Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), UAE, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Emirates Steel Arkan, one of the largest publicly listed companies in the iron and steel, building materials, and construction sector in the region. This collaboration aims to develop a pioneering project utilising green hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in the UAE’s energy-intensive steel industry.

Marking the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, this innovative project is currently under construction within the facilities of Emirates Steel Arkan in Abu Dhabi’s industrial city. Equipped with electrolyzers, the project will produce green iron, a highly sought-after product by global steel companies striving to achieve net-zero emission targets.

Scheduled to commence operations in early 2024, the facility will replace natural gas with green hydrogen for iron ore reduction, a critical step in the iron production process. This transition will not only contribute to emission reduction but also enhance the UAE’s steel sector’s competitiveness in the global market.

The steel industry accounts for approximately 7 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions, making its decarbonisation a crucial step towards achieving climate neutrality. This project aligns with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy, positioning the country as a leading producer of green hydrogen by 2031.

The upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP28), to be held in the UAE at the end of this month, will focus on the significance of innovative projects that contribute to emission reduction while accelerating progress and development.

Emirates Steel Arkan is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The company has made significant progress in reducing its carbon emission intensity and plans to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030. Masdar is a company that is dedicated to advancing carbon removal efforts and has a global presence with projects spanning over 40 countries. The company will have a prominent presence at the COP28 conference, where it will showcase its innovative projects, including its partnership with Emirates Steel Arkan.