Rising steadily from its desert foundations, the UAE's steel industry is forging a robust and increasingly green future, as evidenced by its 3.5 million metric tons of production in 2022 and its ambitious investments in hydrogen-based technology.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Emirates Steel produced 3.5 million metric tons of finished steel products, marking a 5% increase from 2021.
- UAE steel production reached 5.2 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for 0.6% of global output.
- Direct reduced iron (DRI) production in UAE hit 2.8 million tons in 2022 by Emirates Steel.
- Emirates Steel's installed production capacity is 5.8 million tons per annum for finished steel products.
- UAE has 4 major steel mini-mills with combined capacity of 7.2 million tons.
- Emirates Steel's DRI capacity stands at 3.0 million tons annually.
- UAE steel exports totaled $1.2 billion in 2022.
- UAE imported 4.1 million tons of steel scrap in 2023.
- Rebar exports from UAE reached 1.8 million tons in 2022.
- UAE steel industry contributes 2.5% to GDP in 2022.
- Steel sector employs 25,000 direct workers in UAE as of 2023.
- Average salary in UAE steel industry: AED 15,000/month in 2022.
- UAE steel reduces CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tons annually via EAF.
- 100% green hydrogen pilot in Emirates Steel DRI by 2023.
- Water recycling rate in UAE steel plants: 95% in 2022.
UAE steel production grew significantly in 2023, led by its advanced Emirates Steel facility.
Capacity and Facilities
- Emirates Steel's installed production capacity is 5.8 million tons per annum for finished steel products.
- UAE has 4 major steel mini-mills with combined capacity of 7.2 million tons.
- Emirates Steel's DRI capacity stands at 3.0 million tons annually.
- Total EAF capacity in UAE is 6.5 million tons as of 2023.
- Abu Dhabi steel complex capacity: 4.0 million tons of billets.
- UAE rolling mill capacity for rebar: 3.5 million tons per year.
- Scrap processing capacity in UAE ports: 2.5 million tons annually.
- Emirates Steel's hot strip mill capacity: 1.5 million tons HRC.
- Total DRI facilities in UAE: 3 plants with 4.2 million tons capacity.
- UAE steel slab casting capacity: 1.8 million tons per annum.
- Wire rod mill capacity at Emirates Steel: 800,000 tons/year.
- UAE's structural steel section capacity: 1.2 million tons.
- Planned expansion adds 2 million tons to UAE steel capacity by 2025.
- Ras Al Khaimah Steel's capacity: 1.5 million tons rebar annually.
- UAE ladle furnace capacity across mills: 5.0 million tons.
- Continuous casting machines in UAE: 6 units with 6.0 mtpa capacity.
- Emirates Steel's cold rolling capacity: 500,000 tons per year.
- Total UAE steel industry land area: 15 square kilometers across facilities.
- UAE HBI briquetting capacity: 2.0 million tons annually.
- Sharjah steel mill capacity: 900,000 tons of long products.
- UAE vacuum degassing capacity: 3.5 million tons equivalent.
- Floating shear lines in UAE: 4 with 2.8 mtpa throughput.
- Emirates Steel's galvanizing line capacity: 400,000 tons/year.
- Total power generation capacity for UAE steel plants: 1,200 MW.
Capacity and Facilities Interpretation
With a foundry-like appetite for growth, the UAE's steel industry has forged itself into a serious heavyweight, boasting an interconnected web of specialized mills and furnaces that could literally rebuild a small nation every year.
Employment and Economy
- UAE steel industry contributes 2.5% to GDP in 2022.
- Steel sector employs 25,000 direct workers in UAE as of 2023.
- Average salary in UAE steel industry: AED 15,000/month in 2022.
- Steel exports generated $1.5 billion revenue for UAE in 2023.
- Indirect jobs from steel industry: 50,000 in supply chain 2022.
- R&D investment in steel: AED 200 million annually by Emirates Steel.
- Steel sector FDI inflows: $500 million in UAE 2021-2023.
- Tax contributions from steel firms: AED 1.2 billion in 2022.
- Emirates Steel workforce training: 5,000 employees skilled in 2023.
- Economic multiplier effect of steel: 2.8x in UAE economy.
- Steel industry power consumption: 10% of industrial total in UAE.
- Local content in steel production: 65% UAE nationals employed in key roles 2023.
- Steel sector growth contribution to non-oil GDP: 3% in 2022.
- Annual wages bill in UAE steel: AED 4.5 billion in 2023.
- Corporate profits from steel: AED 2.8 billion for top firms 2022.
- Steel supports 15% of UAE manufacturing jobs.
- Investment in steel automation: AED 1 billion since 2020.
- Steel industry's logistics jobs: 8,000 in UAE ports 2023.
- Emiratisation rate in steel: 25% in 2023.
- Steel value added to economy: AED 12 billion in 2022.
Employment and Economy Interpretation
While its direct economic footprint might seem modest at first glance, the UAE's steel industry is the muscular backbone of the nation, forging a high-wage, high-skill workforce, generating billions in exports and taxes, and proving its mettle by supporting a vast ecosystem of jobs while steadily building up its local talent and technological prowess.
