Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in sustainable water management, tackling wastewater concerns while creating a valuable source of raw materials for various industries.

Researchers at the Saudi Water Authority’s (SWA) Water Technologies Innovation Institute (WTIIRA) have achieved a world-first in water treatment technology. Utilizing advanced techniques, they are turning waste into valuable resources by extracting high-purity calcium carbonate (97%) from desalination wastewater and cement plant by-products (fly ash).

This innovation aligns perfectly with the Saudi Green Initiative’s goals. The project promotes a circular economy and reduces carbon emissions by minimizing brine discharge and integrating waste streams. This “zero brine return” technology is a key strategy for the SWA’s operational arm, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), to maximize the use of brine wastewater.

This project is a collaborative effort between WTIIRA, South Korea’s Taekyung Group, and Korea National University. After extensive research and engineering design, a pilot unit built in South Korea underwent rigorous testing in 2023, proving its effectiveness.

The project goes beyond calcium carbonate extraction. By 2030, SWA anticipates contributing an additional $400 million annually to the GDP.

This will be achieved by extracting valuable minerals like bromine, sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium sulfate from the brine at various stages. These resources are used in vital industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, construction, food, and chemicals.