Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo) announced that Toray Membrane Middle East LLC (TMME) has expanded capacity for desalination reverse osmosis (RO) membranes by initiating operations at a new facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. That upgrade made the company the first in the nation to integrate everything from membrane manufacturing through assembly. Toray will continue to support water infrastructure in the rapidly industrializing Middle East and North Africa region.
TMME’s New RO Membrane Factory – Exterior View
On November 12, 2025, TMME held a ceremony to commemorate that launch and the opening of the Middle East Water Treatment Engineering Center (MEWTEC), which became operational in April 2025. The numerous distinguished guests included His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, representatives of various ministries and agencies, Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and local business leaders. This ceremony celebrated these milestones, which reflected the achievements and trust that Toray has built over more than a decade of joint ventures with Saudi entities and signaled expectations for further development.
Recent years have witnessed a transition from conventional evaporation techniques to membrane water treatment at desalination plants, significantly reducing energy consumption. With population growth and industrial development making water shortages more severe, membrane-based desalination technology is becoming essential for securing sustainable water resources. Expectations are also rising for energy-saving, high-performance membrane technology.
The new facility and MEWTEC will strengthen Toray’s capacity to deliver timely, energy-efficient membrane technology and help address regional water challenges.
Providing access to clean water is pivotal to Toray Vision 2030. The Toray Group will continue to deploy membrane technologies that contribute to sustainable water resource management worldwide.