Interview with Mohammed Kastawy Driving Filtralite® Expansion Across the Middle East 2020 – 2025
With the Middle East accelerating investments in water security and desalination, advanced filtration technologies have become more critical than ever. In this interview, Eng Mohammed Kastawy, Filtralite’s MENA Region Sales Manager, shares insights into Filtralite®’s regional expansion, participation in Aqua Energy Expo, and key case studies that demonstrate real operational impact across the region.
Can you tell us about Filtralite® and its role in water treatment?
Filtralite® is a high-performance filter media made from expanded clay, engineered specifically for water and wastewater treatment applications. Unlike traditional sand media, Filtralite® offers a high porosity structure, low weight, and excellent hydraulic performance.
This unique structure allows for higher filtration efficiency, longer filter cycles, reduced pressure drop, and lower backwash requirements. As a result, plants can improve water quality while significantly reducing operational costs, energy consumption, and water losses. Filtralite® has proven its effectiveness in drinking water, wastewater, and desalination pre-treatment systems worldwide.
How is Filtralite® expanding across the Middle East?
The Middle East represents a strategic growth market for Filtralite®, driven by large-scale desalination projects, water reuse initiatives, and sustainability goals. Our expansion strategy focuses on long-term partnerships, technical support, and solutions tailored to local operating conditions.
Strong Partnership with Al-Mousa Trading Company
A key part of our Middle East strategy is the strong collaboration with Al-Mousa Trading Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading engineering solution providers. This partnership allows us to deliver customized filtration solutions to utilities, EPC contractors, and operators across the GCC, ensuring Filtralite® is installed, maintained, and optimized for local conditions.
Authorized Distributor: Flotech
To further strengthen our regional presence, Filtralite® relies on Flotech as its authorized distributor in the Middle East, providing local technical support and seamless availability of solutions.
Why is participation in Aqua Energy Expo important for Filtralite®?
Aqua Energy Expo is a key platform for engaging with decision-makers, consultants, and operators in the water and energy sectors. Our participation allows us to showcase Filtralite® as a proven technology, supported by real-world case studies rather than theoretical performance.
The exhibition also provides an opportunity to discuss regional challenges directly with stakeholders, exchange technical expertise, and explore new collaborations. Being present at the expo reinforces our commitment to the Middle East market and highlights our readiness to support major infrastructure projects.
How Has Filtralite® Improved Filtration Performance in the Middle East?
A Case Study from Beni Saf Desalination Plant
One of Filtralite®’s most significant case studies in the Middle East and North Africa is the Beni Saf Desalination Plant in Algeria, one of the largest desalination facilities in the Mediterranean, with a production capacity of 200,000 m³/day of drinking water.
The Challenge
Frequent heavy rainfall along the Algerian coast led to high suspended solids (SS) levels in the intake water, causing frequent backwashing, production bottlenecks, and increased operating costs.
The Solution
To overcome these challenges with minimal capital investment, the plant replaced traditional sand media with Filtralite® filter media in the first filtration stage across 48 filters, implemented in two phases between 2020 and 2021.
What were the results of using Filtralite®?
- The results exceeded expectations. During intense rain events, filter cycles with Filtralite® lasted 200% longer than sand, while filter maturation time was reduced by nearly 66%.
- Production losses dropped dramatically—from 673,000 m³ to 380,000 m³, representing a 45% reduction. With the full conversion completed, expected reductions in downtime-related losses exceed 85%.
- Additionally, the filtered water quality improved by 3 to 0.5 SDI points, leading to fewer cartridge filter replacements and lower chemical cleaning requirements.
- As stated by Mohamed Chaffi, Director of the Beni Saf Desalination Plant:
“The results are positive… We have far exceeded the initial process limits. I would do it again with pleasure and have already recommended it to other plants.”
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How do these case studies support Filtralite®’s future in the region?
These case studies demonstrate that Filtralite® is not just a product, but a cost-effective operational upgrade. By reducing water losses, energy consumption, and maintenance costs, Filtralite® directly supports sustainability goals and long-term operational resilience.
Looking ahead to 2025, we see Filtralite® playing a key role in desalination, potable water, and reuse projects across the Middle East—helping utilities produce more water, at lower cost, with greater reliability.
Conclusion
Filtralite® continues to prove its value through real-world performance. With a growing regional presence, strong exhibition participation, and successful case studies like Beni Saf, the future of Filtralite® in the Middle East is built on efficiency, sustainability, and trust.
Mohammed Kastawy Area Sales Manager – MENA Region Mobile: +971565503535 Email : mohammed.kastawy@saint-gobain.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
