QatarEnergy has announced plans to build a salt production plant in the Um Al Houl area of Qatar, through a joint venture involving Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC), Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. (QIMC), and other strategic partners. Endorsed as part of QatarEnergy’s TAWTEEN localization program, the plant is estimated to cost around QR1 billion.
This new facility will enhance Qatar’s self-sufficiency by producing both industrial and table salts to meet local market demands, as well as for regional and international export. The plant will produce industrial salts essential for the petrochemical industry, along with bromine, potassium chloride, and demineralized water. This product diversification is expected to foster additional economic growth and promote a circular economy.
H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, highlighted that this project marks a significant step in supporting industrial localization and sustainable practices within Qatar’s energy sector. He emphasized that it reflects a commitment to innovation and economic growth, which are key aspects of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
Al Kaabi added, “QatarEnergy is proud to support this initiative through our TAWTEEN program, enhancing our local industrial capabilities and contributing to environmental sustainability. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, we are setting new benchmarks for industrial efficiency and economic resilience. This is a major step in QatarEnergy’s broader strategy of enhancing local supply chains and increasing industrial self-sufficiency.”
The innovative project will utilize reject water recovery from reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units, converting reject water from desalination processes into a valuable resource. With a production capacity of one million tons per annum, the plant will significantly contribute to Qatar’s economy and industrial development by reducing the country’s reliance on imported raw materials, which currently amounts to about 850,000 tons of table and industrial salts annually. As part of the TAWTEEN program, the project benefits from initiatives aimed at boosting local content and supporting the growth of local industries.
This collaboration exemplifies a strong public-private partnership aimed at achieving strategic national objectives. TAWTEEN has already allocated 78 investment opportunities as part of its goal to support the localization of services and industries in Qatar’s energy sector, out of a target of 100. Since its launch in 2019, TAWTEEN has also created 7,000 white-collar jobs.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar
