Emirates Steel, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation (Adbic) and the largest integrated steel producer in the UAE, will participate as a platinum sponsor at Metal and Steel Saudi Arabia 2012 in Jeddah in February, the company announced.

Announcing the sponsorship, Emirates Steel’s acting CEO Saeed G Al Romaithi said: “This special edition of the event promotes Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia in particular internationally and we are proud to be part of it. Our participation and sponsorship comes as part of our marketing strategy to promote our range of products in the kingdom and we could not ask for a better opportunity such this to highlight our new expansions, products, and identify future prospects for growth and development.”

He added that Metal & Steel 2012 created an ideal platform that allowed local and regional steel leaders to network and promote the Arab steel industry. The official said Emirates Steel’s exhibition pavilion would be complemented by a strong brand presence in the venue as a whole, and more specifically at the registration area.

The plant in Abu Dhabi

He commented that the event, taking place from February 4 to 7 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, would “push the industry forward.” 

Expansions over the years

Emirates Steel has initiated an expansion programme based on a phased approach:

• In January 2006, it launched its Phase 1 expansion programme involving the purchase and construction of a 1.6 million tonnes per annum  (tpa) Direction Reduction Plant (DRP), a 1.4 million tpa Steel Melt Plant (SMP), a 0.62 million tpa Rebar Rolling Mill (RM2) and a 0.48 million tpa Wire Rod and Coil Rolling Mill (RM3) together with associated infrastructure and facilities.

• In February 2008, Emirates Steel launched its Phase 2A Expansion programme comprising a 1.6 million tpa DRP, 1.4 million tpa SMP, and associated infrastructure and facilities.

• In November 2009, the company launched its Phase 2B Expansion programme comprising a 1 million tpa Heavy Sections Rolling Mill (RM4).

Phase 1 was successfully completed in June 2009; Phase 2A was completed in 2011 and Phase 2B is due for completion in 2012. For further growth, Emirates Steel is considering a number of potential greenfield investment opportunities and acquisitions.

Emirates Steel highlights it will be one of the largest and most competitive steel producers in the GCC region and among a few regional steel producers with a diversified product range, including rebar in both straight and coil form, wire rod, sections, plate, seamless pipe, longitudinally welded pipe, hot rolled coil and semi-finished products, such as billets and direct reduced iron.