Manama, 21 April 2016: Ion Exchange, one of India’s largest environment solutions providers, today announced the launch of a new chemical blending facility in Bahrain. The company is expanding its facility in Bahrain in order to improve the products and services it offers the wider GCC region, a market currently worth around $1.5 trillion.

The new facility will serve as the chemical export hub for the GCC region and North Arab states, creating around 30 jobs over the course of the next three years. The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which provides advice and practical help to companies establishing operations in Bahrain, assisted Ion Exchange with company set up and other business requirements in order to ensure the company’s successful inception.

Rapid demographic growth and economic expansion in the GCC in recent years have created a strong demand for water treatment technologies and services. Ion Exchange has over 50 years’ experience specialising in water treatment and provides a complete portfolio of advanced environmental solutions to industrial, institutional, residential, home, rural and urban developments. The company has a strong global presence with plants in various parts of the world, with offices in the Middle East, South East Asia, Africa, Canada and USA.

Rajesh Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Ion Exchange, also commented on the announcement: “Ion Exchange has successfully executed globally tendered projects and exported plants to the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia, to the stringent requirements of customers, consultants and EPC contractors. It has made it presence felt in Europe and the USA with export of resins and water treatment chemicals. The launch of the new Bahrain facility is part of our wider strategy to ensure proximity to our GCC and North Arab market. Bahrain is located at the heart of the Gulf market with excellent transport and logistics connections throughout the region. We are expanding to meet the GCC’s rising demand for water treatment products and services and are excited to work closely with organisations like the Bahrain Economic Development Board to ensure our success.”

India and Bahrain enjoy close economic relations with trade between the two nations reaching $674 million in 2015. More than 350,000 Indian nationals are currently living in Bahrain.

Ion Exchange (India) Limited pioneered water treatment in India and today is regarded as Asia’s largest environment solutions provider, with a strong global presence with offices spread across Africa, Canada, Middle East, South East Asia and US. It is among just few companies worldwide with the entire range of technologies, processes, products and services, enabling integrated solutions for every sector – industrial, institutional, commercial, infrastructure, municipal, homes and communities, urban and rural.