Work will soon begin on the 240-hectare site allocated for the environmental project, close to the leased-out first phase of Sohar Freezone. The Omani utility be’ah has been tasked with restructuring and privatising the solid waste sector and is spearheading this project. “Our main objective is to structure the waste sector in a sustainable manner; to eliminate or reduce environmental damage incurred during traditional waste dumping processes; and to support the creation of more incountry value in Oman by developing the waste sector,” said Tariq Ali Al-Amri, Chief Executive Officer, be’ah. “This new project will develop the infrastructure required to handle any waste and access materials that come out of industries in SOHAR in an environmentally sustainable way,” he added.

“Excellent road connectivity in Sohar, as well as future rail links with other industrial hubs in the region, were some of the main factors for locating the treatment plant here,” said Jamal Aziz, Sohar Freezone CEO.The integrated industrial waste treatment facility will serve as the cornerstone of industrial waste management infrastructure being developed for Sohar and will include a dedicated waste solidification facility; units for thermal, physical and chemical treatment designed to process different types of industrial waste; as well as landfills. The facility will treat and process waste with maximum safety in accordance with international standards.

The metals cluster in Sohar creates solid waste, or slag, and Freezone CEO Jamal Aziz is particularly excited about one spinoff from the new facilities: “Soon we will be able to recycle industrial slag from our iron and steel production, and use it as aggregate for the new roads we’re building in our Freezone.” Speaking after the signing ceremony, Sohar Port CEO, Andre Toet said: “Behind all the technology and investment we’ve discussed today, our number one priority is very simple: we want to preserve the environment of this beautiful country Oman and for all generations to come.”