Hawkins, Inc. Announces Milestone for its WaterSurplus NanoStack™ Membranes
Rhea-AI Summary
Hawkins (Nasdaq: HWKN) announced that WaterSurplus completed a multi-year pilot of its NanoStack™ coated RO membranes at Orange County Water District’s GWRS.
OCWD will install 1,050 NanoStack™ elements—one full RO train—treating ~5 million gallons per day. Pilot results showed >15% RO energy reduction and >50% reduction in clean-in-place needs, enabling an estimated payback under two years, according to WaterSurplus.
Positive
- 1,050 NanoStack membranes ordered—one full reverse osmosis train
- Treats approximately 5 million gallons per day for indirect potable reuse
- Pilot showed >15% RO energy reduction
- Pilot cut clean-in-place requirements by more than 50%
- Estimated payback period < 2 years for GWRS installation
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HWKN was down 6.79% with high volume, while key specialty-chemicals peers like FUL (+0.17%), AVNT (+1.46%), CBT (+0.66%) and PRM (+1.91%) were up. Only SXT (-0.72%) and momentum‑screened peer SSL (-5.20%) were lower, pointing to a stock‑specific move rather than a sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28 | Q3 2026 results | Positive | +0.1% | Record Q3 revenue and solid EBITDA despite slightly lower EPS from acquisitions. |
| Jan 28 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +0.1% | Quarterly cash dividend of <b>$0.19</b> per share and long dividend history. |
| Jan 14 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -0.3% | Announcement of timing for fiscal 2026 Q3 financial results release. |
| Dec 03 | Texas acquisition | Positive | +1.7% | Acquisition of Redbird Chemical to expand Water Treatment presence in Texas. |
| Oct 29 | Q2 2026 results | Positive | -4.0% | Record Q2 revenue and Water Treatment growth but EPS down on acquisition costs. |
Recent news has generally aligned with price moves, though one strong earnings report coincided with a notable selloff.
Over the past several months, Hawkins has focused on Water Treatment growth and acquisition-driven expansion. Q2 and Q3 fiscal 2026 both delivered record sales, with Q3 revenue of $244.1M and trailing 12‑month adjusted EBITDA of $179M, though EPS declined modestly on higher amortization and interest. The company also completed the Redbird Chemical acquisition to expand in Texas and continues to emphasize high‑margin water assets, including WaterSurplus. Dividend continuity and steady post‑earnings price reactions suggest investors have generally viewed these updates constructively.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights commercial validation of Hawkins’ WaterSurplus NanoStack technology, with OCWD planning to install 1,050 coated membranes treating about 5 million gallons per day. Pilot data showed more than half the clean‑in‑place frequency and over 15% lower energy use, implying a payback under two years. In context of recent record Water Treatment revenue and the WaterSurplus acquisition, investors may watch for additional large‑scale deployments and how these projects translate into segment growth and margins.
Key Terms
reverse osmosis technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
ROSEVILLE, Minn., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN), a leading water treatment and specialty ingredients company, today announced the successful completion of a multi-year pilot test featuring WaterSurplus’ patented NanoStack™ coated membranes at the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). WaterSurplus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hawkins, Inc. and is located in Loves Park, IL.
Based on the successful pilot, OCWD will install 1,050 NanoStack™ coated membranes at GWRS, the world’s largest advanced water purification system for potable water reuse. This quantity represents one full reverse osmosis train, treating approximately 5 million gallons of water per day for indirect potable reuse. Pilot testing data demonstrated that NanoStack™ technology significantly improved fouling resistance, cutting clean-in-place requirements by more than half, and reducing RO energy consumption by more than
NanoStack™ is an NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-certified hydrophilic membrane surface modification that is applied to finished RO membrane elements. This advanced coating enhances membrane durability and performance, helping customers across industries achieve more reliable long‑term operation with lower lifecycle costs.
For more information about NanoStack™ and other WaterSurplus products, services, and capabilities, please visit watersurplus.com.
About Hawkins, Inc.
Hawkins, Inc. was founded in 1938 and is a leading water treatment and specialty ingredients company that formulates, manufactures, distributes and blends products for its Water Treatment, Food & Health Sciences and Industrial Solutions customers. Headquartered in Roseville, Minnesota, the Company has 65 facilities in 28 states and creates value for its customers through superb customer service and support, quality products and personalized applications. Hawkins, Inc. generated
Contact:
Jeffrey P. Oldenkamp
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
612/331-6910
ir@hawkinsinc.com
FAQ
What did Hawkins (HWKN) announce on February 2, 2026 about NanoStack membranes?
How much water will the 1,050 NanoStack membranes treat at GWRS (HWKN)?
What operational benefits did NanoStack deliver in the OCWD pilot, according to Hawkins (HWKN)?
What is the estimated payback period for the NanoStack installation at GWRS (HWKN)?
Is NanoStack certified for potable water applications, per Hawkins (HWKN)?
Where can investors find more information about WaterSurplus NanoStack and HWKN products?
