Emirates Steel, the only integrated steel plant in the UAE, announced the completion of its US$1.9bn phase two expansion programme
Emirates Steel launched the two-phased US$2.72bn expansion programme in January 2006, completing phase one in June 2009 at a cost of US$816mn. The programme has doubled production capacity at the plant, making it the largest steel plant in the UAE and the region, capable of manufacturing raw steel from iron oxide pellets.
According to Hussain Al Nowais, chairman of Emirates Steel parent company General Holding Corporation (GHC), phase two has increased Emirates Steel's total production capacity to 3.5 mmtpa.
Nowais said that the development is part of the endeavor to increase Emirates Steel's production to around 5.5 mmtpa within the next three years.
?Emirates Steel will soon become one of the largest steel complexes of its kind in the region. The objective is to satisfy local and regional demand for steel," he remarked.
He stressed that GHC would bolster its efforts to promote the industrial sector in Abu Dhabi by setting up special industrial units capable of adopting the latest technologies and offering qualified UAE nationals work opportunities.
Suhail Mubarak Athaeeth Al Ameri, Emirates Steel chairman and chief executive officer of GHC, commented, "Phase two has elevated our stature in the industry for being able to provide a more cost-effective, flexible and sustainable solution to concrete, which has proven invaluable to local and regional markets."
