EMSTEEL & TII partner on resilient UAE infrastructure

EMSTEEL Group and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) have announced a pioneering collaboration.

Signed in Abu Dhabi on the 29th of June 2026, the agreement aims to advance high-strength reinforcement solutions tailored for the protection and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure. This strategic partnership unites the region’s largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturer with Abu Dhabi’s leading applied research centre.

Validating the ES600 High-Strength Rebar

At the core of this partnership is a comprehensive framework established to assess and validate the performance of EMSTEEL’s ES600 high-strength rebar. The testing programme will evaluate these reinforcement solutions under highly demanding impact and protection scenarios to verify their capabilities. By establishing this robust testing environment, both organisations aim to create a definitive pathway for the future development of specialised reinforcement grades. These newly engineered materials will be designed specifically for resilience-critical applications across the UAE's strategic national assets and essential public infrastructure.

Leadership Perspectives

The leadership of both organisations views this collaboration as a pivotal step in achieving national industrial objectives.

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, outlined the overarching vision behind the agreement: “This collaboration reflects EMSTEEL’s commitment to advancing innovation that supports the UAE’s long-term infrastructure and industrial priorities. By combining our expertise in advanced steel manufacturing with TII’s world-class research and engineering capabilities, we are creating the foundation for next-generation reinforcement solutions designed for the nation’s most critical and strategically important assets. The partnership strengthens local capability, accelerates knowledge development, and reinforces the role of UAE-made steel in supporting national resilience and sustainable economic growth”.

Similarly, Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute, emphasised the immense scientific synergy the partnership offers: "This collaboration brings together TII's strengths in material characterization, advanced simulation, and impact-response assessment with EMSTEEL's world-class steelmaking expertise. Together, we are validating high-strength reinforcement for the most demanding protection applications and building the scientific foundation for next-generation solutions-developed in the UAE to safeguard the resilience of the nation's most critical infrastructure".

EMSTEEL’s Industrial and Environmental Impact

The initiative leverages EMSTEEL’s expansive production capabilities and commitment to sustainable practices. As a public joint stock company (ADX: EMSTEEL), the Group is majority-owned by ADQ, an active sovereign investor focusing on critical infrastructure and supply chains. EMSTEEL operates sixteen state-of-the-art plants with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes of steel and 4.6 million tonnes of cement, fuelling the nation’s most iconic projects. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the Group acts as a one-stop shop, supplying the domestic market and over seventy international markets with high-quality finished products.

Furthermore, this collaboration underscores EMSTEEL’s dedication to the UAE's ‘Operation 300 billion’ industrial strategy. The organisation aims to deliver market-leading products that support local industries while creating valuable job opportunities for UAE Nationals and enhancing sustainable practices. As a global leader in low-carbon steel production, EMSTEEL is strictly aligned with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

TII’s Role in Advancing Global Innovation

The Technology Innovation Institute brings unparalleled scientific capabilities to the collaboration. Serving as the dedicated applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), TII operates as a pioneering global research and development centre. The Institute features nine dedicated research centres, covering domains such as advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, AI and digital science, directed energy, quantum, secure systems, propulsion and space, and renewable and sustainable energy. By engaging with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions, and industry partners worldwide, TII connects an intellectual community. This network actively contributes to building a robust research ecosystem that reinforces Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a premier global hub for innovation.

Building a Competent Future

Through continued investment in advanced manufacturing, targeted product development, and strategic long-term partnerships, EMSTEEL is systematically expanding the role of its high-performance steel solutions. Ultimately, by applying these materials across increasingly sophisticated applications, both EMSTEEL and TII are actively supporting the broader UAE vision to build a globally competitive and innovation-driven industrial economy.