IDE Technologies Celebrates 60 Years of Shaping the Future of Water Through Innovation and Sustainability
In 2025, IDE Technologies proudly marks six decades of groundbreaking leadership in the global water treatment sector. Since its founding in 1965, IDE has become synonymous with innovation, reliability, and sustainable water solutions. The company, now a leading force in desalination and advanced water treatment technologies, celebrates a legacy that has helped shape the modern water industry—bringing clean, affordable water to millions across the globe.
From its inception, IDE was built on a visionary mission: to transform seawater into a dependable source of freshwater using advanced technologies. This goal emerged at a time when water scarcity was increasingly recognized as a global issue. Over the past 60 years, IDE has turned this mission into reality by designing, constructing, and operating nearly 500 desalination and water treatment plants across 40 countries. These projects collectively supply over 6 million cubic meters (approximately 1.6 billion gallons) of high-quality water each day to a wide range of municipal, agricultural, and industrial clients.
Pioneering Water Technology Since 1965
Founded in Israel, IDE began its journey at the crossroads of necessity and innovation. Water scarcity has long posed challenges in arid regions, and Israel was no exception. IDE’s early efforts focused on developing desalination technologies that could overcome the limitations of conventional water sourcing. The company quickly became known for its engineering excellence and willingness to push the boundaries of water treatment technologies.
In the 1960s and 70s, IDE introduced Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) systems, a groundbreaking thermal desalination technology that uses waste heat and mechanical energy to produce freshwater from seawater. MVC has since become a cornerstone in small-to-medium scale desalination projects, especially in industrial applications where energy efficiency is paramount. This was only the beginning of a long trajectory of pioneering water treatment innovations.
“Since 1965, IDE has been at the forefront of the water industry. We’ve continually invested in research and development with the consistent goal of delivering reliable, economical and sustainable solutions across sectors,” said Alon Tavor, CEO of IDE Technologies Group. “Bolstered by the best and brightest talents, our organization of 800-strong worldwide works tirelessly to develop, build, and operate innovative desalination and water treatment solutions.”
Milestones of Innovation: From MVC to PFRO
Over the decades, IDE continued to build on its strengths by introducing a number of industry-leading solutions. The company developed multi-effect distillation (MED) and brine concentration technologies that enabled more efficient water recovery and minimized environmental impact. As the global need for freshwater grew, especially in densely populated and arid regions, IDE expanded its footprint across the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
One of the company’s more recent breakthroughs came in 2019 with the launch of two advanced desalination solutions: the MAXH2O Desalter and Pulse Flow Reverse Osmosis (PFRO) systems. These innovations demonstrated IDE’s ability to improve not only efficiency but also cost-effectiveness and sustainability in desalination operations. MAXH2O enables ultra-high recovery rates and reduces brine disposal, while PFRO enhances the energy efficiency and operational reliability of reverse osmosis systems.
By leveraging these and other technologies, IDE continues to redefine what’s possible in water treatment—helping regions grappling with severe water stress to secure sustainable water sources.
Global Reach and Local Impact
IDE’s global projects span a wide range of scales and applications. From mega seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants producing hundreds of thousands of cubic meters per day to modular systems designed for specific industrial needs, IDE’s solutions are as diverse as the challenges they address.
In Israel, the Sorek Desalination Plant—one of the largest SWRO facilities in the world—serves as a benchmark for both capacity and efficiency. In India, IDE’s solutions support power plants and refineries facing freshwater scarcity. In the United States, IDE is actively involved in addressing water shortages in California through large-scale desalination and water reuse projects. Across the globe, IDE plants are helping to provide communities with a secure and stable water supply.
Each project is tailored to local needs, climate conditions, and regulatory requirements, ensuring optimal performance and sustainability.
Sustainability at the Core
As climate change, population growth, and industrial development put increasing pressure on global water resources, IDE has embraced sustainability as a foundational principle in its operations and innovations. Today, the company is not only focused on treating and delivering water—but on doing so in a way that minimizes environmental impact.
“IDE is committed to sustainability and strives to inspire the same commitment in others,” said Tomer Efrat, Chief Technology Officer at IDE Technologies. “For six decades, IDE has been hyper-focused on solving global water scarcity, while emphasizing a sustainable treatment approach.”
One of IDE’s latest contributions to sustainable desalination is its proprietary Carbon Footprint Calculator. This digital tool enables plant operators, policymakers, and water utility managers to accurately measure the carbon emissions associated with seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination. Results are displayed in both kilograms of CO2-equivalent per cubic meter and tons per year, giving users actionable insights into their environmental impact.
But IDE goes a step further than just measuring emissions. The company offers customized recommendations based on the calculator’s results—helping clients take real steps toward carbon reduction, whether through energy optimization, renewable energy integration, or system retrofits.
This focus on measurable sustainability aligns with IDE’s belief that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” As such, the Carbon Footprint Calculator reflects the company’s dual commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility, aiming to make desalination not only feasible but also greener for future generations.
Human Capital: The Driving Force Behind IDE’s Success
Behind IDE’s achievements is a global team of over 800 professionals—engineers, scientists, project managers, operators, and sustainability experts—united by a shared vision of water security for all. The company invests heavily in its people, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
This investment pays off in the form of rapid innovation cycles, resilient project execution, and long-term client partnerships. Whether it’s designing a new plant in a developing country or optimizing an aging system in an industrial hub, IDE’s team is known for its dedication, problem-solving skills, and technical excellence.
A Future Built on Legacy and Vision
As IDE Technologies steps into its seventh decade, the company shows no signs of slowing down. Plans are already underway to expand the reach of its carbon-reducing technologies, enhance its water reuse capabilities, and deepen its involvement in hybrid water-energy solutions. IDE is also investing in AI and machine learning to make water treatment systems smarter and more autonomous, further increasing efficiency and reducing operating costs.
In addition, the company is exploring strategic partnerships that will help scale its technologies to underserved markets, particularly in regions where water insecurity threatens economic development and public health.
“Water is essential to life, but it’s also essential to progress,” said CEO Alon Tavor. “At IDE, we believe that access to clean, sustainable water should not be a privilege—it should be a right. That belief fuels our commitment to pushing the boundaries of water treatment and leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.”
