It’s fair to say that most people have never heard of Xylem. But there’s a good chance that you’ve benefited from their products at some point in your life. Even if not, there’s no denying that Xylem’s solutions are a critical part of our most important industries. From healthcare to power, any industry that uses vast amounts of water stands to benefit from Xylem. But what exactly does this multi-billion-dollar company actually do?
What is Xylem?
Xylem is a multinational water technology company that is headquartered in the US. The company was founded in 2011 and has gone on to become one of the world’s biggest companies, being listed on the New York Stock Exchange and making up a small part of the S&P 500. This highlights just how successful Xylem is as a global brand, but they’ve also gone on to acquire several companies within their sector to cement their standing as one of the world’s biggest companies.
What does Xylem do?
The word Xylem comes from the plant tissue that is responsible for transporting water from the roots of a plant to the leaves, and as we’ll learn throughout this write-up, this perfectly describes the role of Xylem, the company.
That’s because Xylem is all about water transportation. Whether that involves improving the purification of water that is used in medicine or helping companies to improve water reusage.
Xylem offers a wide range of specialised products and services in various industries and operates in over 100 countries, so the reality is that they do a lot. But in short, Xylem uses smart technology to develop innovative solutions to the world’s biggest water problems. This includes water purification, filtration systems, wastewater treatment and so much more.
How much is Xylem worth?
At the time of writing (June 2026), Xylem’s market cap is over 26 billion, which gives you an idea of just how big the company is. Much of this growth has come in the last 6 years, where the stock price has risen from around $60 to an all-time high of $154. As we enter the era of AI disruption, companies like Xylem that are somewhat “AI proof” are proving to be popular long-term investments.
Xylem’s core industries
As mentioned, Xylem provides solutions for a range of businesses. Products range from filters and pumps to giant industrial filtration systems. Below are three industries that could be considered Xylem’s core target.
Pharmaceuticals
The water used in the pharmaceutical industry is very different to the water that runs from our household taps. Medical water needs to go through a far stricter purification process, which is where Xylem comes in.
Xylem’s purification solutions are supplied to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to be used as an ingredient in medicines or to be used as sterile water for injection.
Microelectronics
Ultrapure water is also used in microelectronics, which involves semiconductor and microhip manufacturing. In this case, regular drinking water would not be suitable as a cleanser or solvent, and water must meet extremely high standards.
Power generation
Ultrapure water that is used in power generation is sometimes referred to as demineralized water. By purifying water to the highest degree, it helps avoid issues such as corrosion which ultimately saves companies considerable amounts of time and money.
Xylem’s solutions for good
It’s estimated that over 2 billion people don’t have access to clean drinking water. As one of the world’s biggest water solution companies, Xylem is committed to making positive changes in this area.
Their website outlines their specific commitment to 17 specific challenges. This includes working with partners to provide affordable water sanitation to areas in need. Xylem also works closely with businesses to provide reuse solutions, reducing the amount of water that goes to waste and funneling this water into food production.
Education is also a key pillar for Xylem. The company has worked alongside schools to improve access to hygiene education, while also providing technology to schools to improve facilities.
Overall, it is great to see that Xylem doesn’t just use ultrapure water to generate revenue and profit, but also to improve living standards of individuals around the world.
Final Thoughts
Xylem might be the biggest company you’ve never heard of. As mentioned at the beginning of this piece, Xylem’s solutions touch many of the world’s most important sectors. But it’s also important to know that their work goes far beyond working with fellow businesses and organisations. Xylem’s commitment to sustainability is visible through the work they are doing around the world. The success of their solutions and their commitment to using water solutions for good has helped Xylem become a $26 billion company, and there’s no reason why they can’t continue to grow in the coming years. After all, water isn’t going anywhere!