Core Insights - Saudi Arabia and Toray Industries have established the largest seawater desalination membrane factory in the Middle East, with an investment exceeding 1 billion riyals [1] - The factory, located in Dammam, has an annual production capacity of 300,000 membrane sheets and aims to create over 175 jobs, achieving a localization rate of 70% with plans to increase it to at least 75% [1] - The facility features six integrated production lines to meet local and Gulf market demands, positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for membrane and desalination technology, enhancing the competitiveness of the national industry [1] Company and Industry Summary - The joint venture between Abunayyan Holding and Toray Industries marks Toray's second similar facility outside Japan, indicating a strategic expansion in the desalination technology sector [1] - The establishment of this factory is expected to solidify Saudi Arabia's status as a global center for advanced water treatment technology [1] - The investment and production capabilities of the factory are anticipated to significantly contribute to the local economy and the development of the water treatment industry in the region [1]

Core Insights - The article highlights the transformation of water supply in Saudi Arabia, particularly in cities like Mecca and Medina, from a scarcity-driven model to a reliable, continuous supply through advanced desalination technology [1][3][5]. Water Supply Transformation - Historically, Saudi Arabia faced severe water scarcity due to its arid climate, with annual rainfall below 100mm and high evaporation rates [3][5]. - The country has shifted its focus to desalination since the 1950s, now producing over 13 million tons of desalinated water daily, which accounts for more than half of the national water supply [5][17]. Desalination Projects - The Rabigh Phase IV project is set to become the largest single reverse osmosis desalination plant globally, designed to produce 600,000 tons of fresh water daily, sufficient for over 2 million households [10][12]. - The project involves advanced technology, including dual-media pressure filters and high-pressure pumps, optimizing energy consumption to 2.78 kWh per ton of water produced [10][17]. Market Dynamics - The contract for Rabigh IV was awarded to a consortium led by China Power Construction Group, marking a significant shift in the desalination market, traditionally dominated by Western and Japanese firms [12][14]. - This collaboration reflects a growing trend of Chinese companies becoming major players in the Middle East's infrastructure projects, enhancing competition and efficiency in the sector [14][18]. Future Outlook - The completion of Rabigh IV is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, which will further stabilize water supply in the region and reduce historical anxieties related to water scarcity [15][19]. - The ongoing investments in desalination infrastructure are expected to alleviate water concerns in Saudi Arabia, showcasing a successful model of utilizing oil revenues for sustainable water solutions [17][19].

Core Viewpoint - The seawater desalination equipment industry in China is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for freshwater resources and technological advancements in desalination methods [2][6]. Industry Overview - Seawater desalination equipment is essential for converting seawater into freshwater through various methods, primarily reverse osmosis, which is currently the most efficient and energy-saving technology [4]. - The market size for seawater desalination equipment in China is projected to reach 18 billion yuan in 2024, up from 14 billion yuan in 2020, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.48% [2]. Industry Chain Analysis - The upstream of the seawater desalination equipment industry includes materials like stainless steel and titanium alloys, while the midstream involves manufacturing by companies such as Shuangliang Energy and Tianjin Membrane Technology [5]. - The downstream applications are diverse, covering municipal water supply, industrial water use, and specialized processes, with increasing market demand supported by government policies [5]. Market Status - The total output value of China's seawater desalination and comprehensive utilization industry is expected to reach 33.7 billion yuan in 2024, showing a year-on-year growth of 3.90% [6]. - Government initiatives, such as guidelines for accelerating the development of water-saving industries, are providing strong support for the industry's growth [6]. Competitive Landscape - The industry features a mix of domestic and international brands, with companies like Shuangliang Energy and Tianjin Membrane Technology making notable advancements in technology and market expansion [7]. - As competition intensifies, companies are required to enhance their technological capabilities and service quality to maintain market position [7]. Development Trends - Future innovations will focus on developing new reverse osmosis membrane materials and energy recovery devices to improve desalination efficiency and reduce energy consumption [8]. - The demand for seawater desalination is expected to grow, particularly in urban water supply and sectors like power, petrochemicals, and agriculture, especially in arid regions [8].

