DesertBoard, a leader in sustainable building materials in the Middle East, showcased its Palm Strand Board (PSB®) at the Saudi Wood Expo 2025. PSB® is manufactured from agricultural palm waste, an abundant regional resource. It offers a research-backed, sustainable solution to meet Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for eco-friendly building biomaterial.
Saudi Arabia produces over 300,000 tonnes of palm fronds annually. Because of this, PSB® directly supports Vision 2030’s goals to promote a circular economy, local manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. DesertBoard emphasizes turning waste into valuable biomaterials, creating economic and ecological benefits.
Kamal Farah, a director at DesertBoard, highlighted the opportunity palm waste presents. He explained that PSB® transforms overlooked biomass into low-carbon construction material. Additionally, it promotes local employment and environmentally responsible design solutions across the Kingdom.
The innovation behind PSB® is supported by a study from Abu Dhabi University, published in July 2025. Led by Dr. Omar Chaalal and Dr. Mai El-Basel, the research evaluated the material’s structural and thermal performance in desert climates. It was supported by university leadership, including President Professor Ghassan Aouad.
The study confirmed that PSB® exceeds benchmarks in durability, warping resistance, moisture, and heat resistance. In fact, Dr. Chaalal noted that PSB® performs well under high temperatures and is suitable for regional architecture. Dr. El-Basel added that it offers a practical, scalable, and culturally relevant building material.
DesertBoard’s biomaterial has already made an impact through the “On Weaving” prayer pavilion at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz Airport. What’s more, it exemplifies environmentally conscious architecture rooted in regional culture, with a forward-looking approach.
Furthermore, Kamal Farah emphasized that DesertBoard’s biomaterial solutions demonstrate how local resources can support sustainable, culturally resonant construction. The company aims to continue advancing regional biomaterials to promote low-carbon, circular building practices.
