Reinforcing the UAE’s global leadership in advancing global industrial decarbonisation efforts
EMSTEEL reappointed as Co-Chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID)
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 5 October 2026: The UAE has further strengthened its role in global industrial decarbonisation efforts following the reappointment of EMSTEEL Group (ADX: EMSTEEL), one of the region’s largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers, as Co-Chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) for a second term. The reappointment reflects the UAE’s leadership and the role of its national companies in supporting global efforts to reduce industrial carbon emissions and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable industrial sector.
EMSTEEL was first appointed Co-Chair of the Alliance, which is led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in September 2024, succeeding Tata Steel in this global leadership role. Its reappointment was announced during New York Climate Week 2026.
Led by IRENA, AFID works to strengthen collaboration between industry leaders, technology companies, energy companies and eco system knowledge partners, to advance practical and scalable solutions that accelerate industry decarbonisation. EMSTEEL will co-chair the alliance alongside German chemicals company BASF, the world’s largest chemical producer.
Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said: “EMSTEEL’s reappointment as AFID Co-Chair for a second term reflects international recognition of our leadership in advancing industrial decarbonisation and shaping the future of low-carbon industry. It also highlights EMSTEEL’s practical experience in developing solutions that reduce emissions while enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness. “
Al Remeithi added: “Meaningful progress on industrial decarbonisation requires close alignment across policy, energy, finance, infrastructure and technology. Through our continued co-leadership of the Alliance, we will work to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the deployment of practical, scalable solutions across hard-to-abate sectors, while supporting the UAE’s contribution to shaping a more sustainable future for global industry.”
As AFID Co-Chair, EMSTEEL will continue to support global dialogue on decarbonisation pathways and strengthen coordination across the industry, energy and finance ecosystem. This collaboration is essential to mobilising investment, advancing infrastructure and securing the clean energy supply required to accelerate the transformation towards low-carbon industry.
This role aligns with EMSTEEL’s long-term decarbonisation strategy and its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050. The Group is advancing this ambition by expanding the use of clean electricity, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, the development of green hydrogen solutions and carbon capture technologies, embedding circular economy principles across its operations, and producing lower-carbon building materials.
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About EMSTEEL
EMSTEEL is a public joint stock company (ADX: EMSTEEL) and the UAE’s largest steel and building materials manufacturer. The Group leverages cutting-edge technologies to supply both the local market and over 70 international markets with high-quality finished products, creating a one-stop shop for the manufacturing and construction sectors.
EMSTEEL is committed to contributing to the UAE’s industrial strategy ‘Operation 300 billion’ by delivering market-leading products to support local industries, creating job opportunities for UAE Nationals, and enhancing its sustainable practices. The Group is a global leader in low-carbon steel production and is aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EMSTEEL operates 16 state-of-the-art plants, with a production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes of steel and 4.6 million tonnes of cement annually, fuelling the nation’s most iconic projects. EMSTEEL is majority owned by ADQ, an active sovereign investor with a focus on critical infrastructure and supply chains.
For more information, please visit our website: www.emsteel.com.
