Water technology entrepreneur from the UAE grabs the limelight at Expo 2025 in Japan
UAE-Based Startup Manhat Wins Best Practices Award for Sustainable Water Technology
Saeed Alhassan, a professor at Khalifa University and the founder of Manhat, a UAE-based start-up focused on sustainable water and floating farm solutions, recently won a Best Practices Award at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The award recognises global solutions to challenges, and Manhat's innovative water technology was among the honourees.
Manhat's technology is designed to address water scarcity in water-stressed regions, such as the Middle East and North Africa, where the Arabian Gulf is seeking solutions to ensure water and food security. The company's device, which generates fresh water without electricity, harnesses renewable energy, primarily solar power, to enable environmentally friendly desalination and water harvesting without relying on conventional energy sources.
During the Expo 2025, Manhat was also featured in a discussion on ecological innovation at the UAE pavilion. Professor Alhassan took the opportunity to describe the operation of the Manhat device, which collects condensed water in a reservoir during the night. He also highlighted the energy efficiency and reduced pollution potential of the device compared to current desalination methods.
In addition to the Best Practices Award, Manhat was one of 25 start-ups from around the world to win the honour. The company's future plans appear to include expanding the deployment and adoption of its zero-energy water technologies globally, leveraging platforms like Expo 2025 to gain international recognition and partnerships.
Professor Alhassan believes that Manhat is contributing to making the UAE a global driver of sustainability initiatives. The company has also filed patents for floating farm solutions that integrate their devices to produce food even with rising sea levels due to climate change. This approach offers a promising sustainable alternative for countries facing acute water shortages in the MENA region.
Eleven of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world are in the Middle East and North Africa, making the region one of the most affected by water scarcity. Manhat's innovations, therefore, hold significant potential for addressing this critical issue and contributing to global efforts to mitigate water scarcity challenges.
- Manhat's award-winning technology is aiming to reduce water scarcity in water-stressed regions like the Middle East and North Africa, particularly along the Arabian Gulf.
- The UAE-based startup's device generates fresh water without electricity, harnessing renewable energy sources, primarily solar power.
- Professor Alhassan highlighted the Manhat device's energy efficiency and reduced pollution potential compared to current desalination methods during the Expo 2025.
- Manhat was offered a platform at the UAE pavilion for a discussion on ecological innovation at Expo 2025.
- The company aims to expand the deployment and adoption of its zero-energy water technologies globally, leveraging Expo 2025 and partnership opportunities to achieve this goal.
- Professor Alhassan believes that Manhat is contributing to the UAE's global leadership in sustainability initiatives.
- To address the rising sea levels due to climate change, Manhat has filed patents for floating farm solutions that integrate their devices to produce food sustainably.
- With eleven of the 17 most water-stressed countries in the world located in the Middle East and North Africa, the region is particularly impacted by water scarcity, and Manhat's innovative solutions hold significant potential for addressing this critical issue and contributing to global efforts to mitigate water scarcity challenges.
