Metal Park Launches Pay-as-you-grow Metals Ecosystem At KEZAD Abu Dhabi

Metal Park in KEZAD Abu Dhabi is now operational as a 450,000 sqm "pay-as-you-grow" metals ecosystem. Backed by AED430 million in investment, it introduces a scalable model for downstream metals companies, aiming to cut upfront capital needs and accelerate access to infrastructure, logistics, and specialised services.

The ecosystem operates across both the Free Zone and the Mainland within KEZAD, and is already in use. Its Production Hub, Storage Hub, and Business Centre are active, enabling 27 members to process metal on site with shared services and coordinated support across their daily operations.

The launch of Metal Park took place in the presence of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, also attended, alongside Abdullah Al Hameli and Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi and senior KEZAD Group and government officials.

During the event, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi said, "Metal Park represents a new chapter in industrial development at KEZAD. By enabling a pay-as-you-grow model, we are lowering barriers to entry, improving capital efficiency, and providing manufacturers with an industry-specific environment where infrastructure, logistics, and services work together from day one. This approach strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a competitive destination for advanced industrial investments, in line with the vision of our wise leadership in the UAE." The statement highlighted how the concept is expected to support industrial investors.

Explaining the strategy behind the complex, Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, said, "This is not about building another industrial zone. It is about creating an operating model where metals businesses can scale intelligently, supported by shared infrastructure, integrated logistics, and coordinated services that remove complexity from daily operations." The remarks underline the focus on scalable operations for metals manufacturers.

Metal Park replaces a traditional capital-heavy, fragmented industrial approach with a coordinated ecosystem. Companies can align their growth with actual demand, rather than committing to large assets early. Shared specialist capabilities, secure high-throughput storage, and integrated commercial and operational support together create a functioning industrial system designed for predictable performance.

Metal Park Abu Dhabi pay-as-you-grow metals ecosystem infrastructure

The facility’s logistics and transport backbone is enabled through KEZAD Group and AD Ports Group. This network links production, storage, and outbound distribution through integrated infrastructure. The arrangement aims to reduce bottlenecks along the value chain while improving throughput, reliability, and overall speed-to-market for metals manufacturers operating within the complex.

Operational design at Metal Park places emphasis on safety, efficiency, predictability, and sustainability. Processes aim to reduce manual handling and idle time while optimising energy consumption. Shared assets are used to avoid duplication and waste, supporting cost efficiency and aligning operational performance with environmental responsibility goals important to industrial clients and regulators.

Metal Park Abu Dhabi pay-as-you-grow metals ecosystem technology and economic impact

Technology supports the entire site, with Metal Park functioning as a digitally orchestrated platform. Members gain real-time visibility over operations, use seamless ordering tools, and benefit from coordinated internal logistics. This digital layer is intended to simplify daily workflows and support data-driven decision-making across production and distribution activities.

By enabling advanced manufacturing and supporting supply chain resilience, Metal Park contributes directly to the downstream metals sector. Its scalable, efficient model is also designed to attract industrial investment and support growth in the wider non-oil economy. With the pay-as-you-grow approach now live, the project signals that KEZAD Abu Dhabi intends to host a new model for metals manufacturing.

With inputs from WAM