Italmatch Chemicals has signed a long-term supply agreement with the Saudi Water Authority, supporting desalination water treatment and localisation in Saudi Arabia.
Italmatch Chemicals has signed a long-term supply agreement with the Saudi Water Authority during a ceremony in Riyadh.
The agreement strengthens Italmatch’s presence in the Middle East and its position in water treatment, particularly for desalination applications in Saudi Arabia.
The signing was held in the presence of Italmatch Chemicals Group CEO and Founder Sergio Iorio, Saudi Water Authority President Abdullah Bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkareem, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Minister of Investment Fahad Bin Abduljalil Al-Saif, and other senior officials.
The Saudi Water Authority is responsible for regulating and overseeing Saudi Arabia’s water sector, with a mandate linked to long-term water security and Saudi Vision 2030.
Italmatch signs Saudi Water Authority agreement
The new agreement builds on a relationship between Italmatch Chemicals and the Saudi Water Authority that spans more than 40 years.
Italmatch said the agreement reinforces a shared commitment to developing local technologies for water treatment applications.
The company will bring expertise in phosphorus chemistry and water treatment additives, particularly scale inhibitors used in desalination.
Scale inhibitors are used to prevent mineral deposits from building up inside desalination equipment, helping plants maintain efficiency and reduce water or energy waste.
Italmatch says it is currently Saudi Arabia’s largest supplier of scale inhibitors for desalination, treating approximately 80% of the water generated in the country.
Water treatment localisation supports desalination sector
The signing forms part of Italmatch’s wider localisation programme in Saudi Arabia.
The programme is being developed with Dussur, the Saudi Arabian industrial investment company, which acquired a minority stake in Italmatch in 2023.
Italmatch said the localisation programme includes investment of up to $500m dedicated to phosphorus derivatives, including a new facility targeted for completion by the end of 2027.
The initiative is expected to create around 300 jobs and bring the share of value produced and sourced within Saudi Arabia above 90%.
The company said the programme is intended to help address water-related challenges in Saudi Arabia’s desalination plants.
Agreement linked to water security in Saudi Arabia
Sergio Iorio, Italmatch Chemicals Group CEO and Founder, said: “This agreement builds on a relationship between Italmatch and SWA that spans more than four decades, grounded on innovation, reliability, sustainability and technical support. The signing represents a direct contribution to the water security of Saudi Arabia and its local industrial development. Our collaboration with Saudi Water Authority has grown into a strategic partnership that today underpins one of the most significant localization stories in the Kingdom. We are proud to stand alongside our Saudi partners in building a capability that will serve generations to come. More importantly, Italmatch localization for SWA will be instrumental in accompanying SWA during the transition from thermal to reverse osmosis technology, where Italmatch today offers the most advanced solutions”.
Saudi Arabia’s National Water Strategy 2030 sets out objectives for water-sector sustainability, governance and long-term supply resilience.
The agreement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to expand and modernise desalination infrastructure as part of its wider water security agenda.
Italmatch cites local water treatment value chain
Adriano Costantini, Italmatch Chemicals Group General Manager Global Business, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most dynamic water treatment markets, driven by the rapid expansion of desalination infrastructure and the Kingdom’s strategic focus on water security. Localizing our technologies enables us to serve our customers more closely, with solutions tailored to Saudi Arabia’s specific water challenges, while strengthening our global supply reliability and supporting the development of a more resilient local water treatment value chain.”
Carlos Galeano, Italmatch Chemicals Middle East CEO, added: “This project changes how Saudi Arabia sources critical materials for its water sector. We are not just building a facility. We are building local capability: from Saudi non-traditional raw materials to finished solutions, from technology transfer to the development of Saudi engineering talent. It is a model built to last.
Italmatch Chemicals is a global specialty chemicals group headquartered in Genoa, Italy, with activities across water treatment, lubricants, energy, specialties and oleochemicals.
The group operates 20 production plants across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, supported by eight research and development centres.
For more coverage of water treatment and desalination-related technology, visit H2O Global News’ Water Treatment section.
Source: Italmatch Chemicals