Market and Trade
- UAE steel exports totaled $1.2 billion in 2022.
- UAE imported 4.1 million tons of steel scrap in 2023.
- Rebar exports from UAE reached 1.8 million tons in 2022.
- UAE steel market size valued at $4.5 billion in 2023.
- Top export destination for UAE steel: Saudi Arabia, 25% of total in 2022.
- UAE HRC imports: 800,000 tons in 2023.
- Domestic steel consumption in UAE: 6.2 million tons in 2022.
- UAE steel export growth: 12% YoY in 2023 to 3.5 million tons.
- Scrap import sources: 60% from USA to UAE in 2022.
- UAE billet exports: 1.2 million tons primarily to Middle East.
- Steel price index in UAE averaged AED 2,500/ton for rebar in 2023.
- UAE's share in GCC steel market: 15% in 2022.
- Wire rod imports to UAE: 250,000 tons in 2023.
- UAE steel trade balance surplus: $800 million in 2022.
- Exports to Africa from UAE steel: 20% of total volume in 2023.
- Domestic rebar consumption: 2.5 million tons in UAE 2022.
- UAE galvanized steel exports: 300,000 tons in 2023.
- Scrap prices in UAE ports: $450/ton average in 2023.
- UAE's steel import tariff: 5% on finished products.
- Total steel trade volume UAE: 10.5 million tons in 2022.
- HBI exports from UAE: 1.5 million tons to Europe in 2023.
- UAE construction sector steel demand: 70% of domestic consumption.
- Steel imports from China to UAE: 1.0 million tons in 2022.
- UAE rebar export price: $650/ton FOB in 2023.
- Market share of Emirates Steel in UAE: 60% in 2023.
Market and Trade Interpretation
Despite its voracious appetite for scrap metal and love affair with Saudi construction sites, the UAE's steel industry shrewdly maintains a lucrative trade surplus by adding serious value, transforming imported scrap into finished rebar and hot-rolled coil for its neighbors and beyond.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Emirates Steel produced 3.5 million metric tons of finished steel products, marking a 5% increase from 2021.
- UAE steel production reached 5.2 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for 0.6% of global output.
- Direct reduced iron (DRI) production in UAE hit 2.8 million tons in 2022 by Emirates Steel.
- Rebar production in UAE steel mills totaled 2.1 million tons in 2021.
- UAE's billet production capacity utilization was 92% in 2023.
- In 2020, UAE produced 4.8 million tons of crude steel.
- Emirates Steel's long products output grew 7% to 3.2 million tons in 2023.
- UAE scrap-based steel production was 1.2 million tons in 2022.
- Hot rolled coil (HRC) production in UAE reached 1.5 million tons annually by 2023.
- UAE steel slab production increased 10% to 900,000 tons in 2022.
- Emirates Steel's wire rod production hit 450,000 tons in 2023.
- Total UAE steel output per capita was 50 kg in 2022.
- In Q4 2023, UAE monthly steel production averaged 450,000 tons.
- UAE's EAF steel production share was 85% of total in 2022.
- Emirates Steel produced 1.1 million tons of structural steel sections in 2023.
- UAE steel production grew 4.2% YoY in 2021 to 5.0 million tons.
- DRI module at Emirates Steel produced 2.5 million tons in 2022.
- UAE's mini-mill output reached 3.8 million tons in 2023.
- Rebar yield in UAE steel plants averaged 98% in 2022.
- UAE produced 600,000 tons of deformed bars in 2021.
- Emirates Steel's HBI production was 1.8 million tons in 2023.
- UAE steel production index rose 6% in 2023.
- Total long steel products in UAE: 4.1 million tons in 2022.
- Scrap melting capacity utilization in UAE was 89% in 2023.
- UAE's steel coil output increased to 1.2 million tons in 2023.
- Emirates Steel's annual billet output: 2.9 million tons in 2022.
- UAE steel production from natural gas-based DRI: 70% of total in 2023.
- Monthly average steel output in UAE Q1 2024: 480,000 tons.
- UAE's specialty steel production: 300,000 tons in 2023.
- Total crude steel production in Abu Dhabi: 4.5 million tons in 2022.
Production Statistics Interpretation
While the UAE's steel industry continues to forge ahead with impressive growth and efficiency, its current global share of 0.6% reveals a sector that is, for now, a formidable and sharply honed tool for building the nation's future rather than dominating the world market.
Sustainability and Innovation
- UAE steel reduces CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tons annually via EAF.
- 100% green hydrogen pilot in Emirates Steel DRI by 2023.
- Water recycling rate in UAE steel plants: 95% in 2022.
- Energy efficiency improvement: 20% in UAE steel since 2015.
- Scrap recycling rate: 98% in Emirates Steel operations 2023.
- ISO 14001 certified steel mills in UAE: 5 out of 6 major ones.
