Sohar Port and Freezone signed an agreement with Oman Zinc LLC to develop a 10-hectare zinc ash recycling industrial complex in the Sohar Freezone. With an investment of US$50 million, the project aims to transform steel industry waste into value-added industrial materials, further enhancing Sohar Port and Freezone's position as a regional hub for sustainable metal processing and circular economy industries.
The project will be implemented in phases to process zinc ash and electric arc furnace dust to produce up to 10,000 tons per year of refined zinc alloys, in addition to 50,000 tons per year of zinc oxide graded for the rubber industry. These products will be directed to the high-growth downstream industries in the GCC region, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa, supporting their use in the alloys, rubber, battery, and specialty chemicals sectors. The project leverages the numerous advantages offered by the integrated system at Sohar Port and Freezone, where raw materials will be imported and handled through Sohar Port from local and international suppliers, enabling the establishment of an integrated value chain linking global shipping lines with processing, storage, manufacturing, and export operations within the Freezone.
Commenting on this, Lin Feng, Chairman of Oman Zinc Company, said: “Sohar Port and Freezone is our strategic gateway for international expansion, providing integrated logistics connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and direct access to high-growth markets. This investment also confirms our confidence in Sohar Port and Freezone as a leading center for sustainable industries, where advanced recycling technologies are integrated with long-term economic viability.”
For his part, Engineer Raed Al-Rubaie, CEO of Sohar Free Zone and Deputy CEO of Sohar Port, said: “This investment reflects the strength of the integrated system in Sohar Port and Free Zone, and confirms the confidence of international partners in the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for developing advanced and sustainable industries. By linking zinc recycling to global shipping networks, we are working to build new value chains, support economic diversification efforts, and enhance the efficiency of local resources.”
The project will enhance the growth and development of the metals industry complex in Sohar Port and Freezone, solidifying the port and freezone's role as an export-oriented manufacturing hub. It will also contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the steel industry by converting waste into high-value, exportable materials. Furthermore, the project is expected to facilitate and boost demand for logistics, maintenance, and industrial services.
This investment is in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by increasing the efficiency of resource utilization, accelerating circular economy industries, and expanding the base of advanced industrial projects based on sustainability, thereby enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in Oman.
