Sanitech acquires Green-Tech to strengthen waste treatment infrastructure

SOUTH AFRICA – Sanitech has acquired Green-Tech Water and Waste Technology, bringing a decade-long design partnership in-house to expand its industrial wastewater treatment capabilities across South Africa’s mining and manufacturing sectors.

The integration, announced in January 2026, combines Green-Tech’s technical expertise with Sanitech’s national footprint.

According to Robert Erasmus, Sanitech’s managing director, the move accelerates adoption of modern waste treatment technologies.

By the Numbers: South Africa’s Wastewater Crisis

The acquisition lands at a critical moment.

According to the 2023 Green Drop Report, 64 percent of South Africa’s wastewater treatment plants are classified as high or critical risk.

The Blue Drop Report adds that only 14 percent of water supply systems consistently meet quality standards. In Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, over 60 percent of audited systems fail compliance tests.

These failures carry real consequences. Untreated wastewater contaminates rivers and poses public health risks as municipal systems buckle.

What Green-Tech Brings to Waste Management

Green-Tech has operated since 2010, combining international systems with locally sourced components. According to Erasmus, this approach reduces reliance on fully imported systems.

The company has acted as Sanitech’s technical design partner for nearly a decade, handling design and project execution for waste treatment facilities.

Decentralized Solutions for a Strained System

Sanitech’s water and waste division operates three wastewater treatment plants in Steelpoort, Secunda, and Witbank.

Today, the division offers mobile and modular plants for external clients, with capacities from 50m³ to 300m³ per day.

Erasmus explains that what began as a solution to manage internal waste has evolved into a full-fledged treatment offering, serving mining, industrial, and food processing sectors.

Innovation on the Horizon

A new self-sufficient mining toilet solution, a bio-reactor-based unit operating without holding tanks, is in development.

According to Erasmus, field testing is scheduled for early 2026, reducing waste transport needs at remote sites.

Strategic Growth Through Acquisitions

The Green-Tech integration forms part of a broader expansion. Sanitech has signaled interest in further acquisitions over the next three to four years, particularly in specialized cleaning and hygiene sectors.

Previous acquisitions include Nanchem in Namibia, Rent-A-Toilet, and Pristine Health Services.

With strong backing from parent company Waco, Sanitech continues strengthening its service offering across hygiene, sanitation, and waste treatment, delivering integrated solutions that respond to South Africa’s evolving environmental demands.

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