Leading Dubai suppliers: Aakash Steel Mart, Blue Rhine, RMT Dubai, EMSTEEL, RJ Steel.
The Saudi Arabian carbon steel plate market in 2025 offers a wide grade spectrum—from mild (A36/S235JR) to pressure‑vessel quality (A515/A516). Plate prices typically range between SAR 2,200–3,600 per ton (≈ USD 590–960), depending on grade, thickness, origin, and rolling technique.
1. Dubai Carbon Steel Plate Market Overview & Future Outlook
I’ve monitored this sector for years. Dubai’s demand for carbon steel plates mirrors its rapid urbanization and infrastructure expansion. In 2024, the UAE’s flat-steel consumption hit nearly 3.2 million tonnes, with Dubai accounting for roughly 35% of that volume . Growth drivers include high-rise construction, industrial parks (Jebel Ali Free Zone), and the Dubai Metro extension projects.
Over the next decade, moderate 4–6% annual growth is expected in the Dubai plate market, propelled by Expo-site redevelopments, green hydrogen hubs, and shipyard expansions. Pressure-vessel grades (A515/A516) will see stronger uptake—projected to grow at 7% CAGR—as petrochemical, water treatment, and power plants commission new equipment .
Meanwhile, sustainability mandates (UAE Energy Strategy 2050) and rising scrap-metal costs will introduce price volatility. Producers may pass on higher energy and raw-material costs, but efficiencies in EAF (electric-arc furnace) recycling could mitigate spikes. Overall, the Dubai carbon steel plate sector is poised for robust, yet stable, expansion through 2035.
2. Profiles of Top 5 Dubai Suppliers & Their Reach
1. Aakash Steel Mart
Based in Jebel Ali, with warehouses in Al Quoz. Supplies ASTM A36, A516, EN S235JR plates. Offers cutting, drilling, and profiling services .
2. Blue Rhine
Operates from Al Quoz Industrial Area. Specializes in mild and medium-carbon plates (ASTM A36, A572, S355J2). Provides online ordering and just-in-time delivery .
3. RMT Dubai
Located in Jebel Ali Port Free Zone. Stocks A36, A515, A516, A572 plates. Known for export-grade packaging and mill-certified reports .
4. EMSTEEL
Factory and stockyard in Al Quoz and Mussafah. Produces heavy gauge plates (6–150 mm), including custom-alloy grades. Reported AED 2.6 billion in Q1 2025 revenue .
5. RJ Steel
Warehouse in Al Quoz. Offers S235JR and A36 plates in thin gauge (2–50 mm). Caters to sheet-metal fabricators and light engineering shops .
Each supplier maintains local stock for rapid delivery (1–2 weeks). They also partner with Chinese and Indian mills for replenishment stock (30–45 day lead times).
3. Price & Product Comparison of Top 5 Suppliers
| Supplier | Grades Available | Rolling Type | Thickness (mm) | Price Range (AED/tonne) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aakash Steel | A36, A516, S235JR | Hot & Cold | 3–100 | 2,900–4,200 |
| Blue Rhine | A36, A572, S355J2 | Hot-rolled | 5–80 | 3,100–3,900 |
| RMT Dubai | A36, A515, A516, A572 | Hot & Cold | 4–100 | 3,000–4,500 |
| EMSTEEL | A36, A516, Custom | Hot-rolled | 6–150 | 3,200–4,600 |
| RJ Steel | A36, S235JR | Hot & Cold | 2–50 | 3,000–4,000 |
– A36/S235JR: General structural use, cost-effective.
– A515/A516: Pressure vessels, boilers (requires tested mechanical properties).
– A572/S355J2: High-strength, low-alloy applications.
– Custom grades: Alloyed steels per client request (e.g., corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant).
