Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI) has reported a verified cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of 139 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) per tonne for its Abu Dhabi-produced reinforcing steel, highlighting progress in reducing the environmental impact of construction materials in the UAE.
The UAE’s largest private steelmaker and recycler announced the results at the headquarters of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group). The announcement was attended by Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group; Asam Hussain, Founder and CEO of AGSI; and Ayhan Tugrul, Chief Operating Officer of CARES.
AGSI recorded a carbon footprint of 139 kg CO₂e per tonne for rebar produced in Abu Dhabi and 218 kg CO₂e per tonne at its Sharjah operations. Both results are below the nearest comparable publicly available Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) figure of 300 kg CO₂e per tonne. They are also lower than the typical 600–700 kg CO₂e per tonne associated with scrap-based rebar, according to the company’s announcement.
The figures have been independently verified against recognised international standards through the CARES EPD programme. The assessments cover the production process from raw materials to the factory gate. The corresponding Environmental Product Declarations are available on the CARES website. Comparisons between EPDs require consistent assessment rules, measurement methods and production boundaries.
Independent Verification Supports Carbon Reporting
The verified results provide construction industry stakeholders with product-specific data to assess embodied carbon, which refers to greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials across their life cycles. Developers, contractors, consultants and regulators increasingly rely on such information when evaluating materials for construction and infrastructure projects.
Asam Hussain, Founder and CEO of AGSI, said, “This is a defining achievement for AGSI and for the UAE steel industry. Low-carbon steel production is no longer a future ambition. It is measurable, verified and being delivered today. Our 2024 carbon-neutral plant milestone established the direction of our journey, and this EPD takes that progress further, setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved in low-carbon steel production. We set out to push the boundaries for steel decarbonisation, and we will continue to challenge what is possible.”
Abdullah Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Cities and Free Zones at AD Ports Group, added, “AGSI’s achievement is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector, establishing the company as a world leader in steel decarbonisation and adding to Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global hub for advanced industry. It’s a strong example of the level of performance that manufacturers operating within KEZAD can achieve. KEZAD provides the infrastructure, utilities, logistics access and long-term operating base that manufacturers need to grow and invest. AGSI’s success highlights the strength of Abu Dhabi’s industrial base in enabling companies to advance efficient and lower-carbon production and compete at the highest levels internationally.”
Ayhan Tugrul, Chief Operating Officer of CARES, also added, “AGSI’s reinforcing steel is already certified to the CARES scheme for quality and traceability, and this independently verified EPD now sets out its product carbon footprint on the same rigorous basis. Verified, product-specific data of this kind is what allows designers, contractors and asset owners to make sound decisions on embodied carbon rather than relying on generic industry averages. It also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a growing centre for advanced industrial production and lower-carbon construction materials.”
Recycled Materials and Electrified Manufacturing
AGSI’s latest results build on its 2024 carbon-neutral plant milestone under PAS 2060. The company uses 100% locally recycled scrap and a fully electrified production process. Its reported figures extend the assessment of environmental performance from the manufacturing facility to the reinforcing steel itself.
The verified Low-Carbon Rebar provides construction buyers in the UAE with a locally produced material supported by documented carbon performance, quality certification and traceability. Environmental Product Declarations also offer a consistent framework for comparing products when the same assessment rules and boundaries are applied.
AGSI’s Low-Carbon Rebar achievement adds to Abu Dhabi’s industrial manufacturing portfolio, demonstrating how recycled raw materials, electrified production and independently verified environmental data can contribute to the supply of construction materials with documented carbon footprints.