ArcelorMittal Projects To Launch Third Plant At Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah In 2026

ArcelorMittal Projects plans to open a third manufacturing plant in Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah, with operations due to start in 2026. The new facility will span 1.4 million square feet and expand steel pipe production and specialised coating capacity, strengthening the company’s regional supply to energy and infrastructure projects.

Once the additional plant is completed, ArcelorMittal Projects’ total land allocation in Hamriyah Free Zone will increase to around 5 million square feet. This expansion supports wider industrial growth in the UAE and is expected to reinforce Hamriyah Free Zone’s role as an international base for large industrial investors and export-focused manufacturers.

The expansion plans were outlined during a site visit by Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, and a group of senior officials. The delegation met with Johannes De Schrijver, CEO of ArcelorMittal Projects, and other executives, who presented current operations and future investment stages within the zone.

Al Mazrouei toured existing production assets operating under phases one and two, including pipe mills and coating units. The visit also covered advanced inspection and testing areas that handle ultrasonic testing, pressure testing and radiographic testing, alongside an internationally accredited laboratory that applies globally recognised procedures to verify product performance and quality.

Since establishing operations in Hamriyah Free Zone five years ago, ArcelorMittal Projects has built two HSAW pipe mills, two external coating lines of 18 metres each, and an 18-metre internal coating line. The Sharjah site also houses customised coating services and specialised testing systems designed to address rising industrial demand across regional markets.

The next project phase introduces a new plant dedicated to higher production volumes and greater coating capabilities. This facility is planned to support growing orders from regional and international clients, especially in energy and infrastructure, while improving operational efficiency and strengthening supply reliability for large-scale engineering projects.

Saud Salim Al Mazrouei stated that ArcelorMittal Projects’ decision reflects the zone’s appeal to large industrial players. "ArcelorMittal Projects’ investments in Hamriyah Free Zone were driven by HFZA’s attractiveness as a preferred destination for leading global industrial companies, given the integrated operational environment and competitive advantages it offers to support business growth and expansion."

Al Mazrouei linked the project to national industrial policy objectives. "ArcelorMittal’s expansion aligns perfectly with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and will contribute to strengthening value chains linked to the energy and infrastructure sectors by enhancing specialised steel solution capabilities." This, Al Mazrouei said, supports Hamriyah Free Zone’s role as a launchpad for firms serving wider markets.

Al Mazrouei also remarked that ongoing expansion by global manufacturers inside Hamriyah Free Zone signals strong trust in Sharjah’s investment climate. According to Al Mazrouei, the free zone supports economic diversification and helps increase the manufacturing sector’s share in overall output, while the authority continues upgrading services and facilities to meet investor expectations.

Hamriyah Free Zone and ArcelorMittal Projects regional markets

The Director underlined that Hamriyah Free Zone benefits from a strategic geographic position and direct access to a commercial port with 14-metre depth. This port connection supports efficient import and export activity, while modern infrastructure, logistics services and business-ready facilities help companies reach key regional and global markets with fewer operational constraints.

Johannes De Schrijver explained that the expansion programme forms part of a long-term plan to build a stronger industrial base in the Middle East. The additional capacity is intended to support major energy and infrastructure projects that involve complex technical standards, which require specialised pipe manufacturing and coating expertise delivered at scale.

De Schrijver noted that ArcelorMittal Projects continues to invest in modernising its operations and raising output to meet project needs. The company focuses on specialised industrial solutions that follow international benchmarks for quality and technical performance. These upgrades are designed to position the Sharjah site as a key contributor to regional project supply chains.

De Schrijver added that the free zone’s industrial infrastructure and integrated logistics and administrative framework are central to expansion decisions. These features help the company access a broad customer base using cost-efficient operations, while maintaining flexible production schedules and stable performance indicators across regional and international markets.

Hamriyah Free Zone has developed as a major base for heavy industries connected to steel value chains, which represent one of its main industrial pillars. The zone attracts a significant portion of foreign direct investment into Sharjah and hosts many multinational and international companies that use its infrastructure and connectivity to serve customers worldwide.

ArcelorMittal Projects’ upcoming plant, scheduled to start operations in 2026, adds to this industrial cluster and increases the company’s total footprint in Hamriyah Free Zone. The development supports national industrial targets, consolidates Sharjah’s position in steel-related value chains and offers additional capacity for regional energy and infrastructure projects that rely on reliable steel pipe supplies.

With inputs from WAM