UAE-based steel and building materials producer, EMSTEEL has been recognized as a 2026 Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association, marking its third consecutive year receiving the distinction and making it the only steel producer in the MENA region to achieve this recognition.
The recognition reflects EMSTEEL’s continued efforts to integrate sustainability across its operations, supported by progress in its decarbonization strategy and operational performance, the company said.
In 2025, the company reduced absolute emissions by 34pct compared to its 2019 baseline, while achieving emissions intensity of 0.637 tCO2e per ton of steel and 0.638 tCO2e per ton of cementitious material.
The improvements were driven by energy optimization, increased use of clean electricity and ongoing development of carbon capture and circular economy initiatives. Clean energy accounted for 88.7pct of electricity consumption in the steel business and 28.6pct in the cement segment, reducing Scope 2 emissions, while carbon capture and efficiency measures supported lower Scope 1 emissions.
The group also advanced industrial innovation, including the launch of its first Electric Process Gas Heater (ePGH), progress in green hydrogen initiatives and the expansion of circular solutions under its TrueGreen framework.
Beyond operations, EMSTEEL continues to engage in global sustainability initiatives, including its role as Co-Chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 targets.
The World Steel Association Sustainability Champions programme recognizes member companies demonstrating strong performance across environmental, social, governance and economic criteria.
The 2026 Sustainability Champions include ArcelorMittal, China Steel Corporation (CSC), EMSTEEL, Gerdau, HBIS Group, HYUNDAI Steel, InfraBuild, JFE Steel, Jingye Group, JSW Steel, POSCO Holdings, Tata Steel, Tenaris and Ternium. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EMSTEEL has an annual production capacity of 3.5 mln tons of steel and 4.6 mln tons of cement. Its steel segment, Emirates Steel, produces wire rod, rebar, heavy sections and sheet piles.
