Now, just 56 years since RO was first invented, Osmonics is owned by General Electric, and FilmTec is owned by Dow Chemical. Both are leaders in filtration and reverse-osmosis technologies.

has about 1,200 employees and had sales of $207 million last year. Osmonics makes water purification, filtration and separation equipment. It will become part of GE Water, run by General Electric ...

Expanding its presence in the water-treatment market, General Electric Co. agreed to acquire fluid-filtration-equipment maker Osmonics Inc. in a stock and cash deal valued at about $248 million ...