Abu Dhabi-based publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturer EMSTEEL has announced that its steel business unit, Emirates Steel Industries, part of the EMSTEEL Group, has officially become the first company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive ResponsibleSteel™ Core Site Certification. This achievement signifies a transformative step for both the company and the region, promoting sustainable, transparent, and low-carbon steel production in accordance with global standards.
The ResponsibleSteel certification was granted following a thorough audit conducted by CARES, an internationally recognized certification body. The evaluation meticulously assessed Emirates Steel Industries, part of the EMSTEEL Group’s performance against a comprehensive set of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, reflecting the highest standards of ethical business practices and environmental responsibility. This accomplishment underscores EMSTEEL’s leadership in the industry and reinforces its role as a catalyst for positive change within the global steel sector.
This certification is accompanied by another significant recognition, as EMSTEEL was recently designated a 2025 Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association (worldsteel), making it the only company in the MENA region to achieve this esteemed distinction for the second consecutive year. Collectively, these accolades showcase EMSTEEL’s unwavering leadership and tangible efforts in promoting sustainable steel practices.
Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, group chief executive officer of EMSTEEL, stated: “Achieving the ResponsibleSteel certification is a proud milestone for us and is a testament to our relentless commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth. As the first company in the MENA region to meet this global benchmark, we’re proud to continue driving national advanced manufacturing goals while setting industry benchmarks for decarbonizing the steel value chain.”
Read more: Abu Dhabi’s EMSTEEL achieves ESG Leader status with ‘AA’ provisional rating from MSCI
Leadership in ESG standards
Annie Heaton, chief executive officer of ResponsibleSteel, remarked: “The certification of EMSTEEL marks the arrival of ResponsibleSteel certification in the MENA region and sets an important benchmark for the region’s steel industry. The site certification recognizes EMSTEEL’s established governance systems, as well as transparent engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. As a region that plays a growing role in the global steel supply chain, the MENA region is poised to become an essential piece of the puzzle in the industry’s transition. This certification not only demonstrates that sustainability standards can be effectively applied across different regions but also reflects the sustained progress being made by companies like EMSTEEL. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with EMSTEEL and other regional leaders on the journey to a more responsible steel value chain.”
Lee Brankley, chief executive officer of CARES, commented: “EMSTEEL has demonstrated exceptional leadership in meeting ResponsibleSteel’s rigorous ESG standards. We commend their proactive approach and commitment to continuous improvement. As the first MENA-based company to receive ResponsibleSteel™ certification, EMSTEEL is setting a new benchmark for the region and reaffirming its role as a leader in responsible industry transformation. This achievement not only strengthens EMSTEEL’s position on the global stage but also contributes to the UAE’s broader vision for sustainable economic development and climate action.”
ResponsibleSteel is the steel industry’s first global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative. It collaborates with steel producers, consumers, and intermediaries to establish a sustainable steel industry by addressing key challenges such as responsible sourcing, climate change, diversity, human rights, and environmental stewardship, among other critical initiatives.
$1.17 billion in revenue
In H1 2025, EMSTEEL showcased notable operational performance, achieving a 24 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in sales volumes of finished steel products, totaling 1,616 thousand tons. This growth can be attributed to sustained momentum in the UAE’s construction sector and EMSTEEL’s solid market presence. In H1 2025, strong demand and optimized capacity utilization facilitated the full conversion of semi-finished products into finished goods, enhancing customer service. Furthermore, cement and clinker sales volumes surged by 21 percent YoY, reaching 1,613 thousand tons.
Despite a 4 percent YoY decline in average steel prices and a strategic pivot towards prioritizing the sale of finished products—while phasing out semi-finished product sales in H1 2025, which had accounted for 9 percent of the steel division’s revenue in H1 2024—EMSTEEL reported revenues of AED4.3 billion ($1.17 billion) for the first half of 2025, marking a 9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. EBITDA climbed to AED540 million ($147 million), reflecting a 6 percent YoY increase, with an EBITDA margin of 12.6 percent, down from 12.8 percent in H1 2024.
The group‘s margin pressure stemming from lower prices was alleviated by improved production costs in Q2 2025, enhanced capacity utilization, and ongoing process optimization initiatives. Profit after tax for H1 2025 reached AED188 million, up from AED174 million for the same period last year.
The Emirates Steel division contributed AED3.9 billion in revenue, representing a 7 percent increase compared to H1 2024, and generated AED449 million in EBITDA. Meanwhile, the Emirates Cement division recorded AED428 million in revenue, reflecting 21 percent YoY growth, and produced AED91 million in EBITDA.
