As the UAE’s leading steel and building materials manufacturer, EMSTEEL Group plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s industrial future, driving innovation and advancing sustainability. Group CEO engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi shares how the industry leader is fulfilling its mission and contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for the UAE.
What key milestones or achievements reflect your impact on the national economy?
EMSTEEL Group stands as a cornerstone of the UAE’s critical manufacturing sector, aligning its operations with the national Operation 300bn strategy to support the country becoming a global industrial powerhouse. Contributing 10 percent to Abu Dhabi’s total manufacturing output and holding a 60 percent share of the UAE’s steel market, EMSTEEL continues to play a vital role in the nation’s industrial landscape.
As a committed participant in the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program, EMSTEEL has directed nearly AED3.5 billion toward local procurement. The group also takes pride in its strong Emiratization efforts, with UAE nationals representing 52 percent of its workforce.
Read: Abu Dhabi’s EMSTEEL delivers $599 million in revenue for Q1 2025
What distinguishes your organization as a leader in sustainable industrial practices?
EMSTEEL Group is proud to be the first steelmaker in the world to capture part of its CO2 emissions, allowing us to operate with 45 percent less carbon intensity than the global industry average. In partnership with Masdar, we launched the MENA region’s first pilot project using green hydrogen to extract iron from iron ore, a critical step in steelmaking.
This fully operational pilot has successfully commenced the production of green steel. With a capacity of 2.1 MW, the project can produce up to 368 tons of green hydrogen annually, enabling the production of 5,000 tons of green steel and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 3,680 tons per year, the equivalent of the carbon captured by 168,000 trees or the annual emissions of 800 passenger vehicles. This pioneering effort aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy, which seeks to establish hydrogen as a cornerstone of clean energy.
In recognition of its leadership in industrial decarbonization, EMSTEEL was appointed in September 2024 as co-chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID), led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). We proudly share this global leadership role with Siemens Energy, succeeding TATA Steel.
How does your company leverage technology to enhance productivity and global competitiveness?
EMSTEEL Group continues to lead in digital transformation with cutting-edge technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and transparency. Our AI-powered lead time analysis tool, designed to interpret Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) data, improves order fulfillment and reduces costs such as inventory holding and penalties. By identifying bottlenecks and shortening lead times, it boosts operational efficiency and strengthens long-term customer retention.
We also pioneered the world’s first AI-led Green Steel Monitoring & Certification System, a cloud-based solution that calculates emissions at the heat level, enables blockchain-based traceability, and offers a digital wallet for carbon credit management.
To further future-proof our business, we unified all operations under a single, cloud-based ERP platform with advanced AI and analytics capabilities — enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainability. Our commitment to innovation was recognized with five UAE Industry 4.0 Digital Leader awards from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
How do you collaborate with local and international partners to drive industrial development?
EMSTEEL Group continues to drive strategic collaborations that support sustainable industrial growth and regional integration. In partnership with Yellow Door Energy — the leading sustainable energy partner in the Middle East and Africa — EMSTEEL is developing the UAE’s largest industrial solar PV rooftop project, a 31.5-megawatt-peak (MWp) system that will power our facilities with renewable energy.
This initiative underscores our commitment to pioneering self-generating energy solutions for sustainable manufacturing. In another key move, EMSTEEL signed an MoU with Modon, making it the first real estate developer in the UAE to adopt low-carbon steel.
This partnership supports the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 Strategy by promoting decarbonization across the construction value chain through the use of green steel produced with certified renewable hydrogen. We are also advancing regional logistics through strategic partnerships focused on streamlined raw material transport and cross-border rail connectivity.
Landmark agreements with Hafeet Rail Infrastructure LLC and Minerals Development Oman (MDO) reflect our shared commitment to efficient and sustainable transportation of raw materials essential to cement production.
These collaborations align with both the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy and Oman’s Vision 2040, reinforcing our role in fostering economic and environmental progress across the GCC.
What are the most recent milestones that cement your legacy as an ambassador for industrial growth in the region?
Between 2020 and 2024, EMSTEEL Group increased its innovation and investment expenditure by 127 percent — demonstrating a strong commitment to industrial advancement. Building on this momentum, we have launched our Asset Enhancement Program, a strategic initiative with a capital expenditure of approximately AED625 million.
Phase 1 of the program will introduce a new generation of high-strength rebars and advanced heavy-section products, significantly broadening EMSTEEL’s portfolio to meet the growing demand for sustainable construction solutions.
Phase 2 will enable the production of high-carbon and special alloy billets, essential for supporting this new product range. By overcoming current mill limitations and expanding into advanced product categories, EMSTEEL is strategically positioned to strengthen its competitiveness across critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, industrial applications, petrochemicals, and automotive components.
How is EMSTEEL contributing to the UAE’s goal of becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing?
