Emirates Steel expands capacity to 2.8M MTPA

 Abu Dhabi's largest steel producer Emirates Steel has commissioned Phase 2A of its expansion program, 33 months after the launch of its construction activities. The Phase 2A, which consists of a 1.6 million MTPA direct reduction plant (DRP) and a 1.4 million MTPA steel making plant (SMP), has significantly increased the company's DRI (direct reduced iron) capacity to 3.2 million MTPA and steelmaking capacity to 2.8 million MTPA. This elevated Emirates Steel to become one of the largest DRI producers in the Middle East region.

In January 2006, the company launched a two-phased expansion program worth US＄ 2.45 billion. Phase 1 was completed in June 2009 at a cost of US＄816 million, increasing its rolling output capacity from 750,000 tonnes to 2.1 million MTPA.

Phase 2 DRP and SMP, which are twin plants of Phase 1 assets, were commissioned on schedule in March 2011. The casters of Phase 1 and Phase 2A are different. The second produces beam blanks, which will eventually provide feedstock to Phase 2B's one million MTPA heavy sections mill (RM4), is due to be commissioned towards the end of 2011. Before RM4 becomes operational, Phase 2A's continuous casting machine (CCM) will produce billets that will be rolled in the existing bar and wire rod mills of Phase 1.