ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has reached an agreement to acquire the U.S. operations of Charlotte, N.C.-based Swisher Hygiene Inc. (NASDAQ: SWSH) for approximately $40 million in cash. Swisher Hygiene provides hygiene and sanitizing solutions for the foodservice, hospitality, retail and healthcare markets. Sales in 2014 for the operations included in the agreement were approximately $176 million. “This a