A push for local desalination: Al Khorayef Group signed a cooperation agreement with South Korean petrochemicals giant LG Chem to build an industrial complex in Saudi to manufacture seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes and a technical center, the leading industrial group said in a statement. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Saudi Water Forum, which concludes tomorrow in Riyadh.

What we know: The industrial complex and technical center will begin operations in 2026 and looks to “meet growing demand on desalination in the region,” the statement said. The plant is set to manufacture 300k membranes annually and will see an investment of some SAR 320 mn, state news agency SPA reported yesterday.

What went down at the forum: A number of partnership agreements and MoUs were signed between government institutions and the private sector to help develop the uses of recycled water and promote the adoption of technology in water management, according to SPA.

Also signed at the forum:

  • A cooperation agreement between PIF-owned Saudi Investment RecyclingCompany and German wastewater treatment solutions GI Aquatech to “bolster joint cooperation.”
  • Three agreements between the Saudi Irrigation Organization and unnamed local and foreign firms to develop the uses of recycled water and to develop agricultural production in the Kingdom.
  • An agreement between Alkhorayef Water and Power, local contractor Al Awael and Civil Works Co. to set up two projects in Dammam and Al Khobar.
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