#Water Treatment #Shanghai Electric #desalination

Shanghai Electric Climbs to Fifth in Global Desalination Rankings

Shanghai Electric, listed on the Hong Kong (SEHK: 2727) and Shanghai (SSE: 601727) stock exchanges, has officially claimed the fifth position in the global ranking for newly constructed seawater desalination projects from 2024 to 2025. This impressive leap, moving up four spots from the previous ranking, has been reported by the International Desalination and Water Reuse Association (IDRA) along with the Global Water Intelligence (GWI) organization.

The ranking reflects not only the capacity added in recent years but also the cumulative achievements over the last decade. Between 2016 and 2025, Shanghai Electric has significantly improved its standing and is now ranked eighth worldwide in terms of accumulated project capacity. This shift showcases the company’s ongoing commitment and expertise in the field of water treatment solutions.

A company spokesperson credited this enhancement in reputation to the substantial international recognition of Shanghai Electric's expertise in desalination projects. The success is attributed to the company's investment in over ten years of specialized development in both thermal and membrane technologies, essential for efficient and environmentally friendly desalination processes. Furthermore, Shanghai Electric aims to continue addressing global water scarcity issues by providing high-performance, cost-effective desalination solutions.

One of the remarkable aspects of Shanghai Electric is that it is among a select few global companies that manage two principal desalination technologies: Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) and Reverse Osmosis (RO). This capability positions them to offer comprehensive solutions based on both of these advanced technologies, significantly enhancing their service delivery.

Among their notable projects is the Hengyi petrochemical project in Brunei, noted as a reference project with a capacity of 3×12,500 tons per day that integrates low-temperature multi-effect distillation (LT-MED) and hot water evaporation technologies—pioneering innovations with entirely independent intellectual property rights.

Additionally, Shanghai Electric executed a substantial thermal desalination project for Zhejiang Petroleum Chemical Co., Ltd. This project, marked as the largest Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) initiative of its kind in China, has an overall capacity of 305,000 tons per day, leveraging Front Multi-Effect Distillation (F-MED) technology powered by industrial waste heat. The company also launched a hybrid thermal-membrane desalination project for Yulong Petrochemical in Jintang, with a capacity of 160,000 tons per day. This utilizes a new hybrid technology, integrating thermal and membrane processes to achieve eco-friendly and resource-efficient water production.

Going forward, Shanghai Electric is committed to leveraging its extensive technological portfolio and global project experience to deliver greener, more economical, and reliable sustainable water solutions to clients around the world. By continuously innovating and adapting its offerings, the company positions itself as a leader in addressing global water scarcity while contributing impactful