Hyflux suspends contract for desalination package in Iran

The Hyflux Innovation Centre in Bendemeer Road. Hyflux said it was unable to maintain banking support to receive payment from Iranian firm Asia Water Development Engineering Company for work under the contract due to the US reinstating sanctions on I
The Hyflux Innovation Centre in Bendemeer Road. Hyflux said it was unable to maintain banking support to receive payment from Iranian firm Asia Water Development Engineering Company for work under the contract due to the US reinstating sanctions on Iran. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Water treatment firm Hyflux has suspended a contract for a plant in Iran - a move that is expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial performance.

The contract was signed in April between a Hyflux unit and Iran's Asia Water Development Engineering Company (AWDEC) for a seawater reverse osmosis desalination package in Bandar Abbas.

In July, the Iranian firm indicated, through a letter of intent, a possible second contract for another project in the same location.

Hyflux, whose shares are suspended on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), said yesterday that it was unable to maintain banking support to receive payment from AWDEC for work under the contract due to the United States reinstating sanctions on Iran.

Hyflux told the SGX yesterday that it notified the Iranian company on Tuesday of its decision to suspend the contract with effect from Oct 16.

Separately, Hyflux terminated a joint venture agreement signed in March 2014 with Tolaram Corporation to develop membrane-based water treatment plants in Nigeria. The agreement involved setting up Yewa Water (Singapore), a company in which Tolaram and Hyflux had equal stakes.

The termination of the joint venture is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial performance of Hyflux.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 15, 2018, with the headline Hyflux suspends contract for desalination package in Iran. Subscribe