Eastern Province Governor Prince Saud Bin Nayef inaugurated the TorayMembrane Middle East Factory in Dammam’s third industrial city — a SAR 1 bn JV between Abunayyan Holding and Japan-based Toray Industries, the Eastern Province said on X yesterday.

The new plant — Toray’s second outside Japan — will produce 300k reverse osmosis membranes annually to support water desalination projects across the Kingdom. It is expected to create over 175 jobs and achieve a 70% localization rate, while targeting increasing it to 75%. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s drive to strengthen local manufacturing and enhance national water security.

In line with localization goals, around 72% of its manufacturing inputs will be sourced domestically, which will cut delivery times by 53% and reduce energy consumption by 4-5%. The project is projected to contribute SAR 1.14 bn to the Saudi economy over eight years and boost the trade balance by over SAR 135 mn annually.

Beyond production, the facility will feature an R&D unit established in partnership with the Advanced Technology Research Institute, focusing on developing next-generation membrane technologies.

REFRESHER- Prince Saud bin Nayef inaugurated 122 completed environmental, water, and agricultural projects worth more than SAR 28.8 bn in September. The projects include 63 new initiatives for environmental, water, and agricultural systems with a total cost exceeding SAR 20.8 bn, along with 59 new projects valued at over SAR 8 bn.

Tags: