In the rapidly transforming landscape of sustainability and technological innovation, Saudi Sustainability Technologies (SST) is carving a distinct path as a pioneer in localized advanced sensing solutions. Founded by Mustafa Hashmi, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in working with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), SST embodies a bold vision—to create sustainable, technologically advanced products specifically tailored to the unique environmental demands of the Middle East. SST is not only contributing directly to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals around local manufacturing, technology transfer and sustainability but also emerging as a critical player in safeguarding mission-critical infrastructure with its innovative liquid leakage detection systems.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Mustafa Hashmi to explore his journey, the inspiration behind SST and the company’s growing impact in the region and beyond.

TFS: Mustafa, it’s such a pleasure to have you with us today. Thank you for taking the time to share your inspiring journey and vision for SST. Let’s dive right in!

How did your experience with international OEMs influence the founding vision of SST and what specific market gaps did you aim to address through localization?

Mustafa Hashmi: Thank you for having me. My journey toward founding SST truly began over a decade ago when I was working with an American company—one of the global pioneers in liquid leakage detection technology. Back then, I was fortunate enough to get firsthand exposure to a highly innovative product that had revolutionized industrial sensing in the West.

Fast forward to 2022, I observed something very concerning. The same technology, developed in the early 1990s and designed for cooler, less harsh Western environments, was still being sold in Saudi Arabia without any real adaptation to our unique conditions. Despite customer complaints regarding inefficiency and reliability under Middle Eastern climate extremes—high temperatures, humidity, dust—the market had no choice. There simply were no localized alternatives.

This stark gap was what fueled my passion to create SST. I realized that Saudi Arabia deserved better: solutions that are designed for our climate, our industries and our operational challenges. Beyond that, the lack of after-sales support, knowledge transfer and localized technical expertise was an issue. So, at SST, we decided not just to replicate existing technologies but to reimagine and rebuild them—ground-up, locally—ensuring superior performance under Middle Eastern conditions and empowering local industries.

TFS: SST is the first in the region to localize advanced liquid sensing technology. What are the core technical differentiators of your solution compared to global alternatives?

Mustafa Hashmi: One of our proudest achievements at SST is how we’ve embraced next-generation microcontroller technologies. Compared to global competitors—many of whom are still relying on 20- to 30-year-old designs—our systems use smart microcontrollers that offer a host of advantages.

First, response time: our systems can detect and signal a leakage event much faster than older technologies, reducing the time window for potential damage.

Second, long-distance monitoring: we’ve enabled efficient sensing across much greater distances without signal degradation.

Third, multi-platform integration: our systems seamlessly connect with cloud infrastructure, mobile apps, wireless networks and centralized control systems.

This adaptability makes SST’s products incredibly versatile across sectors, whether it’s in data centers, oil & gas, healthcare facilities or manufacturing plants.

TFS: In what ways does SST’s mission directly align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly in terms of sustainability, local manufacturing and technological innovation?

Mustafa Hashmi: Vision 2030 is about empowerment, localization and global leadership—and SST’s DNA perfectly aligns with that.

• We are localizing an advanced sensing technology that was previously imported, thus building a complete Saudi ecosystem for this critical sector.
• By transferring knowledge, training young engineers and building technical capacity locally, we are nurturing Saudi Arabia’s future tech leaders.
• We are creating local employment opportunities, contributing to the job creation goals.
• Every product we manufacture proudly carries the “Made in Saudi” tag while adhering to international quality standards.
• By reducing downtime and extending the life of mission-critical equipment, we are directly enhancing industrial sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
• We are innovating the foundational technology itself—adapting it for new applications beyond just leakage detection.

It’s more than just business for us—it’s a national contribution.

TFS: How does SST tailor its sensing and monitoring systems to meet the unique environmental and operational conditions across the Middle East?

Mustafa Hashmi: The Middle East is characterized by extreme environmental conditions: intense heat, high humidity and heavy dust storms. These factors are incredibly challenging for conventional leakage detection systems, which were mostly designed for mild Western climates.

At SST, we take a climate-first design approach. Our microcontrollers are programmed to intelligently filter out false alarms caused by moisture or atmospheric changes. Moreover, our sensing cables have adjustable sensitivity settings to precisely meet the varying needs of facilities—whether it’s a high-humidity server room or an exposed oilfield installation.

We don’t just sell products; we engineer solutions that survive and thrive in the toughest environments.

TFS: What role does your technology play in safeguarding mission-critical infrastructure such as data centers and oil & gas facilities?

Mustafa Hashmi: Our solutions are absolutely crucial in protecting mission-critical assets. Imagine a data center with millions of dollars’ worth of servers and storage devices—one unnoticed water leak from a ceiling pipe could trigger catastrophic failures and irrecoverable data loss. The same applies to oil & gas facilities, battery rooms, CRAC units, pump rooms and storage tanks.

Our detection systems offer an early-warning safety net, identifying even the smallest leakages before they escalate into full-blown disasters. By doing so, we help companies minimize operational downtime, extend equipment lifespans, avoid costly repairs and protect the environment.

In essence, we act as an invisible shield safeguarding some of the most valuable infrastructures in the economy.

TFS: Your solutions claim to reduce maintenance and operational costs by up to 30%. Could you elaborate on the cost-benefit analysis typically observed by your clients?

