Emirates Steel Arkan leads the way in decarbonising the global steel industry

In the race to curb global carbon emissions, Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), based out of Abu Dhabi, stands out as a shining example of innovation and environmental responsibility. As one of the biggest steel and building material makers in the region, EMSTEEL supplies top-quality products to more than 70 countries across the world, highlighting just how advanced the UAE’s manufacturing sector has become.

Now, EMSTEEL’s commitment to sustainability actually started well before the recent surge in environmental awareness. Back in 2016, they made a bold move—becoming the first steel manufacturer worldwide to trap carbon emissions in partnership with Al Reyadah, an ADNOC subsidiary. Honestly, this was pretty groundbreaking—by doing this, they’ve kept their carbon intensity in steel production at about 45% lower than the global average, which is quite a feat given that our industry often gets a bad rap for its heavy emissions.

Most of EMSTEEL’s steel plants run on clean electricity, with around 86% of their energy coming from sustainable sources, and their goal is to hit full clean energy use by 2030. These efforts closely align with the UAE’s broader plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, clearly showing how EMSTEEL is woven into the country’s environmental ambitions.

One of their standout innovations is a partnership with Masdar to kick off the Middle East and North Africa’s first green hydrogen pilot project for directly reducing iron ore. It’s pretty exciting, really—it could cut emissions by up to 95%. This project not only places EMSTEEL at the forefront of the UAE’s growing hydrogen economy, but also demonstrates a scalable way to decarbonize steel production on a larger scale.

All these efforts are backing the company’s True Green™ programme, which provides verified reports about the environmental impact of all their steel products. This kind of transparency is crucial—it helps clients in the industry make smarter, more sustainability-focused choices. It’s like, knowing exactly what’s inside each batch of steel helps everyone move toward greener practices.

EMSTEEL’s leadership in the world of sustainability and innovation has definitely earned them some serious recognition in 2025. Over just two months, they scooped up 12 major awards—pretty impressive. At the World Steel Association’s annual gathering in Washington DC, they snagged the Steelie Award, which recognizes excellence in low-carbon steel production and safety leadership. Meanwhile, at the Gulf Sustainability Awards, they took home gold for Inspirational Leader (thanks to Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, their Group CEO), Best Sustainability Team, and Best Zero Emission Initiative. They also won silver for their ESG practices. Plus, in Dubai at the Global ESG Awards, EMSTEEL earned two gold awards for their efforts in climate change mitigation and corporate social responsibility.

Industry publications have also taken notice. Forbes Middle East named Saeed Al Remeithi a top sustainability leader in manufacturing and industry, and they honored EMSTEEL’s green hydrogen project as the most sustainable initiative in the Middle East for that year. It kind of just proves—these guys are really making waves.

In terms of research, EMSTEEL also scored big. They ranked among the top three in the Arab Iron and Steel Federation’s 2025 scientific research competition, thanks to their work on boosting energy efficiency via artificial intelligence in electric arc furnace operations, which is key to steel production. It’s quite an achievement—honestly, I find it pretty surprising that they’re pushing so hard in R&D.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, EMSTEEL was recognized as a Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association for the second year in a row. This award—well, at least to me—really speaks volumes; it reflects a 23% drop in their Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions intensity, reinforcing their dedication to sustainable industry practices.

In 2023, they announced a bold decarbonization plan, aiming to cut greenhouse gases by 40% in their steel division and by 30% in their cement sector, all by 2030 and relative to 2019 levels. Truth be told, these targets are ambitious, but they align perfectly with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative. It really highlights EMSTEEL’s resolve to lead in sustainable manufacturing and industrial decarbonization.

Notably, the World Economic Forum also recognized EMSTEEL among the top five steel producers worldwide for their early adoption of decarbonization technologies like carbon capture and green hydrogen. It’s pretty clear—they’re actively shaping the industry’s future.

Plus, EMSTEEL showcased their innovations and environmental leadership at the Make it in the Emirates 2025 event. Their CEO, Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, even received the Aspirational Leader Award for his visionary work—an impressive testament to his role in driving progress.

At ADIPEC 2023, EMSTEEL laid out its roadmap for decarbonization, emphasizing targets to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and ultimately reach net-zero by 2050. Their efforts in 2022—such as reducing energy use by double digits and significantly lowering emissions—underline their consistent commitment to environmental stewardship.

All of these accomplishments, honestly, paint a clear picture of how EMSTEEL isn’t just about growth—they’re about responsible growth, both within the UAE and globally. As a co-chair of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s Industrial Decarbonisation Alliance for steel, EMSTEEL truly exemplifies industry leadership in sustainability, setting a high bar for others to follow. Their combined approach—innovation, renewable energy, and transparency—makes them a key driver in shaping a low-carbon future, not just for the region but for the entire steel industry.

Source: Noah Wire Services