GE to build new Saudi Arabia chemical blending facility

The new 7500 m2 chemical blending plant will enable GE to better serve customers in Saudi Arabia - bringing over 10,000 tonnes of new chemical production capabilities, a 1150 m2 chemical and equipment storage expansion, and expedited customer response times. The Dammam facility will also include a GE water treatment laboratory and commercial office space.

"The new facility will enable GE to best serve the Saudi Arabia's growing demand for quality water treatment solutions and technologies," said Ralph Hadley, General Manager of GE Water & Process Technologies, Middle East and Africa Operations. "Our commitment to the region and our investment in the facility strengthens our position and capabilities in Saudi Arabia."

Scheduled to commence operation in late 2007, the facility will initially blend a number of chemical products used in many industries, including power, oil, gas and manufacturing. The facility will also serve the municipal water and wastewater sector. The first phase of the site will have storage capacity for around 1000 tonnes of chemicals, as well as, storage capacity for large equipment and consumables often used in projects throughout the Kingdom. The Dammam facility will also leverage another GE chemical facility located in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates in order to will broaden the breadth of water treatment products available to Saudi Arabia's industries and municipalities.

As water demand grows, GE's Dammam facility will bring advanced water, water reuse, wastewater and processes solutions to help meet and balance local industrial, municipal and environmental water needs. For the past 70 years, GE has played a critical role in the development of the Saudi Arabia's infrastructure and has a relationship with the Al Tamimi Group going back to 1957. The Dammam facility is another example of GE's ongoing commitment to best serve our customers in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region.