Mustafa Hashmi: Absolutely. What many people don’t realize is that small leaks often go unnoticed until they become major incidents—causing not just damage but also long downtimes and massive operational losses.

By providing early detection, we allow facility managers to address minor issues before they balloon into crises. This proactive approach translates into:

• Lower repair costs (catching issues when they are cheap to fix),
• Fewer equipment replacements (since water damage significantly reduces equipment lifespan),
• Reduced insurance claims (and lower premiums over time),
• Decreased energy consumption, since leaking systems often consume more power.

Across the board, our clients consistently report cost reductions ranging between 20–30% on their operational expenses.

TFS: How is SST leveraging AI and IoT to enable predictive maintenance and what kind of measurable operational improvements have you seen as a result?

Mustafa Hashmi: AI and IoT are at the heart of our innovation. Our AI models learn from historical leakage data, identifying patterns like the most vulnerable zones or seasonal risk factors. This predictive capability enables maintenance teams to proactively service pipelines and storage areas before a leak even happens.

Through IoT integration, our clients have access to real-time monitoring dashboards, email and SMS alerts and instant audible alarms—allowing for immediate action across remote or multiple locations.

As a result, we’ve seen downtime reduction by up to 40% in client operations and a notable increase in preventive maintenance efficiency.

TFS: With a focus on water conservation and carbon emission reduction, how does SST quantify and report its environmental impact?

Mustafa Hashmi: Every drop saved matters. By continuously monitoring pipelines and storage tanks, we prevent millions of liters of water from being wasted annually.

Furthermore, by extending the life of infrastructure like cooling systems, pumps and pipelines, we reduce the need for energy-intensive replacements, thereby lowering carbon emissions.

We provide clients with detailed environmental impact reports, including liters of water conserved and estimated carbon emission reductions for their ESG reporting and sustainability disclosures.

TFS: How has establishing a localized manufacturing base contributed to both cost-efficiency and sustainability in your supply chain?

Mustafa Hashmi: While we are still in our development and proof-of-concept (POC) stage, the early results are promising. By localizing production, we are cutting out long shipping times, reducing our carbon footprint and lowering production costs.

We are also building resilience in our supply chain, making it less vulnerable to international disruptions.In the long run, this approach will allow us to deliver faster, customize better and scale more sustainably.

TFS: As SST scales internationally, what is your approach to entering new markets while maintaining the integrity of localized product design?

Mustafa Hashmi: Our primary focus is on building deep expertise and solid case studies within Saudi Arabia first. Once we have a proven, highly efficient product adapted to regional conditions, it will be easier to replicate success in similar environments—like the broader GCC, North Africa and Asia.

We intend to retain local adaptability in every new market—meaning every expansion will involve understanding local conditions and custom-tuning our products rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.

TFS: How does SST engage with regulators, municipalities and industry stakeholders to promote awareness and adoption of leak detection technologies?

Mustafa Hashmi: Engagement is critical for driving adoption. We participate actively in seminars, industry events and government-led summits like COP.

We also organize one-on-one workshops with regulators, municipalities and corporate clients to educate them on the importance of early leakage detection, the ROI of investment and the long-term sustainability benefits.

Awareness is the first step towards widespread adoption—and we are proud to be a vocal advocate for it.

TFS: With a target of creating 100 jobs by 2030, what initiatives is SST undertaking to attract, train and retain Saudi talent in climate-tech fields?

Mustafa Hashmi: Building a strong local team is a top priority for us. We regularly collaborate with universities, participate in job fairs and run educational workshops to introduce students to the field of climate tech.

Once hired, our employees go through extensive training programs covering technical skills, sustainability principles and innovation management. We believe in empowering Saudi youth to be not just workers, but leaders in the future climate technology sector.

TFS: Your systems report leaks in under 10 seconds. How critical is this response time in preventing operational downtime and environmental hazards?

Mustafa Hashmi: When it comes to leak detection, every second truly counts. While the international standard allows up to 10 seconds for leak detection and reporting, our technology responds within just 3 seconds.

This early detection window gives clients precious time to take corrective action—preventing leaks from escalating into major incidents, saving equipment, avoiding costly downtime and protecting the environment.

TFS: Are there any key partnerships—academic, governmental or commercial—that have been instrumental in accelerating SST’s innovation and reach?

Mustafa Hashmi: Yes, absolutely. We have been fortunate to work closely with SME institutes, government incubation programs and accelerators who have opened doors for us to test, refine and market our solutions.

These partnerships have given us exposure, credibility and access to resources that would have otherwise taken years to build independently.

TFS: Looking ahead, how do you envision SST’s role in shaping the future of sustainable technologies in the GCC and beyond?

Mustafa Hashmi: We see ourselves as a trailblazer.

With the first-mover advantage in localized sensing technology in the GCC, we aim to influence industry best practices, set new engineering standards and inspire a wave of sustainable innovation.

Our ultimate vision is to be a global leader in sustainability-driven technologies, empowering industries across emerging markets to operate more efficiently, more safely and more sustainably.

TFS: Mustafa, this has been an incredibly inspiring conversation. Your passion for sustainable innovation and your commitment to empowering Saudi talent and industries truly shine through. We wish SST nothing but continued success as you scale new heights and shape the future of sustainable technology.

Mustafa Hashmi: Thank you so much! It’s been a real pleasure sharing our journey and I’m excited for what the future holds for SST and for Saudi Arabia as a global hub for sustainable innovation.