SUEZ Builds China's Largest Industrial Membrane Desalination Plant for Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park to Meet Industrial Needs and Protect Scarce Water Resources

A landmark desalination plant designed and built by SUEZ for Wanhua Chemical Group has officially started operation at Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park in Yantai, Shandong. The project has a total designed capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day and is built in three phases. It is the largest industrial membrane desalination project planned in China to date. Local government officials and representatives of major partners such as Wanhua Chemical Group, China Railway Shanghai Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang International Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. and SUEZ Group gathered together to witness this important milestone in Sino-French cooperation on sustainable water solutions.

Liao Zengtai, Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group, said: "The completion and commissioning of the Penglai desalination project is not only a solid step for Wanhua to develop a green and low-carbon industry, but also an important milestone in the innovative application of China's desalination technology. Through cooperation with Suez, the project has adopted advanced technology and optimal processes, reaching the world's leading level and setting a global benchmark for energy efficiency in the desalination industry. As a leader in the chemical new materials industry, Wanhua will continue to work with Suez to jointly promote the transformation and upgrading of the industry and contribute to the global desalination industry."

Pierre Pauliac, Co-CEO of SUEZ Group and COO of Water Business, said: "SUEZ has nearly 60 years of experience, designing, building and operating more than 260 desalination plants worldwide, providing tailor-made high-performance solutions for municipal and industrial customers. The Penglai Desalination Plant is built to the highest industrial standards and is a milestone project in the successful cooperation between SUEZ and Wanhua Chemical Group since 2017. The commissioning of the first phase of the project sets a benchmark for desalination in China's coastal areas. It is a powerful demonstration that the combination of innovation, ambition and cooperation can solve the urgent freshwater needs of coastal areas."

Wang Jianying, Chairman of China Railway Shanghai Engineering Group Co., Ltd., said: "This is the largest industrial membrane desalination project currently planned and constructed in China. China Railway Shanghai Group adheres to the common mission of building a 'lighthouse project', integrates resources, scientifically plans, and strictly implements safety and quality management throughout the process. With the joint efforts of the consortium partners, we completed the delivery of the entire project with high quality within 14 months, demonstrating our team's unwavering commitment, resilience and pursuit of the highest standards."

Wu Liyun, Chairman of Beijing Shougang International Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., said: "Shougang International Engineering has completed nearly 800 projects for more than 200 customers around the world. The high-quality construction of this project fully demonstrates Shougang International Engineering's commitment to technology-driven innovation and integrates the full life cycle of the desalination plant using BIM technology. Today, we celebrate this fruitful international cooperation in the field of sustainable water solutions with our partners Wanhua Chemical Group, SUEZ Group and China Railway Shanghai Engineering Group. We look forward to making further contributions to the sustainable development of global water resources."

As a global leader in membrane desalination engineering, SUEZ brings international expertise and innovative technologies to the plant. The Group uses advanced reverse osmosis membrane technology to convert seawater into fresh water as the main industrial water source for Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park.

The facility uses a low-carbon, energy-saving and environmentally friendly process, which can save more than 15% of costs compared with traditional double membrane technology. After the first phase of the project is fully put into operation, the daily desalinated water output will reach 100,000 cubic meters, saving more than 36 million cubic meters of fresh water per year. In addition, the facility is equipped with an advanced automation system and is China's first fully automated desalination plant.

As part of the national water security strategy, China is expanding the scale of desalination. For example, Shandong Province faces severe water shortages, with per capita water resources less than one-sixth of the national average. With its locational advantages, Shandong Province has listed desalination as a strategic and rapidly developing industry.