Dow Chemical enters commercial agreement for desalination technologies

The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), a government body responsible for desalinating seawater, has entered into a commercial agreement with Dow Chemical Company to jointly research desalination technologies in Saudi Arabia.

The two partners will begin with a pilot project to test the viability of the desalination technologies developed by Dow Water & Process Solutions (DW&PS) in the high-saline, high-temperature conditions of the Arabian Gulf.

Dow’s two technologies DOW UltraFiltration and DOW FILMTEC reverse osmosis technologies will be tested by the Saline Water Desalination Research Institute (SWDRI) in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, for a period of over one year.

SWDRI director Ibrahim Al Tisan said the institute will test the effectiveness of the technologies in the challenging water conditions of Gulf of Arabia.

"As the sole producer of desalinated water in Saudi Arabia, we are looking at cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to boost our operational efficiencies and the quality of our product," Tisan added.

"Our decision to partner with Dow and explore the possibility of introducing new, more effective, technologies, reflects this commitment."

DW&PS Europe, Middle East and Africa commercial director and Dow Middle East and Africa Advanced Materials general manager Ilham Kadri said, "Through such joint development activities, we are able to combine over five decades of Dow’s global expertise with SWCC ‘s valuable experience and insights to help address local and regional water needs in a sustainable manner."

In 2011 Dow also announced plans to invest in a manufacturing facility for DOW FILMTEC RO elements in the country.

In 2009, Dow also signed a research and development collaboration agreement with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology focusing on water and water treatment technologies.

---

Image: Dow Chemical corporate headquarters in Michigan.US. Photo: Mgre@son.