Emsteel, a major steel and building materials producer in the Gulf region, has increased its innovation and investment spending by 127% between 2020 and 2024, according to CEO Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi in an interview with Gulf Business. The company commands a 10% share of Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing sector and a 60% share of the UAE steel market, exporting to over 70 countries.
Emsteel views innovation as a strategic advantage to navigate market disruptions, global supply chain challenges, and regulatory changes. Key focus areas include digitalization, advanced manufacturing technologies, carbon capture technology, and green hydrogen initiatives. Collaborating with Masdar, Emsteel has launched a pioneering green hydrogen project in MENA, now operational, producing green steel using a capacity of 2.1 MW.
The company is also implementing water recycling systems, waste heat recovery initiatives, and alternative raw materials to enhance its environmental performance. Emsteel’s low-carbon iron supply chain project is progressing, with feasibility studies underway. In February, the company announced its decarbonization strategy, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in its steel division and 30% in its cement division by 2030, targeting zero emissions by 2050.