Masdar and EMSTEEL Launch MENA’s First Green Hydrogen Steelmaking Pilot Project in Abu Dhabi

Masdar and EMSTEEL have launched MENA's first green hydrogen-based steel pilot project in Abu Dhabi, leading the UAE’s push for low-carbon steel production and aligning with its National Hydrogen Strategy.

In a pioneering achievement, Masdar and EMSTEEL have successfully launched the first green hydrogen-based steel production pilot project in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), located in Abu Dhabi. This pilot demonstrates the potential for green hydrogen to revolutionize steelmaking by eliminating carbon emissions typically associated with traditional processes.

The project involves using green hydrogen as a reducing agent to extract iron from iron ore, a critical step in the steel manufacturing process. The green hydrogen used in the pilot has received certification from Avance Labs under ISO 19870 standards and was validated by Bureau Veritas, affirming the UAE’s commitment to sustainable steel production.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This project represents world-class innovation through our collaboration with EMSTEEL to produce green steel using green hydrogen. Decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries is essential to achieving the UAE's climate goals, particularly those outlined in the UAE Consensus at COP28.”

EMSTEEL Leads MENA Region with Reduced Carbon Emissions

EMSTEEL, the UAE’s largest publicly listed steelmaker, has already made strides in reducing its carbon footprint. According to Group CEO Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, EMSTEEL’s operations in 2023 utilized over 80% clean energy, with a carbon intensity 45% lower than the global average. Al Remeithi affirmed, “Our collaboration with Masdar will help advance our decarbonization efforts in the steel sector, aligning with the UAE’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy.”

UAE National Hydrogen Strategy and Abu Dhabi’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy

The pilot project aligns with the UAE's ambitious National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to establish the nation as a top producer of low-carbon hydrogen by 2031. This strategy is a significant aspect of Abu Dhabi's Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy, targeting the reduction of emissions across industries, including steelmaking. As a hard-to-abate sector, steel production contributes approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions, making this project an essential step toward a decarbonized economy.

A Blueprint for MENA’s Green Steel Production

The success of this pilot could serve as a template for other MENA nations looking to transition to sustainable steel production. It also reinforces the UAE’s drive to become a leading hub for green hydrogen and green steel, showcasing its commitment to climate targets and industrial decarbonization.