India’s Shyam Steel Group has taken a significant step in its international expansion journey with the inauguration of its first manufacturing facility outside India at Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, an investment that underlines both the company’s global ambitions and the growing appeal of the UAE as a manufacturing hub.

Established through Shyam Middle East FZC, the new facility represents an initial investment of AED60 million and positions Hamriyah Free Zone as the gateway for the Group’s expansion into international markets. From its base in Sharjah, the company aims to serve customers across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, strengthening its footprint in the non-ferrous metals recycling and manufacturing sector.

The launch reflects a broader trend among industrial manufacturers seeking strategic locations that combine logistics connectivity, industrial infrastructure and access to fast-growing regional markets. For Shyam Steel, the UAE offers all three.

During a visit to the facility, Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), toured the plant’s manufacturing operations, including its metal recycling systems and aluminium and copper alloy production lines. The facility has been equipped with advanced manufacturing technologies, technical laboratories and quality assurance systems designed to support high levels of operational efficiency, product quality and sustainability.

At full utilisation, the plant is expected to produce 24,000 tonnes of aluminium alloys and 6,000 tonnes of copper alloys annually, creating a platform for future growth in higher-value industrial segments.

The project is about more than production capacity. It also reflects Shyam Steel’s long-term vision to expand into advanced materials and specialised manufacturing. Plans are already taking shape for future phases that could include the production of special alloy steel and rare earth metals, broadening the company’s product portfolio and opening access to new export opportunities.

Shyam Steel aims to set up the Sharjah facility as a regional centre for non-ferrous metal recycling

A key pillar of the strategy is sustainability. By investing in advanced recycling technologies and circular manufacturing processes, the company aims to strengthen resource efficiency while supporting growing demand for responsibly sourced industrial materials. The approach aligns closely with regional efforts to accelerate industrial sustainability and circular economy initiatives.

The company’s ambitions are matched by a substantial investment roadmap. Beyond the initial AED60 million outlay, Shyam Middle East FZC plans to invest a further AED150 million in phased expansion projects over the coming years. The programme is expected to enhance manufacturing capabilities, diversify products and increase competitiveness in advanced industrial markets.

The expansion is also set to deliver employment benefits. Workforce numbers are expected to double to around 100 direct employees, while generating additional opportunities across supporting industries and supply chains.

For Hamriyah Free Zone, the investment reinforces its position as a destination for high-value manufacturing projects. HFZA has continued to attract companies operating in advanced industrial sectors, particularly those aligned with the UAE’s ambitions to develop sustainable manufacturing capabilities and strengthen domestic industrial value chains.

According to Al Mazrouei, Shyam Steel’s decision to establish its first overseas manufacturing operation in Sharjah highlights the confidence international industrial groups place in the emirate’s business environment, infrastructure and strategic location.

For Shyam Steel, meanwhile, the new facility marks the beginning of a broader international growth story. According to Siddharth Beriwal, Director of Shyam Middle East FZC, the company selected Hamriyah Free Zone after assessing a range of factors, including its industrial ecosystem, investor-friendly policies and strong multimodal connectivity.

Direct access to port facilities, proximity to Sharjah International Airport and links to regional and international trade routes were all key considerations, creating a logistics platform capable of supporting both raw material sourcing and export operations.

Looking ahead, the company aims to establish the Sharjah facility as a regional centre for non-ferrous metal recycling and advanced alloy manufacturing. Investments in new technologies, international certifications and product development are expected to support customers in sectors ranging from automotive and electrical manufacturing to die-casting, engineering and aluminium extrusion.

As global supply chains continue to evolve, Shyam Steel’s Sharjah investment illustrates how manufacturers are increasingly using the UAE as a base to expand their international reach while tapping into growing demand for sustainable, value-added industrial materials.