In an impressive feat of scientific innovation, the UAE has established a state-of-the-art facility for manufacturing high-performance salt flares—the essential tool in the country’s ambitious operations. Located in Abu Dhabi, the National Centre of Meteorology’s (NCM) Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory is the first in the region, and potentially in the world, to produce flares with nanotechnology-based materials that deliver three times the effectiveness of conventional cloud-seeding materials. This factory represents a significant stride toward addressing water scarcity in the arid Gulf region through cutting-edge atmospheric science.

The journey to create this unique product began with Prof. Linda Zou’s work on nanotechnology-based seeding materials, overseen by Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Rain Enhancement Program (UAEREP). This revolutionary salt flare, developed exclusively in the UAE, has been shown to increase the formation of large water droplets by 300% compared to traditional materials. “There is no other country that has come up with this material,” Mazroui noted. “It’s a tangible outcome of our efforts, and we are moving towards its commercialisation.”

Mazroui explained that the development process spanned several years, with rigorous research and evaluation. Beginning in 2016, this innovative seeding material advanced through extensive scientific scrutiny worldwide before reaching the commercialisation phase. Now, these high-quality salt flares, tailored for optimal performance in the UAE’s environment, are poised to make a measurable impact on rain enhancement efforts.

Inside the factory, the production process is meticulous and highly controlled. Specific salts, including potassium chloride and sodium chloride, are precisely measured and combined to achieve the desired chemical composition and particle size. Scientists, engineers, and technicians work in a sterile, lab-like environment, where each flare undergoes rigorous testing and quality checks to ensure functionality in varied weather conditions.

Once the flares are manufactured and approved, they are loaded onto specialised King Air aircraft equipped for cloud-seeding missions. When deployed, the flares release salt particles into the clouds, encouraging the formation of water droplets that can potentially lead to rainfall. As Mazroui clarified, “This salt is used in the flares loaded in the aircraft, although hygroscopic materials are still used in other applications.”

The NCM’s dedication to developing its own flares underscores the UAE’s commitment to leading rain enhancement technology. Omar Al Yazeedi, Deputy Director General of the NCM, emphasized the importance of this facility, noting how it empowers the UAE to advance rain enhancement science through local research rather than relying solely on imports. “First, this helps us to do more tests, verify, and conduct further research,” Al Yazeedi said, adding that under the UAEREP program, scientists are encouraged to explore advancements in Material Science for seeding, as traditional materials have seen minimal innovation over decades.

Since the 1990s, the UAE has been at the forefront of cloud-seeding, collaborating with global leaders like the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado and NASA. Today, the NCM’s enhanced capabilities, bolstered by a fleet of four specialised aircraft and a dedicated team of pilots, position the UAE as a global leader in addressing water scarcity through rain enhancement.

As the NCM prepares to equip an additional aircraft exclusively for research projects, the UAE’s commitment to advancing atmospheric science stands as a beacon of hope for arid regions worldwide. With its Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory, the UAE is not only securing its water future but also setting an inspiring example of how visionary science and technology can work together to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.