EMSTEEL Group, the UAE’s largest publicly listed steel and building materials manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tadweer Group, a leading provider of waste management and recycling services in Abu Dhabi, to explore the use of alternative fuels and raw materials for producing green building materials.
The collaboration reflects both companies’ commitment to sustainability and the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
The MOU outlines plans to integrate Tadweer’s production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and processed Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) into EMSTEEL’s manufacturing facilities, including the Al Ain Cement Plant and Emirates Block Factory.
By harnessing waste materials as inputs, the initiative aims to reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions, and advance the production of environmentally friendly construction materials.
Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, CEO of EMSTEEL Group, underscored the significance of this partnership for sustainable manufacturing practices: “As the UAE’s largest building materials manufacturer and the world’s first steel company to decarbonize production, we are proud to partner with Tadweer Group to further embed circular economy principles in our operations. This collaboration allows us to advance a resource-efficient production process that not only supports the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy but also positions us as leaders in sustainable industrial innovation.”
The partnership aligns with both companies’ broader objectives of fostering environmentally responsible manufacturing and construction practices in the UAE. Through Tadweer’s waste-derived materials, EMSTEEL aims to integrate alternative fuel sources that reduce dependency on conventional energy inputs, a key step in decarbonizing the industrial sector.
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group, commented on the collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with EMSTEEL Group as we accelerate our efforts toward a sustainable future. Tadweer is committed to transforming waste into valuable resources and advancing the circular economy. By working with forward-thinking organizations, we’re reshaping the UAE’s construction and manufacturing landscape and moving closer to our goal of diverting 80% of Abu Dhabi’s waste from landfills.”
The agreement includes feasibility studies, knowledge exchange initiatives, and opportunities to explore innovative methods for using alternative fuels and materials. EMSTEEL Group’s facilities will conduct trials using RDF and CDW to assess the potential for these materials to replace conventional fuels and raw materials in cement and building block production.
The collaboration highlights EMSTEEL’s continued efforts to promote low-carbon manufacturing across its supply chain. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EMSTEEL builds on a legacy of more than 25 years in the construction sector, where it has pioneered the development of sustainable building materials and practices. The company’s dedication to carbon reduction has positioned it as a leader in the region’s green industrial transformation.
For Tadweer Group, this MOU is part of a wider strategy to expand its sustainable waste management solutions locally and internationally. The company has been increasing its portfolio of environmental services by establishing new subsidiaries and forming global partnerships aimed at embedding circular economy practices into its operations. Tadweer’s goal of diverting 80% of waste from Abu Dhabi’s landfills represents a significant shift in how the UAE handles waste, underscoring the importance of sustainable resource management.
The partnership between EMSTEEL and Tadweer is expected to support broader environmental objectives within the UAE and potentially serve as a model for sustainable building practices across the region. If successful, this initiative could set new standards for waste-to-energy conversions in manufacturing, helping to alleviate waste disposal pressures and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
The collaboration between EMSTEEL and Tadweer represents a significant step forward in decarbonizing the building materials industry. By transforming waste into valuable raw materials and fuel sources, the two companies aim to drive resource efficiency and make substantial contributions to the UAE’s environmental and economic resilience.
