Iran Metafo is a specialized event covering the entire metallurgy chain, from mining and raw materials to finished steel products. The exhibition’s dedicated sectors included Steel (Steelexpo), Non-Ferrous Metals (Noferexpo), Casting, Moulding, Forging, and Machining (Castexpo), and Mining and Mineral Industries Projects (Minexpo). Held at the Tehran International Exhibition Site, the event has cemented its position as a regional reference point for the metallurgy industry due to its cohesive thematic structure and high level of company participation. The four-day period provided a valuable opportunity for specialized visits, commercial negotiations, and the formal presentation of products and technologies.
Mobarakeh Steel Group (MSG) and other leading companies at Metafo have focused their strategies on the foundational pillars of the industry’s future. This strategy includes emphasizing low-carbon technologies, minimizing pollution, and enhancing environmental standards throughout the chain to achieve Green Steel and sustainability. Furthermore, the industry is pursuing advanced steel production and cold-rolled products for strategic domestic and export markets, aiming for high value-added products. The integration of smart technologies in procurement, production, and supply chain management—under the banner of digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—is also a key priority for increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This focus on innovation and efficiency demonstrates the industry’s commitment to advancing awareness of environmental standards and low-carbon technologies.
The main objectives of this year’s edition included providing a platform to showcase the latest products and technologies in metallurgy, steel, and mineral industries; supporting domestic producers and enhancing regional and global competitiveness; facilitating B2B and B2C contracts, developing cooperation with foreign companies, and attracting investment; and presenting and exchanging results of academic and industrial research through presentations and specialized forums.
Mohammad Atabak, Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, affirmed the dynamism of the event and emphasized the high quality and increased international presence: “This year’s Metafo Metallurgy Exhibition is one of the country’s most vibrant and high-quality events, hosting over 700 domestic companies and 110 foreign participants. It is particularly noteworthy that the number of foreign companies has increased compared to last year. Regarding sanctions, I must say that they have not had a significant impact on our industry so far; however, it is still too early to claim there will be no consequences.”
The presence of Mobarakeh Steel Group (MSG), the largest steel producer in Iran and the Middle East, with vast development projects and performance data announcements, was a focal point of the exhibition. This industrial group is executing projects valued at over seven billion dollars across various infrastructure and steel-related sectors. The company’s advanced products are vital for Iran’s industrial and export markets, demonstrating its resilience and innovation despite global challenges.
Saeid Zarandi, CEO of Mobarakeh Steel Group, detailed the group’s strategy for successfully overcoming the global recession: He noted that MSG is currently executing projects valued at over seven billion dollars in various infrastructure and steel-related sectors. He told the Russia Today (RT) correspondent: “In 2024, the world faced a recession in steel production and consumption; a phenomenon that occurs approximately once every ten years. To successfully navigate this situation, the group is strengthening export relations and technological cooperation with countries with which effective communication is possible. These efforts have continuously progressed in recent years. Despite sanctions and international challenges, exports did not halt. Although financial restrictions made transactions difficult, they did not impede the group’s progress. Utilizing diverse and innovative methods led to export growth, such that in the first six months of the current year, the volume of exports increased by more than 120% compared to the same period last year.” This astounding 120% export growth, despite financial constraints, highlights the operational and innovative model of this industrial giant in confronting international challenges. Zarandi also emphasized the group’s determination to maintain its position among the world’s top 10 steel producers.
Operationally, Iran’s steel sector, which ranks among the world’s top 10 steel producers with nearly 15 million tonnes of output in the first half of 2025, strengthens its crucial role in the country’s industrial economy and non-oil exports. Companies like Hormozgan Steel (HOSCO), with its coastal location and export strategy, also recorded a 10% increase in export volume and a 25% rise in production. Discussions at Metafo underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEAU) and leveraging reduced tariffs to boost non-oil exports, signaling the strategic significance of the steel and petrochemical sectors in Iran’s overall economic planning.
This strategic approach, combined with new free trade agreements with the EEAU, prepares the ground for boosting non-oil exports and securing Iran’s strategic position in global markets. Furthermore, the diverse product offering at the exhibition confirms that Metafo is not only a showcase for final goods but also a platform for the complete supply chain, encompassing raw materials, equipment, and engineering services.
In summary, the 22nd Metafo served as a testament to Iran’s industrial strength against the toughest economic and geopolitical conditions. This event is not just a trade display, but a platform for industry collaboration, emphasizing the reality that Iran’s steel chain, relying on innovation and targeted development, is continuously growing and establishing its place on the global map instead of weakening.
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