UAE Steel Demand Reaches About 10 Million Tonnes in 2026, Emsteel Chief Says

The head of the Abu Dhabi-listed producer told an Arab steel summit in Cairo that UAE construction and infrastructure work is holding up demand, even though Middle East crude steel output fell 9.2 per cent in the first nine months of the year.

By Nakoda News Desk

1 day ago·2 min read

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Demand for iron and steel in the UAE has reached about 10 million tonnes in 2026, according to Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, chief executive of Emsteel Group. Al Bayan reported his remarks at the 19th Arab Steel Summit, held in Cairo on November 3 and 4.

Al Remeithi, who is also vice-chairman of the Arab steel federation, said construction, real estate development and infrastructure projects across the country were driving demand. He said UAE producers had shown strong operational resilience in the face of rapid regional and global change, which allowed them to keep production running and supply the local market.

UAE demand has held up while output across the wider region has fallen. Al Bayan cited World Steel Association figures showing Middle East crude steel production down 9.2 per cent in the first nine months of 2026, at 36.9 million tonnes, compared with about 40.6 million tonnes a year earlier. That is a drop of nearly 3.7 million tonnes. In September alone, regional output fell 20.4 per cent from a year earlier to about 3.6 million tonnes.

Emsteel has about 45 per cent of the UAE market and an annual production capacity of about 3.5 million tonnes of steel products, according to the report.

Trade and Low-Carbon Steel

Al Remeithi called for closer integration among Arab steel producers to make them more competitive globally. He also argued for fair trade rules rather than wider protectionist measures, which he said could disrupt global trade flows. A balanced trade environment with equal opportunities would encourage industrial investment, he said.

On the industry's future, he pointed to direct reduced iron technology as a route to lower-carbon steel and described green hydrogen as an important path for cutting emissions. Emsteel already makes steel through direct reduction and electric arc furnaces and is exploring the use of hydrogen in production, Al Bayan reported.

Why It Matters

Steel demand is a practical measure of how much building is under way. A figure of around 10 million tonnes points to continued construction and infrastructure spending in the UAE at a time when regional producers face lower output and when global markets are turning to tariffs and trade defences. For Emsteel, a market share of about 45 per cent leaves it well placed to benefit from domestic projects. Its emphasis on hydrogen and direct reduction also ties in with UAE industrial and climate targets.