Business Bureau. Gulf Today

Emirates Steel, the only integrated steel plant in the UAE and a subsidiary of the General Holding Corporation (SENAAT), is proud to be the main sponsor of the upcoming constructsteel conference 2019 organised by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) and held in the Middle East for the first time. Through sponsoring the conference, the company aims to discuss the future of the entire steel industry and contribute to the further development of the regional steel sector.

The conference, held in Dubai on 18 June, brings together professionals from the global steel construction sector to discuss current market opportunities and challenges. This year, the conference will focus on the future of the steel construction industry in 2030, seeking to understand the future of market segments alongside disruptors in the construction industry, with a particular focus on smart technology.

The conference will be addressed by Dr Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Energy and Industry UAE, who will discuss his vision for the construction sector in the UAE in 2030, as well as the importance of developing self-sufficiency and sustainability within the industry. Also speaking will be Dr. Edwin Basson, Director General of the World Steel Association (worldsteel), who will open the event, as well as Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, CEO of Emirates Steel, who will give the keynote speech.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Steel, said: “It is a source of great pride to me that Emirates Steel is the primary sponsor of this event, the first constructsteel conference to be held in the Middle East. As one of the leading steel producers in the region, we are excited to discuss the opportunities and challenges for future growth with our colleagues from around the world.”

Eng. Al Remeithi continued: “The question of what our industry will be like in eleven years’ time is a particularly pertinent one in this current climate. We are currently witnessing a slowing global demand for steel, although there are pockets of strong growth in demand, such as in the developing markets of Asia and India. With protectionist trends continuing to rise across the global steel trade market, we have to make a stark assessment of where our industry will be at the end of the next decade.”

“Nevertheless, the future is also looking bright for the global steel sector. As an industry, we have reduced the amount of energy consumption per tone of crude steel production by around 60% over the past fifty years. Technologies have enhanced processes, allowing the industry to lower CO2 emissions during manufacturing, to capture certain carbon emissions and to process industrial waste effectively. Through the impact of technology, we hope to continue this trend over the course of the following decade.” Eng. Al Remeithi concluded.

Emirates Steel’s participation in, and sponsorship of the conference demonstrates its dedication to developing the entire sector, with a particular emphasis on the future of the Middle Eastern steel industry. Emirates Steel’s involvement with the event comes within the context of Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi’s Chairmanship of the worldsteel Economics Committee.

The constructsteel conference, organised by the worldsteel organisation, is an annual event, designed to allow global steel construction professionals to meet, network and discuss the future of the industry. It brings together more than 100 companies and organisations, including c-suite executives, and has previously taken place in London and Dusseldorf.

Emirates Steel is owned by SENAAT, the UAE’s largest industrial conglomerate and a driving force for implementing the Abu Dhabi government’s industrial diversification policy. Strategically located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, some 35 kilometers away from the heart of the city of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Steel is the only integrated steel plant in the UAE, utilizing the latest rolling mill technology to produce rebar, wire rod and heavy sections.

Established in 1998, Emirates Steel grew in a relatively short period of time from a simple re-roller of imported steel billets to a complex integrated manufacturing plant, using modern solutions to tackle traditional industrial problems to generate value for its various stakeholders. In 2012, the Company began producing at a capacity of 3.5 million MTPA, following two expansions and the investment of around Dhs11 billion ($3 billion).

Emirates Steel’s underlying business goal is to be an efficient and competitive producer of finished steel products. To achieve this, the Company continually and significantly invests in expansions in the areas of processing, manufacturing and information technology. In addition, these investments help to improve product and service quality, reduce the Company’s environmental footprint and increase safety for workers and customers.