The two companies will engage in joint research to reduce the energy consumption associated with membranes used in ACWA Power’s desalination plants.
Toray will analyse ACWA Power’s operational plants to provide commercially viable solutions to improve energy efficiency.
Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power, said: “This collaboration with Toray contributes to our vision to improve the way energy is utilised in the desalination of water, and furthers our commitment to providing potable water to communities in a responsible, sustainable and cost-effective manner.”
“We are proud to support ACWA Power’s commitment to sustainability by jointly researching innovative ways to enhance the energy efficiency of membrane technologies, contributing to the overall sustainability objectives of both ACWA Power and Saudi Arabia,” said Kimio Kimura, president of Toray Membrane Middle East.
Since 2007, ACWA Power has used Toray’s advanced solutions in several projects. Currently, nearly 4 million m3/day of desalinated water produced out of eight plants in ACWA Power’s portfolio deploys Toray’s reverse osmosis (RO) products, with another 1.3 million m3/day expected to be added once two other plants achieve commercial operation. This represents almost 20% of Toray’s global market presence.
Toray is also involved in a joint venture called Toray Membrane Middle East alongside Saudi-based Abunayyan Holding, which will deliver the Kingdom’s first RO membrane manufacturing plant in Dammam, scheduled to start operations in 2025.
