Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Enowa, the water and energy company of Neom, entered into a partnership with Solvay, a leading chemical company, to build the world’s first carbon-neutral soda ash production plant in Neom, according to a recent press release.

The new facility is expected to be an industry-leading model for soda ash production on a global scale, serving as a crucial component in Enowa's Water Sustainability Strategy.

The new facility will convert seawater brine into soda ash and integrate the e.Solvay process for sustainable and carbon-neutral soda ash production.

It is projected to start with 500,000 tons of soda ash nameplate capacity by 2030 to be gradually maximized to 1.5 million tons by 2035, with the potential addition of sodium bicarbonate production.

The facility mirrors Neom’s dedication to developing a zero-liquid discharge water management system.

Gavin van Tonder, Managing Director of Water at Enowa, said: "With this partnership, NEOM is poised to become a global blueprint for sustainable development through its investment in responsible water resource management.”

He added that the company aspires to build a model that enables communities to coexist sustainably with the environment.

On the other side, Philippe Kehren, CEO of Solvay, affirmed that the new plant will solidify the company’s global leadership position, ensuring a sustainable supply of carbon-neutral soda ash to our valued customers.

“Neom is a fantastic opportunity for Solvay to participate in building this land of the future. The soda ash plant at Neom will be the first of its kind, as it adopts the new e.Solvay process to attain carbon neutrality," Kehren added.

It is worth noting that Enowa also plans to establish the first renewable high-voltage smart grid in the world.