QatarEnergy has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Qatar Salt Products Company (QSalt), a significant initiative under its TAWTEEN localization program. This strategic partnership includes Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC), holding a 40% stake, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) with 30%, and Turkiye’s Atlas Yatirim Planlama, which also holds a 30% share. The joint venture plans to build a cutting-edge salt production facility in the Um Al Houl area of Qatar, which will be operated by Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) and Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC).

The MOU signing took place during a special ceremony at QatarEnergy’s Headquarters in Doha, attended by senior executives from QatarEnergy and the participating companies. His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, was present to witness this milestone. In his remarks, Minister Al-Kaabi emphasized the importance of this joint venture, stating, “We are pleased to witness the establishment of this very important joint venture that will help enhance Qatar’s self-sufficiency by producing both industrial and table salts to meet local demand and support regional and international exports.”

He further congratulated all partners involved in Qatar Salt Products Company, expressing confidence that the project would bolster the supply chain and industrial localization within Qatar while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of QIMC, expressed enthusiasm for being part of this pioneering project, highlighting its use of advanced technology to harness brine from the desalination process. He commended QatarEnergy for enhancing private sector contributions to the national economy.

Mr. Nusret Argun, Chairman of Atlas Yatirim Planlama, also commented on the significance of the project. He noted, “We are proud to have come to the realization phase of this project, which will serve localization and supply security by meeting both industrial and food-grade salt needs. As a Turkish company in Qatar, we are pleased to be involved in such an initiative.”

The new plant, with an estimated investment of around one billion Qatari Riyals, aims to produce a variety of products, including industrial salts crucial for the petrochemical industry, bromine, potassium chlorides, and demineralized water. By employing reject water recovery from reverse osmosis desalination units, the facility will turn desalination waste into a valuable resource. With a production capacity of one million tons annually, this plant is set to significantly reduce Qatar’s dependence on imported salts, currently estimated at 850,000 tons per year. As part of the TAWTEEN program, the project emphasizes enhancing local content and fostering domestic industry growth, showcasing a robust public-private partnership aimed at achieving critical national objectives.