Morocco is solidifying its presence in the regional steel industry by emerging as one of the top steel producers in the Arab world, according to a recent report from the Energy Research Unit (ERU), a research center based in Washington. The Kingdom boasts an operational production capacity of 3.32 million tons annually, entirely reliant on electric arc furnace technology, which is recognized for being more sustainable and less polluting compared to traditional coal-dependent methods. These figures position Morocco among the five largest Arab producers, reinforcing its industrial weight in North Africa.
The ERU report highlights that the Arab steel industry currently exceeds a combined annual capacity of 59 million tons. Egypt leads the regional rankings with 15.6 million tons, followed by Saudi Arabia with 12 million tons and Algeria with 8.7 million tons annually. The United Arab Emirates ranks fourth with 5.1 million tons, while Morocco rounds out the group of regional leaders with its 3.32 million tons, surpassing countries such as Oman, Iraq, and Qatar. The top ten Arab producers account for approximately 2.7% of the global steel production capacity, which is estimated at 2.216 billion tons per year.
Furthermore, Moroccan production is notable for its focus on 'green steel,' as nearly 90% of the national steel is derived from the recycling of scrap metal. The sector has developed an installed capacity that exceeds domestic demand, enabling the country to pursue an export strategy aimed at markets in Europe, Africa, and the United States. According to the ERU, the global growth of electric arc furnaces confirms a progressive transition towards a more sustainable steel industry, in a market still dominated by China, which accounts for nearly half of the world's steel production capacity.
As reported by marruecom.com.
