RIYADH — The average water consumption rate in a traditional car wash is double that of a self-service wash bay, equating to nearly 150 liters of water for each vehicle. The region has over 11.87 million vehicles and the non-sustainable car wash method is having a detrimental effect on the water resources. In the Middle East, the automotive sector is one of the key drivers of economic growth. Saudi Arabia leads the GCC market with 7.55 million cars, followed by UAE with 2.94 million vehicles and Kuwait with 1.38 million vehicles, Frost & Sullivan said recently in an industry report. With a foreseen 76.5% share by 2020, the UAE and KSA are predicted to dominate the overage GCC market. There is immense growth potential in this segment and along with it the need for enhanced car care solutions and services to match this growth. The car wash industry in the Middle East is still in its nascent stages, with a long way to go. The primitive bucket wash is still present in the region and this has to be replaced with machine wash. While the industry is quite sizeable it is growing at a slow pace. According to the UAE's Federal Energy and Water Authority (FEWA), the country has the highest per capita consumption of water which is 550 liters per day — three times that of European countries. The heavy consumption and lack of water resources in the Middle East are driving organizations to look at innovative, cost effective and sustainable methods to save water and money. The Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Expo scheduled to be held on Nov. 2-4 at the Dubai World Trade Center, will provide the car wash industry an opportunity to gather and share their industry knowledge on latest techniques and sustainable solutions. Other key attraction include the one-day conference with an impressive line-up of speakers from the international car wash and car care sector highlighting new trends and innovative technology in the industry that are not only sustainable, but are cost effective. “In many parts of the Middle Eastern countries, the car wash business has taken off. In UAE particularly, the motorists are known for their modern outlook and keenness to adopt advanced technologies and solutions. Also, the notorious sandstorms make intensive cleaning and maintenance services a necessity,” said Jayaraman Nair, Chairman, VIS – organizer of the Gulf Car Wash Car Care Expo. “Increase in water charges, coupled with sustainability initiatives by the government is encouraging car wash operators to embrace eco-efficient products and solutions. In UAE itself, the automotive industry contributes close to AED367 billion in trade capital. There is immense scope for growth and innovation in the car care sector.” The exclusive distributors for the water saving “optima steamer” - Oxygen Cleaning services, has a product range of eco-friendly technology and machines that have minimum maintenance requirements making them different in the market. Hisham Abu Alhaija, President, Oxygen Cleaning Services, said “many other industries are transforming and adopting eco-friendly products and technologies, the car wash industry should also take initiatives to contribute to an eco-friendly environment. The major drawback in the car wash industry is the “water wastage” which has to be stopped by adopting eco-friendly technologies. Steam cleaning helps save up to 98% water, and cleans and sanitizes a car more effectively than with water, the added advantage being that no chemicals are required and the solution gives the vehicle a natural shine. The traditional car wash technique consumes around 200 liters of water per car but with optima steamer we can wash and sanitize a car effectively by using 2-3 liters of water, which depicts our support towards ecofriendly environment.” At the 2015 Gulf Car Wash Car Care Expo, there will be a wide range of applications to be showcased, which, when implemented, can successfully lead to water conservation. — SG