- Dust emission reduction: 40% in UAE EAFs by 2022.
- Solar power usage in steel facilities: 15% of energy needs 2023.
- Digital twin technology adopted in 3 UAE steel plants for optimization.
- Carbon capture pilot at Emirates Steel: 50,000 tons/year capacity.
- 50% reduction in NOx emissions targeted by 2025 in UAE steel.
- AI predictive maintenance reduces downtime 25% in UAE mills.
- Circular economy index for UAE steel: 85/100 in 2023.
- Electrification of cranes in steel yards: 70% complete 2023.
- Biodiversity offset programs around steel plants: 200 hectares protected.
- Hydrogen DRI trials success rate: 90% at Emirates Steel.
- Waste-to-energy from steel byproducts: 100 MW potential.
- Industry 4.0 adoption: 60% in UAE steel processes 2023.
- Zero-waste certification for Emirates Steel sections mill.
- Renewable energy PPA for steel: 500 MW signed in 2023.
- SOx emissions below 50 mg/Nm3 in all UAE steel plants 2022.
- Robotic sorting for scrap: 95% accuracy in UAE facilities.
- Net-zero roadmap for UAE steel by 2050 published 2023.
- 30% energy from renewables in steel by 2030 target.
- Blockchain for steel traceability implemented in 2 plants.
Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation
The UAE steel industry is quietly forging a greener future, one where scrap metal is endlessly reborn, plants run on sunshine and hydrogen, and its environmental ledger is managed with the same precision as its production lines.
Sources & References
- Reference 1EMIRATESSTEELemiratessteel.comVisit source
- Reference 2WORLDSTEELworldsteel.orgVisit source
- Reference 3MOIATmoiat.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 4ARABSTEELarabsteel.orgVisit source
- Reference 5STEELORBISsteelorbis.comVisit source
- Reference 6LIBERTYSTEELGROUPlibertysteelgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 7CEICDATAceicdata.comVisit source
- Reference 8TRADINGECONOMICStradingeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 9STEELRADARsteelradar.comVisit source
- Reference 10MIDREXmidrex.comVisit source
- Reference 11STEELONTHENETsteelonthenet.comVisit source
- Reference 12QUALITYSTEELqualitysteel.orgVisit source
- Reference 13IBEFibef.orgVisit source
- Reference 14FEDERALCOMPETITIVENESSfederalcompetitiveness.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 15GULFSTEELgulfsteel.comVisit source
- Reference 16ISPATGURUispatguru.comVisit source
- Reference 17STEEL-TECHNOLOGYsteel-technology.comVisit source
- Reference 18ENERGYPOLICYenergypolicy.aeVisit source
- Reference 19ADVANCEDMATERIALSadvancedmaterials.aeVisit source
- Reference 20ADNECadnec.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 21DUBAITRADEdubaitrade.aeVisit source
- Reference 22ARABIRONSTEELUNIONarabironsteelunion.orgVisit source
- Reference 23GULFCONSTRUCTIONgulfconstruction.comVisit source
- Reference 24MEImei.eduVisit source
- Reference 25RAKSTEELraksteel.aeVisit source
- Reference 26ADINDUSTRIALCITIESadindustrialcities.comVisit source
- Reference 27SHARJASTEELsharjasteel.comVisit source
- Reference 28DEWAdewa.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 29OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 30TRADEMAPtrademap.orgVisit source
- Reference 31STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 32ZAUBAzauba.comVisit source
- Reference 33BISbis.doc.govVisit source
- Reference 34GULFBUSINESSgulfbusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 35CENTRALBANKcentralbank.aeVisit source
- Reference 36AFRICABUSINESSafricabusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 37CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINEconstructionweekonline.comVisit source
- Reference 38MOFmof.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 39COMTRADEcomtrade.un.orgVisit source
- Reference 40MECONSTRUCTIONNEWSmeconstructionnews.comVisit source
- Reference 41CHINATRADEHUBchinatradehub.orgVisit source
- Reference 42STEELPRICESsteelprices.euVisit source
- Reference 43BAYTbayt.comVisit source
- Reference 44ADCCIadcci.orgVisit source
- Reference 45INVESTUAEinvestuae.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 46FTAfta.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 47IMFimf.orgVisit source
- Reference 48SCADscad.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 49SALARYEXPLORERsalaryexplorer.comVisit source
- Reference 50DUBAIHCIdubaihci.aeVisit source
- Reference 51MOECmoec.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 52DPWORLDdpworld.comVisit source
- Reference 53NSSnss.aeVisit source
- Reference 54ISOiso.orgVisit source
- Reference 55EPAepa.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 56MUBADALAmubadala.comVisit source
- Reference 57ADNOCadnoc.aeVisit source
- Reference 58IBMibm.comVisit source
- Reference 59CIRCULARUAEcircularuae.comVisit source
- Reference 60ENVIRONMENTenvironment.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 61BEAHbeah.aeVisit source
- Reference 62MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 63EADead.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 64MASDARmasdar.aeVisit source