Abu Dhabi has succeeded in fast-tracking its industrial activities and stepping up the expansion of its industrial base with particular emphasis on steel manufacturing, according to the head of Emirates Steel.

Suhail Al Ameri, chairman of Emirates Steel and director general of General Holding Corporation (GHC), the steel firm’s parent company, made the remark during the visit to Emirates Steel by a high-level delegation of 80 steel industry professionals.

They visited Emirate Steel’s industrial complex in Abu Dhabi to tour Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the company’s expansion programme.

Located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), Emirates Steel is the only integrated steel plant in the UAE. The one-day visit offered steel professionals from 14 countries the chance to familiarise themselves with Emirates Steel’s technologically advanced plants.

Prior to the site visit, the experts attended a presentation by engineer Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Emirates Steel’s vice president of projects, highlighting Emirates Steel’s progress in implementing its phased expansion programme.

Once the programme is completed, Al Dhaheri said, the company’s total production capacity will rise to more than 6 million tonnes per annum by 2013, making it one of the largest manufacturers of steel in the Middle East.

Carl Andersson, Emirates Steel’s senior vice president for operations, said the 80 delegates who visited Emirates Steel’s plants were familiarised with the expansion projects and given an understanding of the company’s production processes and its range of products. Emirates Steel operates a complex integrated manufacturing pla- nt using modern solutions to tackle traditional industrial problems to generate value for its stakeholders.

The delegates toured the company’s Phase 1 direct reduction plant, operating at a capacity of 1.6 million tonnes per year, the 1.4 million tonnes per year steel melt plant and the rolling mills. In addition, the delegates also visited the Phase 2 site to witness progress on the second direct reduction plant and steel melt plant (Phase 2A) plus the 1 million tonnes per year heavy sections rolling mill (Phase 2B).

Phase 1 was successfully completed in June 2009; Phase 2A is scheduled to be completed in 2011 and Phase 2B by 2012. Saeed Al Romaithi, Emirates Steel’s vice president - primary production, pointed out that the many strategic alliances that the company has established with leading technology providers, coupled with its state-of-the-art facilities and highly-experienced and committed workforce, would enable Emirates Steel to maintain its position at the forefront of the industrial sector in the emirate.

Emirates Steel is the only integrated steel plant in the UAE, utilising the latest steel manufacturing and rolling technology, to produce reinforcing bar and wire rod. It currently has a finished product capacity of 2 million tonnes per year which will rise to 3 million tonnes in early 2012 as part of its Dh9 billion ($2.45 billion) phased expansion plan.

Italy conference
Earlier, Emirates Steel shared its expertise with an international audience of more than 500 delegates from 54 countries at a specialised iron and steel conference in Italy. The conference, hosted by Danieli, a leading company in the manufacture of steel plants, focused on the latest achievements and developments in both long and flat products.

Highlighting the importance of the event, Hussain J Al Nowais, chairman of GHC, said Emirates Steel had achieved its business goal to be an efficient and competitive producer of finished steel products.

Al Nowais pointed out that “the objective of our participation is to get acquainted with the latest technologies in the field in order for us to further improve our product quality and performance”.