Expo Centre Sharjah is gearing up to host SteelFab 2027, convening global manufacturers, investors, technology providers, and industrial decision-makers to access burgeoning opportunities across the UAE, GCC, and wider Middle East and North Africa.

The upcoming edition reinforces the event's evolution from a conventional trade exhibition into a strategic industrial platform facilitating cross-border investment, commercial partnerships, and advanced technology adoption.

The metalworking and steel fabrication sectors across the Middle East are experiencing rapid modernisation, catalysed by heavy regional infrastructure, energy projects, and targeted national industrial strategies. SteelFab 2027 acts as a bridge uniting international industrial capability with high-potential regional markets.

Building on the commercial momentum of SteelFab 2026

The trajectory of the 2027 show builds upon the commercial outcomes and scale recorded during its 2026 edition. The previous event served as a major conduit for cross-border industrial trade, yielding commercial agreements, supply-chain tie-ups, and distribution network expansions through structured business-to-business meetings.

Key operational metrics and participant demographics from the previous edition include:

• Exhibition scale: Welcomed 350 exhibitors and more than 600 leading domestic and international brands spanning 25,000 square metres of space.

• Global footprint: Drew international participation from 35 nations, including major industrial markets such as the UK, Germany, China, Turkey, India, the UAE, Taiwan, Thailand, and Egypt.

• Export breadth: Hosted participating global manufacturing enterprises that export to more than 70 countries worldwide.

His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “SteelFab 2027 will build on the exhibition’s strong international momentum and further strengthen its role as a gateway connecting global industrial expertise with opportunities across the UAE and the wider region. By bringing manufacturers, investors, technology leaders and buyers together in Sharjah, the exhibition creates a highly effective environment for partnerships, knowledge exchange and sustainable commercial growth.”

“SteelFab contributes directly to Sharjah’s economic development by attracting international businesses, supporting industrial activity and strengthening the Emirate’s position as a destination for business tourism and specialised exhibitions. Its impact also supports the UAE’s industrial ambitions by encouraging high-value investment, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and connecting local and regional manufacturers with international markets and supply chains.”

Digital transformation and advanced industrial technologies

SteelFab 2027 will leverage the digital ecosystem introduced during the 2026 edition, which made history as the first trade show in the UAE and region to integrate AI-driven exhibition platforms. At the centre of this operational model is AetherEx, a proprietary digital twin platform designed to prolong market exposure for exhibitors beyond physical show dates. The system incorporates interactive virtual pavilions alongside real-time analytical dashboards that track buyer behaviour and gauge visitor sentiment.

Concurrently, the showcase maintains comprehensive coverage of heavy machinery, smart fabrication, and metalworking processes. Building on previous product displays, the event showcases next-generation solutions engineered to streamline industrial efficiency, such as:

• Next-generation steel production machinery, cost-efficient laser-cutting tools, and AI-driven manufacturing robotics for intricate fabrications.

• Heavy-duty CNC machines designed specifically for demanding oil, gas, and aerospace applications.

• Precision press brakes, metal-forming equipment, advanced laser-marking tools, and cutting-edge welding systems.

• Powder-coating setups spanning manual booths to automated systems, industrial curing ovens, pre-treatment tunnels, and specialised plant machinery for air-conditioning and electrical cabinet production.

SteelFab 2027 underpins Sharjah’s position as a pivotal trade hub and manufacturing gateway for the regional industrial economy by uniting digital twin technology with shop-floor machinery.

The Middle East is on the cusp of a significant shift in its medium-voltage infrastructure.

According to new research by IDC, nearly half of the region's organisations are either already transitioning away from SF₆ or planning to do so within the next two years.

WETEX serves as a crucial platform for discussing the future of utility infrastructure, and this year, the spotlight is firmly on the move towards SF₆-free technologies. The newly published IDC White Paper, titled "SF₆-Free MV Switchgear: Industry Readiness, Decision Drivers, and the Way Forward", surveyed 700 medium-voltage infrastructure decision-makers globally.

Readiness and regulatory expectations

The survey, spanning electric utilities, data centres, electro-intensive industries, and physical infrastructure sectors, paints a clear picture of a region anticipating swift regulatory changes.

In the Middle East, the findings reveal a strong appetite for modernisation:

• 14% of organisations have already commenced their transition to SF₆-free equipment.

• 32% anticipate beginning this transition within two years.

• Nearly all remaining respondents expect to make the change within five years.

• 99% consider it likely that SF₆ regulations will be introduced in their countries within the next half-decade.

Despite this forward-looking approach, there are hurdles to overcome. Decision-makers in the Middle East pointed to several barriers:

• Technical readiness (58%)

• Supply chain availability (47%)

• Product availability (46%)

• Cost (42%)

Interestingly, the perception of cost is heavily influenced by how lifecycle expenses are calculated. At present, only 29% evaluate the full lifecycle cost of their equipment, which includes the complex end-of-life handling of SF₆. However, across the entire global sample, 92% rate the management of SF₆ at the end of its lifecycle as a major or moderate cost. Factoring these long-term expenses into initial procurement decisions substantially narrows the perceived cost gap between traditional and SF₆-free alternatives.

The pivotal role of national utilities

Utilities are undeniably setting the pace. Globally, 73% of survey participants stated that guidance from utilities or grid operators directly influences their own procurement strategies. Furthermore, IDC identifies national utilities within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as being among the markets expected to transition most rapidly once clear guidance is established.

Electric utilities are leading across every readiness metric measured in the study. Currently, 79% express a willingness to adopt SF₆-free equipment, and 62% are proactively piloting new technologies ahead of formal regulations.

