EMSTEEL supplies hydrogen rebar to Aldar for Abu Dhabi’s net-zero mosque

Abu Dhabi, UAE – August 25, 2025 - In a regional first, EMSTEEL has successfully delivered hydrogen-based rebar for the construction of Abu Dhabi’s first net-zero carbon mosque, located in Sustainable City on Yas Island. The delivery makes Aldar the inaugural developer in the MENA region to adopt low-emissions hydrogen-based steel, setting a precedent for future projects across the region.

Green Hydrogen Steel Innovation

The rebar supplied by EMSTEEL was produced using green hydrogen technology, stemming from the company’s pilot project launched last year in partnership with Masdar. This innovation reduces carbon emissions in steel production by replacing conventional fossil fuels with hydrogen, thereby cutting one of the construction industry’s largest sources of embodied carbon.

The use of this pioneering material is critical to ensuring that the mosque achieves LEED Zero Carbon certification, a first-of-its-kind milestone for religious and community infrastructure in the UAE.

Industry Leadership and Climate Goals

Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, highlighted the significance of the achievement:

“This landmark delivery reinforces EMSTEEL’s commitment to driving industrial sustainability and accelerating the UAE’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In collaboration with Aldar, EMSTEEL is setting a powerful precedent for the adoption of green steel across future residential, commercial, and public infrastructure projects.

The partnership signals a bold shift in the construction industry, emphasising the role of innovative, locally manufactured materials in achieving national climate goals and redefining the future of urban development.”

Aldar’s Role in Sustainable Development

The adoption of hydrogen-based steel underscores Aldar’s position as a leader in sustainable development within the UAE. As the country’s largest listed developer, Aldar has consistently sought to align its real estate portfolio with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. By incorporating green rebar into this landmark mosque, Aldar demonstrates how traditional architecture and cutting-edge sustainable materials can coexist in ways that advance both heritage and innovation.

The mosque itself, beyond being a place of worship, will stand as a living symbol of climate-conscious design, combining faith, culture, and sustainability.

Wider Implications for the Region

The introduction of hydrogen-based rebar represents more than a single project milestone. It signals the emergence of a new market for low-carbon building materials across the Middle East and North Africa. With construction contributing a significant share of global carbon emissions, the adoption of hydrogen-based steel could play a transformative role in the regional push toward decarbonised cities.

Experts believe this achievement will inspire other developers, contractors, and governments to consider green steel solutions for housing, infrastructure, and megaprojects currently underway across the Gulf.

A Milestone in Sustainable Urbanism

Abu Dhabi’s Sustainable City, Yas Island, already serves as a model for integrating renewable energy, water conservation, and eco-friendly building practices into urban planning. The addition of the net-zero carbon mosque, powered by hydrogen-based materials, strengthens the city’s role as a blueprint for sustainable communities in the region.

This partnership between EMSTEEL, Aldar, and Masdar highlights how innovation and collaboration can fast-track the construction industry’s contribution to the UAE’s long-term environmental objectives.