Founded with a vision for sustainable waste management, Holoul Electronic Recycling Treatment Co has become a key pillar in Saudi Arabia’s e-scrap ecosystem. General Manager Mohammed Ghurab shares the company’s journey and offers insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector.

Holoul Electronic Recycling Treatment Company’s story began in 2013, when three companies,  Dallah Al Baraka, Saker Al Jazirah, and Rotoub,  joined forces to explore new opportunities in the waste sector, with Dhalla Al Baraka taking the lead. “Holoul began as an idea to explore new opportunities in the waste sector,” recalls its General Manager Mohammed Ghurab.  

Leveraging Dhalla Al Baraka’s strong legacy in local markets & Regional markets in managing different streams of waste, including some of the Saudi Arabia’s first industrial waste treatment facility, engineered landfills and material recovery facilities, Holoul set out to pioneer formal e-scrap recycling in a market that was virtually untapped at the time.

First movers in the e-scrap landscape 

A market study conducted by Dhalla identified a significant gap: there was no formal infrastructure for handling e-scrap. “E-scrap was being routed through scrap yards, auctions, and even exported, despite its considerable value,” explains Ghurab. “Recognising this opportunity, Dallah took the initiative to establish the Kingdom’s first specialised electronic recycling company.”

Holoul established a 9,000 sq. m. state-of-the-art facility, equipped with shredding technology and a dedicated team trained in health, safety, and material processing. “It has been a long journey of building the team, educating them on proper processing methods, emphasising health and safety, and developing the market,” explains Ghurab. The facility currently processes around 10,000 tonnes of e-scrap annually through shredding, while manual dismantling for high-value components handles approximately 1,200 tonnes per year.

In addition, Holoul offers a mobile data destruction service, bringing secure shredding to clients’ premises. “We take care of sensitive data, shredding hard drives or any data-containing devices, and also manage the safe transportation of e-scrap from client locations to our facility. Whether through shredding or hand dismantling, Holoul is truly a one-stop shop for electronic waste management,” says Ghurab. 

Introducing Reuse in 2026

As part of its circular economy strategy, the company plans to expand into ‘reuse’ in 2026. It aims to give electronics a second life when there are no destruction restrictions.

“If we receive a laptop that doesn’t need to be destroyed, we try to refurbish it: perhaps replacing the hard drive or monitor. If it passes all tests, we sell it in the market. It’s like a second-hand market,” explains Ghurab. While this is currently done on a small scale, the new service will formalise and expand these activities.

Supporting Vision 2030 goals

Holoul’s ambitions align closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to divert waste from landfills and foster a circular economy. “One of the most exciting developments in Saudi Arabia is Vision 2030, under the leadership of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. As part of this Vision, the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) was established as the Kingdom’s sole waste regulator, playing a pivotal role in advancing the circular economy,” says Ghurab.

Holoul sees itself as a key pillar of e-scrap recycling in Saudi Arabia, aiming to achieve these targets. While enthusiasm for recycling is growing, the sector remains at an early stage. “Although a lot of recycling is happening, it needs to be formalised and expanded. Education is crucial — for clients, individuals, and communities. There is still significant scope for growth,” he notes.

The company is committed to diverting e-scrap from landfills and reintegrating materials back into the economy. Achieving this requires collaboration between private companies, regulators, manufacturers, and communities. Only through coordinated efforts can e-scrap be safely processed and fully integrated into a circular system, he adds. 

A young but promising market

Saudi Arabia’s e-scrap market is evolving rapidly, with regulations now in place and MWAN taking the lead, implementing the regulations,” says Ghurab. “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is part of the law. Implementation is ongoing, but there is room for improvement. With further support, the market will grow: it’s very exciting yet challenging.”

Untapped opportunities exist across the value chain. Plastics from e-scrap are still difficult to process or find buyers for, and downstream precious metal recovery remains an area for investment. “The market needs expertise and investment at multiple points to achieve a closed-loop circular economy,” he adds.

Challenges in collection, data, and mindset

Education remains the main challenge. “People need to understand the importance of giving e-scrap to proper recyclers. Collection and access to material remain significant hurdles,” Ghurab explains.

E-scrap also involves data security and hazardous materials. “It contains personal or organisational data, lithium batteries, lead, mercury, and valuable non-ferrous metals. For safety, individuals and organisations must work with specialised recyclers,” he says.

Another hurdle is how organisations perceive e-scrap. Large volumes often originate from corporate and government entities, yet many treat it as a financial asset rather than waste, even if fully depreciated, he notes. This approach frequently overlooks regulatory and environmental responsibilities, as well as data security. “Organisations and government agencies must segregate e-scrap and partner with authorised recyclers, ensuring safe processing, secure data destruction, and contribution to the circular economy for future generations.” 

“The market is young, exciting, and full of opportunities, but it requires collaboration, education, and investment to unlock its full potential,” concludes Ghurab.