Major Shake-up in Qatar’s Industrial Sector: Mesaieed Petrochemical Takes 60% Stake in Key Salt Project as Turkish Partner Exits

Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co. has announced a significant restructuring of its strategic salt production project, forging a powerful new domestic alliance with Mesaieed Petrochemical after its Turkish partner formally withdrew.

DOHA, QATAR – Qatar’s industrial landscape saw a major strategic shift today as Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) announced a complete overhaul of its salt production project partnership. In a move that consolidates local industrial power, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company will now lead the venture with a majority 60% stake.

The restructuring was triggered by the formal withdrawal of the project’s Turkish partner, “Atlas,” from the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This departure has paved the way for a new, all-Qatari alliance set to drive the strategically important project forward.

Under the revised ownership structure, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) will retain a significant 40% stake, transitioning from a lead partner to a still-critical minority stakeholder.

This development signals a clear intent to strengthen Qatar’s domestic supply chain and industrial self-sufficiency. The partnership brings together two of the nation’s industrial heavyweights:

• Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC): A subsidiary of the state-owned giant QatarEnergy, MPHC is a dominant force in the region’s petrochemical sector. Its entry into the salt project brings immense financial backing, technical expertise, and strategic alignment with Qatar’s national economic goals.

• Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC): A pioneer in Qatar’s industrial diversification, QIMC has a long history of developing and managing projects across various manufacturing sectors.

Strategic Importance of Salt Production

The project is more than just about producing table salt. Industrial-grade salt (sodium chloride) is a fundamental raw material for the chemical industry, particularly in the production of chlorine and caustic soda—key components used in manufacturing plastics, aluminum, water treatment chemicals, and other essential products.

By consolidating the project under local leadership, Qatar is enhancing its control over a vital industrial commodity, reducing reliance on foreign imports and creating powerful synergies between its petrochemical and manufacturing sectors. The involvement of Mesaieed Petrochemical strongly suggests the salt produced will be a critical feedstock for its own downstream operations.

A New Chapter for Qatari Industry

The exit of the Turkish partner and the immediate entry of a powerhouse like Mesaieed Petrochemical is a decisive move. It ensures the salt production project not only continues but does so with renewed momentum and stronger alignment with Qatar’s long-term economic strategy, including the goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.

With this new, solidified partnership, the project is poised to accelerate, marking a significant step forward in Qatar’s journey to build a robust and integrated industrial ecosystem.