Manufacturing

The United Arab Emirates is set to host the fifth "Make it in the Emirates" (MIITE) platform from 4-7 May at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), this key event, themed "Emerging Stronger," highlights the nation's commitment to industrial resilience.

MIITE 2026 coincides with new strategic initiatives approved by the Cabinet, designed to fortify the UAE's industrial sector and ensure business continuity. A significant measure is the establishment of a national industrial resilience fund worth AED 1 billion. This fund aims to support the localisation of vital industries, enhance the strength of supply chains, and quicken the adoption of artificial intelligence in production, operations, and planning.

The National In-Country Value (ICV) programme will also be expanded, becoming a mandatory framework for all federal government entities and national companies. This move seeks to direct national spending towards supporting local industries. Moreover, a new policy will bolster the presence of UAE-made products in retail outlets and e-commerce platforms, prioritising everyday essentials like bottled water, dairy products, and bread.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, emphasised the UAE's forward momentum. "Our national industrial sector continues to raise the bar of ambition, advancing into a new phase where our industries move beyond a local role to become a globally influential force, underpinned by exceptional resilience and artificial intelligence, which is redefining the UAE’s competitiveness and confidently shaping its future," he stated. He added that the new government initiatives represent "a qualitative leap" in the UAE’s industrial journey, fostering an integrated ecosystem to stimulate demand and enhance decision-making.

The Cabinet has also endorsed the creation of the National Industrial Data Committee, chaired by His Excellency Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Undersecretary of MoIAT. This committee will focus on accelerating the collection and integration of strategic industrial data to enable faster decision-making.

MIITE 2026 itself will connect over 1,100 exhibitors from 12 industrial sectors, aiming to localise the production of approximately 5,000 products within the UAE. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a significant portion of participants, making up 61% of exhibitors. The event is expected to draw over 120,000 visitors, including international investors and industry leaders, showcasing advancements in robotics, autonomous systems, and AI-powered solutions.

Helium, a scarce non-renewable gas, is indispensable for numerous high-tech sectors with few viable substitutes.

Its unique cryogenic properties, superior heat conduction, chemical stability, tiny atomic size, and rapid diffusion make it vital in semiconductor fabrication, medical MRI scanners, aerospace, fibre optics, and advanced research.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including attacks on Qatar’s key energy infrastructure and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has severely disrupted not only oil and gas flows but also global helium availability.

Qatar, home to the massive Ras Laffan facility, normally accounts for over a third of worldwide helium supply as a by-product of large-scale natural gas processing.

Damage to the site and blocked shipping routes have created a dual shock, driving up prices and threatening downstream industries.

In semiconductor manufacturing, helium plays multiple irreplaceable roles.

It serves as a carrier gas in deposition, a diluent in plasma etching, and a coolant to prevent wafer warping during high-temperature steps.

It is particularly critical for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography used in sub-5nm chips that power artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The gas also enables leak detection and maintains ultra-pure environments in fabrication plants.

Some experts noted that semiconductor fabs are reliant on a stable supply, highlighting that helium escapes storage containers at roughly 1% per day, making large inventories impractical.

Demand for helium in chip production is forecast to rise more than fivefold by 2035, according to market analysts.

Major players such as TSMC typically hold several months of stock and operate recycling systems, yet prolonged disruption could slow output or, in extreme cases, force temporary shutdowns.

South Korea’s chipmakers, including Samsung and SK Hynix, appear especially exposed after sourcing around 65% of their helium from Qatar in recent years, though some have secured longer-term deals with suppliers drawing from US sources.

Taiwan has a somewhat more diversified position but still faces risks.

Helium is typically extracted in tiny concentrations (0.3–0.5%) from natural gas and requires energy-intensive cryogenic separation, membranes, and pressure swing adsorption before liquefaction for transport.

Qatar’s vast processing scale at Ras Laffan made it uniquely central to global supply.

Alternative geological sources with higher helium concentrations exist, notably in the US and Canada, where smaller operators can deploy lower-cost membrane and PSA technologies, but scaling these will take time.

Some industry figures have estimated that if the strait opened immediately, it would still take four to six months to normalise supply.

Should the crisis persist, semiconductor manufacturers are likely to accelerate helium reclamation and conservation techniques, similar to closed-loop systems successfully adopted in modern MRI machines.

Past shortages over the last two decades have already encouraged diversification strategies, including broader sourcing from the US, Russia, and emerging projects.

While contingency plans exist, the duration of the current blockage will determine the full extent of impact on the chip sector and the wider technology supply chain.

Persistent volatility could hasten efforts to reduce single-country dependence and promote balanced global helium sourcing. 