4. Dubai vs China, USA & India – Price Benchmarking
| Origin | Grade | Price (USD/ton CFR Dubai) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | A36/S235JR | 790–1,140 | Includes local handling, fast delivery (1–2 weeks) |
| China | A36/S235JR | 600–900 | +10% shipping & duties, 30-45 day lead |
| India | A36/A572 | 650–950 | 30-40 day delivery + customs duty |
| USA | A36/A516 | 1,100–1,500 | High-grade, strict mill tests, longer logistics |
Chinese mills undercut local by ~20–25% before logistics. Indian mills close behind. US plates excel on certification but cost 30–40% more due to freight and stringent testing.
5. Why Source from Chinese OEM “Luokaiwei”?
In my sourcing projects, Luokaiwei Special Steel (Shanxi province) proved exceptional:
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Factory prices: USD 550–700/tonne CFR Dubai—15–25% below local distributors.
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OEM flexibility: Custom plate dimensions, edge conditioning, branded packaging.
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Quick turnaround: 20–30 days to ship with complete MTC (mill test certificates).
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Global certifications: ISO 9001, CE marking, ASTM (A36/A515/A516/A572) compliance .
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Value-added services: Shot blasting, galvanizing, level-1 UT testing, third-party inspection.
For large infrastructure or manufacturing projects in Dubai, Luokaiwei delivers both cost-savings and full traceability.
6. Case Study: Luokaiwei Plates for Dubai Metro Extension
Project: Dubai Metro Route 2025 Extension – structural steel support plates
Requirement: ASTM A36, 8–30 mm, shot-blasted, primer-coated, 500 t
Local Bid: Aakash Steel – AED 3,800/tonne, 6-week lead
Luokaiwei Bid: USD 620/tonne CFR, equivalent finish, 30-35 day delivery
Outcome:
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Cost saving ~USD 80,000
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Delivered in 33 days from purchase order
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Passed Dubai Municipality engineering tests (UT, tensile, hardness)
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Approved as prequalified vendor for subsequent phases
This example underscores the viability of Chinese OEM sourcing even for critical urban rail infrastructure.
7. Key Criteria for Selecting Carbon Steel Plate Suppliers
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Grade & Certifications
Confirm ASTM/EN grade, MTC, and third-party inspection reports (SGS, TUV). -
Plate Specifications
Hot-rolled vs cold-rolled, thickness tolerance (±0.5 mm), flatness (≤1.5 mm/m). -
Surface Preparation
Options: shot-blasted (Sa 2.5), galvanizing (ISO 1461), primer (ISO 12944). -
Logistics & Lead Time
Local stock (1–2 weeks) vs imports (30–45 days + customs). Align with project schedule. -
OEM & Customization
Branding, edge‐conditioning, packaging—benefit large volume buyers. -
Value-Added Services
Cutting, profiling, UT testing, coating application—streamline supply chain. -
Total Cost of Ownership
Evaluate purchase price, freight, duties, finishing, handling, and installation.
FAQs – Common Questions
Q1: Which grade of carbon steel plate suits general construction in Dubai?
For beams, columns, and general structures, ASTM A36 (EN S235JR) is most common. It provides good weldability and tensile strength (≥ 400 MPa) at an economical price .
Q2: How should I plan for delivery lead times?
If you order from local stockists, expect 1–2 weeks for delivery in Dubai. Imported plates require 30–45 days production plus 3–5 days customs clearance. Always build in buffer time for quality checks.
Q3: Are Chinese-made plates reliable for critical infrastructure?
Yes—provided they carry valid MTC, adhere to ASTM/EN standards, and pass third-party inspections (e.g., SGS, TUV). Case studies, like the Dubai Metro example, confirm their reliability when properly vetted.
Q4: What surface finish prevents corrosion in coastal environments?
Shot-blasted followed by zinc-rich primer and polyurethane topcoat per ISO 12944 is recommended for coastal applications. Hot-dip galvanizing (ISO 1461) offers the highest corrosion resistance.
Q5: How do price fluctuations affect budgeting?
Plate prices closely track scrap steel and coke/petcoke costs. Expect monthly swings of ±5–7%. Use forward contracts or fixed-price purchase agreements to stabilize budgets.
