As Oman marches toward its national vision of sustainability, carbon neutrality, and cost efficiency in public services, one major challenge remains often overlooked: sludge disposal. The byproduct of wastewater treatment plants across the country, sludge is heavy, hazardous, and expensive to manage.
Yet a technological breakthrough is offering Oman a new path forward.
A Hidden Crisis Beneath the Surface
Oman’s wastewater sector, overseen by Nama Water Services, manages the treatment of millions of liters of sewage daily. This process generates massive quantities of sludge that must be dried, transported, and disposed of safely.
Traditionally, Oman has relied on thermal drying or landfill methods—energy-intensive, costly processes that often emit greenhouse gases and place strain on both the national budget and the environment.
However, these outdated methods are quickly becoming incompatible with:
- Oman’s Net-Zero by 2050 goals, led by the National Centre for Environmental Conservation.
- The rising cost of fossil fuels.
- The need for decentralized, sustainable solutions in remote areas.
Enter ELODE: A Game-Changer in Sludge Dehydration
South Korea’s Bluewin.kr has developed the ELODE system – a groundbreaking electro-osmosis dehydration technology that removes water from sludge without heat, reducing volume and weight by over 85%.
Majan Modern Solutions, a leading Omani engineering firm, is now the exclusive distributor of ELODE technology in Oman, positioning the nation at the forefront of sludge innovation in the region. To see this technology in action, visit our ELODE Pilot Project page.
Why Dehydration Beats Thermal Drying in Oman
ELODE’s process uses low-voltage electric fields to force water out of sludge at the molecular level. Compared to conventional drying methods, this is a perfect fit for Oman’s hot, dry climate, where thermal dryers are:
- 🔴 Inefficient due to high ambient temperatures
- 🔴 Prone to mechanical wear from dust and sand
- 🔴 Expensive to operate due to reliance on diesel or natural gas
- 🔴 Heavy emitters of CO₂, threatening Oman’s decarbonization commitments
By contrast, ELODE systems are:
- ✅ Energy-efficient (can run on solar or grid)
- ✅ Emission-free
- ✅ Easy to install in both large and small plants
- ✅ Low-maintenance and odorless
Aligning with National Goals: Nama Water, Net-Zero & Circular Economy
Nama Water Services’ mandate is clear: deliver sustainable wastewater services at minimal cost. ELODE supports this goal by:
- Cutting sludge transport costs by up to 60%.
- Reducing energy consumption by over 70%.
- Helping Nama Water achieve carbon neutrality.
- Enabling sludge-to-compost or energy conversion, aligning with circular economy practices.
Furthermore, the technology is expected to meet future environmental compliance regulations, as Oman plans to introduce carbon pricing, stricter waste laws, and green procurement policies.
Legal Landscape: Oman vs. Korea
South Korea, where ELODE originates, enforces strict sludge management regulations under the Waste Control Act and Water Quality and Ecosystem Conservation Act, mandating energy recovery and volume reduction.
Oman’s legal framework is evolving. While the Environment Authority and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources have issued guidelines, enforcement mechanisms and modernization of infrastructure lag behind.
This legal gap represents an opportunity: by integrating advanced dehydration methods like ELODE into Omani regulation, the nation can leap ahead and set regional benchmarks.
Sustainable Sludge Policy
Experts suggest a phased national strategy:
- Pilot Projects: Deploy ELODE in select Muscat and Sohar wastewater treatment plants.
- Regulatory Reform: Recognize electro-dehydration as a preferred method in Oman’s sludge disposal framework.
- Private Partnerships: Encourage Nama Water and municipalities to partner with Majan Modern Solutions to scale implementation.
ELODE is more than a machine—it’s a blueprint for Oman’s sustainable, cost-effective, and carbon-neutral future. As Majan Modern Solutions leads this effort through our Engineering & Consultancy services, Oman has the opportunity to not only solve its sludge problem—but to turn it into a model of environmental leadership in the Gulf.
In a time of economic constraint and environmental urgency, ELODE represents innovation with impact.
The future of sludge is electric. And in Oman, that future has already begun.
