Dammam - Trial operations officially began at the production lines of the “Toray” reverse osmosis membrane plant in Dammam’s Third Industrial City, in the presence of oversight teams from the Saudi Water Authority and the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority.
Developed through a Saudi-Japanese partnership, the plant is the largest of its kind in the Middle East, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 membranes, covering all stages of manufacturing.
The project, implemented by Toray Membrane Middle East, results from an agreement signed with the Saudi Water Authority in 2021 to localise membrane manufacturing and transfer technical expertise.
The launch also included the inauguration of the Middle East Water Treatment Technical Centre (MEWTEC), equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory and integrated pilot simulation facilities. The centre will offer technical services in research and development in collaboration with local and international partners and with the support of the Water Technologies and Advanced Research Innovation Institute — the research arm of the Saudi Water Authority.
The plant is expected to contribute to self-sufficiency in this strategic product and generate an estimated economic impact of SAR 1.14 billion to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the duration of the agreement. It will also create 147 direct jobs for Saudi nationals and offer promising future opportunities for employment and skills development, in line with national goals to boost local content and localise strategic industries.
Beyond the water sector, the plant will also serve key industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, and mining, thereby enhancing industrial integration and opening new horizons for export-driven growth.
Demand for reverse osmosis membranes is projected to grow by 6% annually in Saudi Arabia and by 7% across the Gulf region, reinforcing the Kingdom’s leadership in the global water manufacturing and management sector.
The launch of operations stands as a practical model for successful localisation of strategic industries and reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing local content and high-tech manufacturing. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader vision to empower its national industry, ensure water security, and support long-term sustainability.
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