In a landmark initiative for industrial innovation, Singapore-based MediSun Energy has joined forces with EMSTEEL (ADX: EMSTEEL) to launch Project Elixir—the UAE’s first pilot system to transform desalination brine into renewable blue energy and magnesium carbonate. Announced on May 23, the project marks a critical step toward circular economy practices, turning industrial byproducts into usable resources.
Backed by ADQ’s AED 100 Million Innovation Fund
Project Elixir is supported by a AED 100 million R&D fund introduced in 2022 by ADQ, a sovereign investment entity focused on infrastructure and supply chain resilience. The initiative falls under ADQ Growth Lab, which fosters cutting-edge innovation across strategic sectors of the UAE economy.
Two Brine-to-Resource Systems to Be Deployed at EMSTEEL’s Abu Dhabi Plant
The pilot will be hosted at EMSTEEL’s facility in Abu Dhabi and feature two proprietary systems developed by MediSun:
- WEGen RED System: Capable of processing 500 cubic metres of brine daily, it generates blue energy using Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) with lower energy consumption than traditional desalination.
- WEGen Green Pilot: Treats 30 cubic metres of brine per day and captures carbon dioxide to produce up to 300 kilograms of magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) daily, offering a sustainable replacement for dololime in steelmaking.
Together, these systems demonstrate how desalination brine—usually considered a waste stream—can be transformed into renewable power and low-carbon industrial inputs, aligning with the UAE’s decarbonization objectives.
Supporting Green Steel and Industrial Transformation
The magnesium carbonate produced will be trialed in EMSTEEL’s electric arc furnace (EAF) operations, potentially reducing carbon emissions linked to conventional steel additives.
Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, highlighted the strategic significance:
“This collaboration with MediSun Energy marks a significant step in redefining industrial sustainability. The ability to convert desalination brine into clean energy and valuable materials directly supports our decarbonization strategy and aligns with national objectives for circularity and innovation.”
Dusun Kim, CEO of MediSun Energy, added:
“This pilot represents a breakthrough for industrial sustainability in the UAE. By turning brine waste into clean power and green materials, we’re demonstrating a circular model for the future of steelmaking. We’re proud to partner with EMSTEEL on this historic initiative.”
The pilot is scheduled for installation by mid-2025. MediSun will oversee engineering, installation, and operation, while Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company (EEIC) will support local assembly and integration without disrupting existing production.
