Ion Exchange expands Bahrain business

The company’s new chemical blending facility in Bahrain will serve as the chemical export hub for the GCC region and North Arab states.

Ion Exchange, one of India’s largest environment solutions providers, has launched a new chemical blending facility in Bahrain. The company is expanding its facility in Bahrain in order to improve the products and services it offers the wider GCC region, a market currently worth around $1.5 trillion.

The new facility will serve as the chemical export hub for the GCC region and North Arab states, creating around 30 jobs over the course of the next three years.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which provides advice and practical help to companies establishing operations in Bahrain, assisted Ion Exchange with company set up and other business requirements in order to ensure the company’s successful inception.

Rapid demographic growth and economic expansion in the GCC in recent years have created a strong demand for water treatment technologies and services. Ion Exchange has over 50 years’ experience specialising in water treatment and provides a complete portfolio of advanced environmental solutions to industrial, institutional, residential, home, rural and urban developments.

The company has a strong global presence with plants in various parts of the world, with offices in the Middle East, South East Asia, Africa, Canada and USA.

Husain Rajab, Director of Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) said: “We are delighted to have been able to support the establishment and expansion of Ion Exchange’s business here in Bahrain. GCC needs to invest significantly in water and wastewater treatment related infrastructure over the coming years, and with an open business environment, highly-educated workforce, mature regulatory system and the freest economy in the Middle East, Bahrain offers a strong access point to the region for global sector-leaders like Ion Exchange.

“Bahrain has a strong relationship with India, being home to a large expatriate community and with a number of successful Indian firms such as JBF Industries, Chemco and the State Bank of India, and ICICI Bank. We expect to continue to attract many more Indian firms to Bahrain in the future.”

Rajesh Sharma, CMD, Ion Exchange, also commented on the announcement: “Ion Exchange has successfully executed globally tendered projects and exported plants to the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia, to the stringent requirements of customers, consultants and EPC contractors. It has made it presence felt in Europe and the USA with export of resins and water treatment chemicals. The launch of the new Bahrain facility is part of our wider strategy to ensure proximity to our GCC and North Arab market. Bahrain is located at the heart of the Gulf market with excellent transport and logistics connections throughout the region. We are expanding to meet the GCC’s rising demand for water treatment products and services and are excited to work closely with organisations like the EDB to ensure our success.”

Ion Exchange joins a number of other Indian companies that have recently expanded operations in Bahrain as a means of serving growth in the Middle East region. These include manufacturing firm Electrosteel, whose new $6.6 million warehouse will act as the sales and distributions hub for the region, and Synergies Castings Limited, who are establishing an aluminium casting and specialty alloy wheel manufacturing facility in Bahrain.

India and Bahrain enjoy close economic relations with trade between the two nations reaching $674 million in 2015. More than 350,000 Indian nationals are currently living in Bahrain.

The Bahrain EDB has offices based at the Bahrain Embassy in Delhi and the Bahrain Consulate in Mumbai that provide information and support to interested investors in the South Asia region. The Bahrain EDB is a dynamic public agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate. EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

Ion Exchange (India) pioneered water treatment in India and today is regarded as Asia’s largest environment solutions provider, with a strong global presence with offices spread across Africa, Canada, Middle East, South East Asia and the US. It is among just few companies worldwide with the entire range of technologies, processes, products and services, enabling integrated solutions for every sector – industrial, institutional, commercial, infrastructure, municipal, homes and communities, urban and rural.

For further information:
Rajesh John, Regional Manager – Bahrain
Tel: +97333459898
Email: rajesh.john@ionexchangeglobal.com | iei.bahrain@ionexchangeglobal.com
Web: www.ionindia.com