MUSCAT, APRIL 12
In a significant stride toward industrial self-reliance and water sustainability, local start-up Tasnee has successfully developed Oman’s first locally manufactured reverse osmosis (RO) membrane — the result of four years of dedicated research, real-world testing, and innovation.
This homegrown achievement marks a turning point in the Sultanate of Oman’s water treatment sector, aligning with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification, technological advancement, and reduced import dependency.
“It’s easy to assume membrane production is straightforward, but the reality was full of challenges,” shared Dr Salim Abdulla al Wahebi, founder and CEO of Tasnee. “We had to build everything from the ground up — from the right formula and raw materials to performance testing and field trials.”
The journey began at the Masirah Island desalination plant, where Tasnee trialed prototypes under extreme conditions. High salinity, fluctuating temperatures, and component degradation tested the membrane’s resilience at every stage. “Sometimes parts were damaged, and we had to go deep into root cause analysis — asking why it happened, what needed to change, and how to fix it. We revised formulas, changed materials, even redesigned parts. It was a huge learning curve,” Dr Salim recalled.
After numerous iterations and continuous fine-tuning, the final membrane formula was stabilized over a nine-month success streak. Tasnee’s team not only improved performance but also exceeded their initial targets. The membrane now demonstrates strong rejection rates, durability in harsh conditions, and optimal efficiency for seawater desalination, municipal, and drinking water applications.
Raw material procurement played a critical role, requiring a global search to meet Tasnee’s high-performance benchmarks. With supply chains secured and manufacturing lines optimized, full-scale production began in 2025.
Today, the RO membrane is being leveraged as a key contributor to Oman’s In-Country Value (ICV) strategy, replacing imported alternatives and strengthening national capability. Tasnee is currently focused on local utilization, with plans to expand across the GCC and eventually into international markets.
This achievement reinforces Oman’s growing reputation as a regional leader in sustainable water solutions — driven by innovation, persistence, and a long-term vision for self-sufficiency.
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