The IDC study was sponsored by Schneider Electric. Emphasising the importance of these trends:

“Utilities across the Gulf are making decisions today about how their grids will run for decades to come,” said Amel Chadli, Gulf Cluster and Countries President at Schneider Electric. “This research tells us the region is ready to move, and that it is looking to its utilities to set the direction. WETEX brings those decision-makers together in one place, which is why we chose to share these findings here, alongside the technology that makes the transition practical.”

Practical solutions across the asset lifecycle

At WETEX, the practical application of this transition is being showcased comprehensively. Demonstrations follow the complete lifecycle of energy and water assets, moving seamlessly from the initial design phase through to building, operation, and maintenance.

Organisations can deploy proven SF₆-free medium-voltage ranges that utilise pure air and vacuum interruption, enhanced with digital monitoring. Modern switchgear solutions, including RM AirSeT, GM AirSeT, and MCSET with EvoPact, are proving their viability, with over 150,000 similar functions active worldwide.

Alongside switchgear, the transition to smarter grids is supported by an array of digital technologies:

• ETAP’s electrical digital twins tailored for grid design.

• The One Digital Grid Platform and EcoStruxure Power Automation System for real-time grid operation.

• EcoCare, EcoFit, and EcoConsult services for the maintenance and modernisation of installed assets.

For water operators facing similar modernisation challenges, new digital twin tools allow for the comprehensive planning of networks before any capital is committed. Smart pumping stations, built on Altivar Process drives and EcoStruxure Automation Expert, alongside the AVEVA Digital Water Platform, offer in-depth smart water network analytics. This enables the operation of an entire water system from a single, unified digital environment. With technology now running in over 40,000 water and environment installations across more than 150 countries, and partnerships with ten of the world’s largest electric grid operators, the pathway to sustainable, efficient infrastructure is clearer than ever.

The global landscape of energy production is undergoing a profound transformation as nations and industrial conglomerates race to secure sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil resources.

At the heart of this transition, the Middle East is rapidly evolving into a pivotal hub for the generation and export of next-generation energy commodities. Serving this burgeoning demand, a significant new infrastructure initiative has been unveiled, designed to supply international markets with critical clean energy solutions.

Driving this momentum, Go Energy Group, operating through its parent organisation Go Energy USA Corporation, has formalised a strategic alliance with Clean Energy Co. The latter, a prominent Saudi Arabian enterprise operating within the publicly listed Ethraa Group framework alongside its subsidiary SARCO, brings substantial regional expertise to the venture. Together, these entities are collaborating to spearhead a major new low-carbon fuels project situated within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Designed from its inception with a robust export-oriented business model, the initiative specifically identifies Europe and Asia as its primary target markets. Both regions are currently experiencing a surging industrial and commercial appetite for sustainable feedstock and power generation alternatives.

A comprehensive phased development strategy

To manage the scale and complexity of the operation, the consortium has outlined a rigorous, three-phase development trajectory. This structured approach allows the partnership to scale production safely and in alignment with international demand. The core project parameters include:

• Initial production capacity: The facility will commence operations with a baseline output of approximately 50,000 tonnes of low-carbon fuel per year.

• Progressive scaling: A three-phase expansion plan is integrated into the project's lifecycle to ensure steady and manageable growth.

• Maximum build-out target: At the culmination of its final phase, the ambitious infrastructure project is intended to reach a maximum capacity of up to 400,000 tonnes annually.

• Configuration and product slate: The ultimate technical configuration, optimal capacity ramp-up schedules, and final investment decisions will be dictated by the results of ongoing technical, commercial, and regulatory feasibility assessments.

Advancing engineering and technological frameworks

Operational progress is already underway, with the initial engineering design activities having officially commenced. The development partners are actively evaluating a spectrum of advanced technologies to integrate into the facility. Their primary objective is to deploy systems specifically engineered to support the efficient production of low-carbon fuels, with a strict emphasis on overall performance and suitability for the rigorous standards of international markets.

Before construction can begin, the consortium must complete a comprehensive suite of preparatory work. This includes finalising further engineering schematics, undertaking detailed feasibility studies, securing all necessary environmental and operational permits, and outlining the supporting infrastructure requirements. Subject to the successful navigation of these developmental milestones and regulatory approvals, the partners anticipate that the facility will officially enter commercial operation in the first quarter of 2029.

Meeting international demand across Europe and Asia

The strategic positioning of this Saudi Arabian facility is intrinsically linked to the shifting regulatory and commercial frameworks across Europe and Asia. Industries within these continents are actively seeking lower-carbon energy options to meet increasingly stringent environmental targets. As the project matures, Go Energy Group and Clean Energy Co will continuously assess the most viable products and logistical routes to market. This fluid approach ensures the project remains responsive to specific customer requirements, evolving international standards, and dynamic regulatory landscapes.

A pivot towards broader strategic opportunities

Interestingly, this current alliance represents a strategic evolution in the relationship between the participating organisations. Previously, the companies had signed a memorandum of understanding to exclusively explore the development of a renewable ammonia plant. However, following a comprehensive strategic review of market conditions, the parties mutually agreed to conclude that initial agreement.

Instead, they have chosen to formalise this new, broader cooperation focused entirely on the rapidly expanding low-carbon fuels sector. This decisive pivot reflects a shared intention to closely align their collaborative efforts with the most lucrative and impactful market opportunities currently available. Furthermore, this refined focus serves to reinforce and deepen the overarching strategic relationship between Go Energy Group and the Ethraa Group portfolio, positioning them as formidable players in the future of global clean energy exports.