidance update
  source text: Ecolab expects first quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $1.69 to $1.71 range
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/31462/000110465926032446/0001104659-26-032446-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.