Oman and UAE launch water‑reuse initiatives for biofuel and mineral production

In Muscat, Nama Water Services partnered with Hema Energy to start a pilot project cultivating camelina on land irrigated with recycled wastewater. The programme will evaluate crop productivity, carbon‑sequestration potential and the feasibility of turning the oilseed into biofuel and carbon credits. Support comes from Sultan Qaboos University, the Environment Authority and the Oman Net Zero Centre, which will verify environmental compliance and align the work with Oman’s carbon‑neutral goals.

In the United Arab Emirates, researchers are testing methods to extract valuable minerals such as magnesium, calcium, bromine, potassium, lithium and strontium from desalination brine. The aim is to turn the salty by‑product of water treatment into raw materials for industry, agriculture and health, advancing the country’s circular‑economy agenda. The team is also exploring 3‑D‑printed structures for coral‑reef restoration, linking resource recovery with marine‑conservation efforts.