UAE’s EMSTEEL Group, one of the region’s largest publicly listed steel and building materials manufacturers, has partnered with Italian technology leader Danieli to launch the world’s first Electric Process Gas Heater (ePGH) pilot for the steel sector. The initiative is a key step in EMSTEEL’s decarbonisation strategy and part of its broader ambition to lead the transition toward green steel.
The ePGH will replace conventional gas-fired heaters at EMSTEEL’s DRI plants with electric alternatives powered by renewable energy, cutting over 2,200 tons of CO2 annually. The pilot begins with a 1.3 MW phase and is designed to scale up to a 22.7 MW system, offering a model for future retrofits across the industry.
Developed jointly with Danieli’s R&D team, the system has undergone extensive testing to ensure industrial-scale performance. EMSTEEL said the project reflects its commitment to reduce emissions by 40pct in its steel business by 2030 and to achieve net-zero by 2050.
Group CEO Engineer Saeed Ghumran Saeed Al Remeithi noted that adopting scalable clean technologies strengthens both EMSTEEL’s green steel roadmap and the UAE’s role as a hub for sustainable industrial innovation.
The company has already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 23pct, with total emissions standing at 4.5 mln tons in 2023.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EMSTEEL has a production capacity of 3.5 mln tons of steel and 4.6 mln tons of cement annually. The group exports to over 70 markets, accounting for 30pct of its sales. The company offers a diverse range of steel products, including wire rod, rebar, heavy sections, and sheet piles.
