Booming construction supports Emirate I&S expansion
Abu Dhabi's Emirates Iron and Steel Factory continues its backward integration into steel making, in an effort to reach self sufficiency in billets. Mr.Mohammad Tahir Al-Hamadi told the Middle Eastern Steel Conference in Dubai today that; the company imports almost 1 million tons of billets today and produces about 700,000 tons of reinforcing bars. The first phase of the integration project will also add 620,000 tpy of reinforcing bar and 480,000 tpy of wire rod capacity for the mill. Most of the new capacity will be directed to small sizes. After the completion of phase two, the capacity will reach 1.94 million tpy of rebars and 480,000 tpy of wire rods. Mr. Al-Hamadi estimates the current steel consumption in the UAE as 3 million tons this year. Given the fact that construction is booming in the UAE and expected to remain strong, the company is looking ahead with strong ambitions in domestic market.