Saudi Arabia has solidified its position as a global leader in water desalination by doubling its production capacity while pioneering technologies to repurpose brine, a harmful byproduct of the process, into valuable resources. This is reported by
Arab News.
Water desalination, essential for addressing water scarcity in arid regions, separates salt from seawater to produce safe drinking water.
Furthermore, Saudi researchers have developed methods to minimise environmental impact, such as dispersing salt over a 2-kilometre radius and exploring mineral recovery solutions.
According to the researchers, lithium, essential for battery production, is 5,000 times more abundant in seawater than on land.
To further enhance sustainability, Saudi researchers are integrating desalination with energy production through innovative methods like reverse electrodialysis, creating a closed-loop system.
This approach could transform desalination plants into “seawater factories,” where water becomes just one of many valuable outputs.
Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable desalination is not only addressing water scarcity but also paving the way for a future where the sea becomes a source of energy, minerals, and economic opportunity.
Photo:
iStock
