Expansion and upgrades to existing machinery is on the cards for Riyadh-based Saudi Industries for Desalination and Systems (Sidmas), according to executive manager Abdulmohsin Al Mousa.

The company, a leading manufacturer of water desalination membranes, is responding to increased activity which has seen business rise 42 per cent this year compared to last year.

"The prospects for next year suggest a 30 per cent improvement on this year," says Al Mousa.

Sidmas is said to be the only Saudi company specialising in the production of membrane elements for water desalination by reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration. It also offers desalination plants in various capacities for both underground and sea water applications, made to the most modern specifications and in a wide range of capacities. The company also supplies pressure vessels, desalination plant accessories and chemicals for water treatment from its base in Riyadh's Second Industrial City.

With improved business prospects, Sidmas has taken steps recently to enhance its after-sales services to further improve customer satisfaction, says Al Mousa. With upgraded equipment, the company is now aiming to produce state-of-the-art reverse osmosis units by applying the latest technologies.

Recent major projects for the company include the 32,000 cu m per day Manfouha water treatment plant in Riyadh, for which the company supplied membrane elements; and the Malaz water treatment plant, which has a capacity of 12,000 cu m per day also in Riyadh, for which Sidmas supplied and installed reverse osmosis membranes with.

With turnover increasing and 2003 expected to be an even better year, Sidmas has certainly been moving from strength to strength since its establishment in 1989.