Ecolab's business volume in Egypt, MENA hits $200m - Interview

The business volume of US-based water treatment and purification solutions company Ecolab in Egypt and the MENA region has reached $200 million, Vishal Sharma, Senior Vice President - India, Middle East, and Africa at Ecolab, told Mubasher.

In 2021, Ecolab helped its customers in Egypt save 2.40 billion litres of drinking water, enough to meet the annual drinking water needs of two million people, and cut CO2 emissions by some 222,000 kilograms.

At a global level, Ecolab treated and managed 4.10 trillion litres of water last year, reduced energy consumption by 45 trillion British thermal units (Btu), avoided 3.60 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and conserved 813 billion litres of water.

Ecolab has plans to invest in manufacturing capabilities in a number of countries and launch many products in India and the Middle East & Africa (IMEA) region. It further cooperates with some governments in the fields of water, environment, and hygiene, the Ecolab official revealed.

The company’s revenues hit $13 billion globally across the sectors of water, hygiene, and infection prevention.

The IMEA region is considered one of the most freshwater-scarce geographies worldwide and it comprises 15 out of the 17 most water-stressed countries globally. Local habits and practices in these countries worsen the problem, Sharma noted.

Estimates show that 70% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of MENA-based nations is generated in water-poor areas. Given the surging gap in water supply and demand and the fact that the MENA region is the world's most water-stressed area, a water crisis is expected in the near future if no emergency measures intervene, he explained.