What defines Fisia Italimpianti’s position in the global water sector, and how does its relationship with the Webuild Group shape its activities?

Fisia Italimpianti has spent nearly a century building a reputation for engineering reliability in environmental management and water treatment. Its focus on technological innovation and operational efficiency has made it a recognised name in desalination worldwide. 

The company is part of the Webuild Group, an international leader in sustainable infrastructure with over €12bn in revenues and a substantial global project portfolio. By belonging to a group with over a century of experience in designing and delivering complex infrastructure, Fisia Italimpianti is able to operate with the financial strength, technical resources and international reach needed to serve countries facing urgent water challenges.

How has the company contributed to the development of desalination technology in the Middle East?

Fisia Italimpianti entered the Middle Eastern market in the early 1980s, beginning with its first desalination plant in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Over the decades, it has completed more than 30 projects in the region, steadily expanding its technical capabilities. Today, its desalination plants provide approximately 4.8 million cubic metres of drinking water a day, sufficient for more than 20 million people.

The company has continually refined its technologies, moving from traditional thermal systems to advanced reverse osmosis processes that offer greater energy and environmental efficiency. This long-term presence has not only strengthened its technical expertise but has also contributed materially to water security across several Gulf countries.

Which projects best illustrate the complexity of Fisia Italimpianti’s work?

Several major projects demonstrate the company’s ability to execute large and technically demanding assignments. Among them is the Jebel Ali M desalination plant in the UAE, completed in 2012. It is one of the largest multi-stage flash facilities in the region and required careful coordination of engineering and logistics to bring eight high-capacity units into operation. 

Another significant project is the Shoaiba 3 expansion 2 plant in Saudi Arabia, which was delivered in 2019 and uses reverse osmosis technology to supply drinking water to more than one million people in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif. The company has also extended its work into industrial water treatment through the Zuluf water treatment plant, built for a consortium working on behalf of Saudi Aramco. This facility treats 185,000 cubic metres of industrial water a day for use in water injection processes.

Why does the Middle East remain a strategic region for the firm’s future?

The Middle East’s harsh climate and limited freshwater resources continue to create demand for high-performance desalination and water treatment solutions, making the region central to Fisia Italimpianti’s growth strategy. The company’s long-standing experience in dealing with these conditions gives it a strong foundation for future projects. As part of the Webuild Group, Fisia Italimpianti is able to draw on wider group expertise in financing, developing and managing major infrastructure initiatives. This places the company in a strong position to take on future roles not only as a contractor but also as a developer. 

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