EMSTEEL plays a foundational role in advancing the UAE’s industrial ecosystem by anchoring value chains, building strategic manufacturing capacity, and supporting downstream industries. With 10 percent of Abu Dhabi’s total manufacturing activity and a 60 percent share in the UAE’s steel market, EMSTEEL continues to catalyze industrial development.
We’re not only providing critical materials like high-strength rebars and heavy sections but also delivering 90 percent of the wire rod needs for the UAE’s downstream manufacturers. Through our AED625 million Asset Enhancement Program and our active participation in national initiatives like Operation 300bn and the ICV Program, EMSTEEL is accelerating the UAE’s journey to become a global powerhouse in advanced, sustainable manufacturing.
In what ways is EMSTEEL supporting regional mega-projects and infrastructure development beyond the UAE?
In Saudi Arabia, we are playing a key role in several giga projects that are part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy. Our structural steel products are being supplied to high-profile developments, including the Trojena Ski Village within the NEOM mega project. Our presence in India is also growing steadily, particularly in specialized segments such as foundation solutions, where we bring technical expertise and product differentiation.
This regional expansion strategy is focused on delivering value-added solutions tailored to local infrastructure demands, reinforcing EMSTEEL’s position as a trusted industrial partner across the GCC and South Asia.
How is EMSTEEL preparing to meet future demand for sustainable steel products in high-growth sectors?
We’re anticipating future demand through targeted investments in advanced production capabilities. Our Asset Enhancement Program includes the introduction of high-carbon and special alloy billets — products that are essential for high-performance applications in sectors such as energy, petrochemicals, industrial equipment, and manufacturing.
The GCC currently imports a significant share of its VA-grade steel products, but our expansion will enable local and regional supply, reduce reliance on imports, and improve strategic industrial resilience. Our development roadmap is designed to meet the next decade’s infrastructure needs while maintaining the UAE’s leadership in sustainable materials.
How is EMSTEEL leveraging next-generation connectivity to power its smart manufacturing ambitions?
A critical component of our transformation strategy is the implementation of 5G slicing technology, a first in the UAE’s industrial sector. This advanced infrastructure enables us to connect widely distributed assets across our production facilities, creating a secure and ultra-fast digital environment that supports real-time data processing, remote monitoring, and AI integration.
By enabling smart manufacturing at scale, this connectivity will amplify our efficiency gains, reduce energy use, and support agile, responsive operations. It’s a major step forward in creating a truly intelligent manufacturing ecosystem aligned with the UAE’s digital and sustainability objectives.
What does innovation mean in the context of steel and building materials in the UAE?
In the UAE, innovation is more than a buzzword — it’s a strategic imperative backed by policies, infrastructure, and global ambition. Within EMSTEEL, innovation enables us to address critical challenges with purpose and scale. It allows us to develop export-ready, sustainable solutions that enhance both national capability and international competitiveness.
We see innovation as a differentiator — allowing us to future proof our business amid shifting supply chain dynamics, regulatory changes, and evolving market demands. From smart manufacturing to AI-powered automation and green steel production, innovation is what drives our transformation and regional leadership.
Our role in Operation 300bn and our substantial market share are testaments to the UAE’s conducive environment for industrial innovation — and our ability to turn it into global impact.
Can you share specific examples of how innovation is being integrated to address environmental and operational challenges?
Our innovation journey is deeply embedded in every facet of our operations. One standout initiative is our green hydrogen pilot, the first of its kind in MENA. It enables green steel production by using renewable hydrogen to extract iron — a core decarbonization milestone. This system has a 2.1 MW capacity, producing 368 tons of green hydrogen annually — enough to manufacture 5,000 tons of green steel while avoiding the emissions of approximately 800 passenger vehicles per year.
Additionally, we’ve integrated carbon capture technology, blockchain for green steel certification, and closed-loop systems for water and heat recovery. These innovations not only reduce emissions but enhance overall efficiency and performance.
On the operational side, AI is used to optimize predictive maintenance, reduce downtime, and enhance safety — such as smart cameras detecting protective gear compliance in real time. We also apply digital twins to minimize waste and improve process accuracy.
Can you elaborate on your company’s role in supporting the goals of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative?
The ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative has been instrumental in strengthening our position as a key player in the UAE’s industrial ecosystem. By promoting local manufacturing and industrial excellence, it has provided us with access to critical resources, network opportunities, and policy frameworks that enhance our operational efficiency.
What does EMSTEEL’s role as sector partner at the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ Forum 2025 signify regarding your commitment to the UAE’s industrial future?
We are pleased to sponsor the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ Forum 2025 as a sector partner, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening the UAE’s industrial sector and supporting its economic vision. As the nation’s leading steel and building materials manufacturer, we play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future, driving innovation, and advancing sustainability.
We continue to enhance the UAE’s position as a premier industrial powerhouse on the world stage through our alignment with key national initiatives such as Operation 300bn and our global reach spanning 72 countries.
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