EMSTEEL Group is expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and data analytics across its industrial operations in the UAE to improve productivity, operational efficiency, safety and sustainability.
The initiative aligns with Factory Forward UAE, launched by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions across the country’s manufacturing sector.
EMSTEEL’s digital infrastructure collects and processes data from more than 120,000 points across its production operations. Its Al Manara analytics and reporting portal provides more than 30 interactive dashboards, while nine AI applications incorporate over 25 machine-learning models across commercial operations, plant management and supply chain activities.
Applications include volume forecasting, pricing, process optimization and AI-based solutions to support operational decisions. The group has also introduced an AI-powered health, safety and environment assistant that provides employees with information from more than 500 specialized documents.
Further initiatives include a private 5G network, expanded automation, energy-monitoring systems and virtual reality for employee training. These projects form part of EMSTEEL’s Digital Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to develop more connected and intelligent industrial operations.
The group operates 14 plants with annual production capacity of 3.5 mln tons of steel and 4.6 mln tons of cement, supplying more than 70 markets worldwide.
EMSTEEL said its digital transformation also supports its decarbonization objectives. The group’s steel business reduced absolute emissions by 34pct between 2019 and 2025, while steel emissions intensity reached 0.637 tons of CO2 equivalent per ton in 2025. Clean electricity accounted for 88.7pct of electricity consumption across its steel operations last year.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EMSTEEL has annual production capacity of 3.5 mln tons of steel and 4.6 mln tons of cement. The group exports to more than 70 markets, which account for around 30pct of total sales, and produces a broad range of steel products including wire rod, rebar, heavy sections and sheet piles.