Core Viewpoint - The compilation of the Ecological Environment Code marks a milestone in China's ecological civilization legal construction, providing a comprehensive legal framework for water pollution prevention and control [3][10]. Group 1: Water Pollution Prevention - The specialized section on "Water Pollution Prevention" in the Code outlines clear regulations for key areas such as industry, urban areas, agriculture, and shipping, aiming to protect water quality [3][5]. - The core value of seawater desalination technology is to provide additional water resources for coastal areas facing water scarcity, while also offering advanced separation technologies applicable to various pollution control challenges [5][10]. Group 2: Industrial Wastewater Treatment - Technologies developed for zero discharge of industrial wastewater have been successfully implemented in projects like the distillation wastewater treatment in Fujian, achieving zero discharge and reuse of saline wastewater [5][6]. - The treatment technology for high-salinity heavy metal wastewater in Henan demonstrates effective recovery of precious metals and supports the Code's requirements for heavy metal pollution prevention and resource recovery [5][6]. Group 3: Agricultural and Rural Pollution Control - Innovative ecological solutions for treating aquaculture wastewater have been developed, utilizing microbial purification and multi-level nutrient coordination to meet the Code's requirements for agricultural non-point source pollution control [7][9]. - Successful applications of these technologies have been reported in various regions, significantly improving wastewater discharge standards [7][9]. Group 4: Technological Innovations - The development of comprehensive water ecological governance technologies integrates various agents and methods to effectively address issues like eutrophication and black-odor water bodies [9][10]. - The emphasis on technological innovation is crucial for the implementation of the Code, with a focus on transforming technical advantages into dual benefits of increased water resources and reduced pollution [10].

Core Insights - The Algerian government has invested $2.4 billion to build five desalination plants, increasing the share of desalinated water in the total water supply from 18% to 42% [1] - The government plans to construct six additional desalination plants by 2030 to alleviate water scarcity and improve the quality of life for citizens [1] - Algeria faces severe water shortages due to frequent droughts, making desalination a critical solution [1] Company Involvement - The Oran desalination project, with a capacity of 300,000 tons, is the first large-scale desalination facility built by a Chinese company in Algeria, showcasing China's engineering capabilities [1][2] - The project utilizes advanced reverse osmosis membrane technology for effective salt and impurity removal, producing high-quality freshwater [2] - The project is expected to benefit over 2 million people and provide a stable water source for agricultural development [2] Local Impact - Chinese companies are actively involved in local talent development, with Algerian employees gaining advanced technical and management skills during the project [2] - The Algerian government has established 23 desalination plants with a total daily capacity of 1.5 million tons, with ongoing projects to further enhance water supply [2] - Algeria aims to recycle 60% of wastewater for agricultural irrigation by 2030, with significant room for improvement in wastewater treatment efficiency [2] Broader Implications - The involvement of Chinese enterprises in Algeria's desalination projects is seen as a significant contribution to addressing water scarcity, promoting local employment, and supporting sustainable development [3]

Core Insights - The desalination industry in China is experiencing significant growth, with a total of 156 desalination projects in operation by the end of 2023, achieving a processing capacity of 2.523 million tons per day, representing a year-on-year increase of 7% [1][4][8] Industry Overview - Desalination is a technology that converts seawater into freshwater, providing a stable water supply for coastal residents and industries, unaffected by time and climate [1] - The cost of desalination has been decreasing due to advancements in technology, with energy consumption for processing one cubic meter of seawater dropping from 5 kWh to less than 3 kWh over the past 20 years [1] Project Scale and Distribution - Among the existing desalination projects, those with a capacity of 1 million tons per day or more account for 230,000 tons per day, which is 92% of the total capacity [2] - The top three provinces in terms of desalination capacity are Zhejiang (800,000 tons/day), Shandong (710,000 tons/day), and Hebei (390,000 tons/day) [4][6] Regional Concentration - Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hebei together account for 75% of the total desalination capacity in China, highlighting a significant regional concentration in the industry [6] Growth Trends - In 2023, five provinces saw growth in desalination capacity, with Fujian leading at a 26% increase, followed by Shandong at 18%, and Guangdong at 10% [9] Technology Utilization - The predominant technology used in desalination projects includes reverse osmosis, which accounts for approximately 66% of the total capacity, while low-temperature multi-effect and multi-stage flash technologies account for about 32% and 0.2%, respectively [11]