This report was based on insights from IDTechEx

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) has released findings from a public survey assessing the impact of its single-use plastics policy, highlighting significant progress in reducing plastic consumption and increasing environmental awareness across the emirate.

Introduced in 2020, the policy has played a key role in shaping broader sustainability efforts in the UAE, contributing to the implementation of nationwide restrictions on single-use plastic products. Since its launch, more than 470mn plastic bags have been avoided, while usage at major retail outlets has fallen by as much as 95%.

Recycling initiatives have also gained traction, with around 267mn plastic bottles collected through household efforts and a network of more than 170 smart recycling machines across Abu Dhabi. These measures have helped divert approximately 7,386 tonnes of plastic waste from landfill, with associated emissions savings comparable to removing around 185,000 petrol-powered vehicles from the road for a year.

To evaluate public perception and behaviour, EAD surveyed over 5,000 residents representing 126 nationalities. The results indicate a strong rise in awareness, with 96% of respondents recognising the environmental risks linked to plastic use. A similar proportion said they are actively reducing their reliance on plastic through everyday sustainable practices.

Health considerations are also influencing behaviour. Around 95% of participants acknowledged the potential health impacts associated with plastic products, signalling a broader shift towards safer consumption choices. Public response to awareness campaigns has been largely positive, with 89% expressing satisfaction with the clarity and effectiveness of EAD’s messaging.

The survey also points to growing acceptance of policy measures supporting sustainability. Nearly 89% of respondents said the cost of reusable alternatives is reasonable, while 88% supported allocating proceeds from plastic bag charges to environmental initiatives. In addition, 95% indicated confidence in existing regulations and enforcement measures.

Officials say the findings reflect a meaningful change in public attitudes, reinforcing the effectiveness of policy interventions and awareness campaigns. The results are expected to inform future regulatory developments, including plans to further oversee the trade of single-use products and promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

The outcomes align with national sustainability ambitions, including the UAE’s broader efforts to reduce plastic pollution and encourage responsible consumption. Public support for these initiatives appears strong, with 93% of respondents expressing overall satisfaction with the survey and its objectives.

EAD noted that the results underline Abu Dhabi’s leadership in advancing environmental policies and fostering community engagement in sustainability. By combining regulation, awareness and innovation, the emirate is continuing to build momentum towards reducing plastic waste and supporting a more sustainable future.

Zebra Technologies is set to outline how an emerging “intelligence supercycle” is reshaping manufacturing and economic growth at Hannover Messe 2026.

From its presence in Hall 15, the company will present insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation are transforming industrial operations.

The shift is expected to redefine workforce skills, productivity and innovation. Industry forecasts suggest that within the next few years, a significant proportion of digital workers will rely on generative AI daily, while automation will increasingly influence decision-making and employee training. These developments are unfolding alongside persistent challenges such as supply chain disruption, talent shortages and intensifying competition.

Zebra argues that the most practical path forward lies not in pursuing artificial general intelligence, but in advancing Augmented Collective Intelligence (ACI), where human expertise and AI systems operate together. This approach is particularly relevant for frontline workers, who remain central to industrial performance.

According to Zebra’s connected factory research, more than half of manufacturers in Europe anticipate AI-driven growth by the end of the decade, with nearly all prioritising digital transformation. However, progress remains uneven. Misalignment between executive leadership, IT and operational teams, as well as uncertainty over implementation strategies, continues to slow adoption of Industry 5.0 frameworks.

Geopolitical pressures and trade shifts are also influencing manufacturing strategies. As companies explore re-shoring or relocating production closer to home markets, the need for robust traceability and visibility across supply chains is increasing. Ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards is becoming more complex as operations diversify geographically.

At the event, Zebra’s leadership team will host a series of discussions focused on building the connected factory. Topics will include data infrastructure, supply chain resilience and the practical application of AI on the shop floor. A key session will examine “AI in the moment”, highlighting how real-time intelligence, powered by on-device AI and advanced sensing technologies, can enable faster and more adaptive decision-making in operational environments.

Alongside its thought leadership programme, Zebra will showcase a range of partner-led demonstrations designed to illustrate real-world applications of connected factory solutions. These include systems for product authentication, quality inspection, and automated material handling, as well as tools that integrate AI into enterprise resource planning workflows.

By combining its own technologies with a broader partner ecosystem, Zebra aims to demonstrate how manufacturers can move beyond isolated digital initiatives towards fully integrated, data-driven operations. The company positions this shift as essential for improving efficiency, strengthening resilience and maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly complex industrial landscape.