Doha, Qatar: QatarEnergy has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art salt production plant in Um Al Houl, Qatar, through a joint venture with Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC), Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. (QIMC), and other strategic partners. The project, part of QatarEnergy’s TAWTEEN localization program, is expected to cost around QR1 billion. This new plant aims to ensure Qatar’s self-sufficiency by producing industrial and table salts for local, regional, and international markets. The plant will also produce bromine, potassium chloride, and demineralized water, promoting product diversification and economic growth while enhancing the circular economy.

H.E. Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, highlighted the significance of the project in supporting industrial localization and sustainable practices within Qatar’s energy sector. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, focusing on innovation and economic growth. Al Kaabi noted that the project would transform reject water from reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units into valuable resources, setting new benchmarks for industrial efficiency and economic resilience. This initiative underscores QatarEnergy’s commitment to enhancing local supply chains and increasing industrial self-sufficiency.

The plant’s projected production capacity of one million tons per annum will significantly reduce Qatar's reliance on imported raw materials, as the country currently imports about 850,000 tons of table and industrial salts annually. The TAWTEEN program, which has already created 7,000 white-collar jobs since its launch in 2019, supports the localization of services and industries in Qatar’s energy sector. The project represents a strong public-private partnership aimed at achieving strategic national objectives, with TAWTEEN having allocated 78 out of its target of 100 investment opportunities to bolster local content and industrial growth.