LG Chem Supplies Reverse Osmosis Membranes to Morocco's World's Largest Fertilizer Complex

LG Chem will supply seawater reverse osmosis membranes (RO membranes) to the world's largest fertilizer complex.

On the 21st, LG Chem announced that it will supply about 18,000 reverse osmosis membranes to the Jorf Lasfar Industrial Complex operated by Morocco's state-owned mineral and fertilizer company OCP Group. Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa, Jorf Lasfar is the world's largest fertilizer production complex, producing 4 million tons of phosphates and over 10 million tons of fertilizer annually.

LG Chem reverse osmosis membrane capacity for Mediterranean coastal seawater desalination (Provided by LG Chem)

LG Chem plans to sequentially supply the reverse osmosis membranes to Jorf Lasfar by May. The 18,000 RO membranes can desalinate 90 million tons of seawater annually (246,000 tons per day), producing water sufficient for about 1.9 million people in the Morocco region. Since desalination facilities require continuous replacement, the supply volume is expected to increase by at least 26,000 units in the future.

Although LG Chem's RO membranes have been introduced in some desalination facilities operated by OCP, this is the first large-scale supply contract. The Jorf Lasfar Industrial Complex, which suffers from freshwater shortages due to its hot and dry climate, plans to secure industrial water necessary for fertilizer production and drinking water for 1.5 million residents in nearby Safi and El Jadida through the seawater desalination project.

LG Chem's RO membranes utilize Thin Film Nanocomposite (TFN) technology, which coats nanoparticles on the membrane surface to maintain salt removal rates while producing over 20% more water than competing products. Since high pressure is not required, energy savings are possible, which is expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, LG Chem desalinated water amounts to 5.1 million tons per day, reaching 1.86 billion tons annually. Based on the global average daily water usage per person (110 liters), this volume can supply water to more than 46 million people.

Hyung Hoon, Executive Director of the RO Membrane Business Division, stated, "Through consecutive large-scale project wins in Egypt, Israel, Algeria, and others, we have maintained a high market share in the Mediterranean coastal seawater desalination market. By securing this large-scale project in Morocco, we will further solidify LG Chem RO membranes' leadership in the Mediterranean market and continue to provide value that customers desire based on differentiated technology."

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