Masdar and Emsteel have completed the UAE's first pilot project to produce steel using green hydrogen in Abu Dhabi, marking a milestone for the Middle East and North Africa in hydrogen-powered industrial applications. The project utilizes green hydrogen to process iron ore, a fundamental step in steelmaking, and is now fully operational.
The hydrogen produced by the project has been certified by Avance Labs, an accredited hydrogen code manager, following ISO 19870 standards. Certification data was independently validated by Bureau Veritas.
Steel production is a key industry in the UAE but is also carbon-intensive. Masdar and Emsteel emphasize that advancing low-emission processes in steel is an essential step for sustainability goals. The pilot project seeks to demonstrate green hydrogen's potential to lower emissions in the steel supply chain while showcasing UAE-based clean energy and industrial sector collaboration.
“This project demonstrates world-class innovation as a result of our partnership with Emsteel to produce green steel utilizing green hydrogen,” said Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, noting the importance of decarbonizing challenging sectors in support of UAE's COP28 objectives.
Emsteel Group CEO Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi highlighted the company's efforts to use more sustainable energy sources. Emsteel, which reports using clean energy for over 80% of its production in 2023, states that its carbon intensity is 45% below the global industry average.
The pilot project aligns with Abu Dhabi's Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy and supports the UAE National Hydrogen Strategy, which targets leadership in low-carbon hydrogen production by 2031. This initiative aims to advance economic growth, sustainability, and energy security in the UAE's energy transition efforts.
