NOVEMBER-DECEMBER . 2023

Desert Board emphasises the potential to decarbonise the construction industry and its positive environmental impact

Kamal Farah

BY SHEILA ROZARIO

One such company , Desert Board , is leading the charge in creating ecoconscious construction materials that are both environmentally friendly and versatile .

Desert Board Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) Kamal Farah shared insights into their revolutionary board production process , emphasising its potential to decarbonise the construction industry and its positive environmental impact .

Desert Board has roots in a unique source of inspiration – the palm tree fronds in abundance across the UAE .

Farah explained : “ We ’ re recycling these fronds to make a board . In doing that , we ’ re not cutting down trees . We ’ re converting nature-based waste into wooden boards equivalent to industry-standard OSB threegrade boards .”

These boards , known as PSB Boards ( Palm Strand Boards ), have impressive applications . They can be used to build

houses , create furniture , and even form structural elements like I-beams . The versatility of desert boards is a testament to their quality and performance . Additionally , the boards are non-carcinogenic , ensuring the health and well-being of those who come into contact with them .

A GREEN PRODUCTION PROCESS

Desert Board ’ s source and entire production process set it apart from traditional construction materials . Farah emphasised the company ’ s commitment to environmental consciousness :

“ In production , we ’ re getting relatively low carbon electricity from solar , nuclear and gas . And we ’ re also using the sawdust generated from the production process to run the plant with it . Doing this can reduce waste and carbon footprint in manufacturing these Palm Strand Boards .”

This commitment to renewable energy and closed-loop production exemplifies Desert Board ’ s dedication to minimising its environmental footprint . By reusing the byproducts of their manufacturing process , the company is reducing waste and making optimal use of available resources .

One of the most remarkable aspects of Desert Board is its role in decarbonising the construction environment .

“ Every year , palm trees drop seven to 14 palm fronds . By using these fronds to create PSB boards , we ’ re not only reducing waste but also preventing the release of carbon and methane ( from landfilling ) into the atmosphere and minimising the need to cut down more trees .”

Desert boards exhibit an impressive carbon sequestration potential . With one ton of methane that would derive from the landfilling of biomass equating to 25-plus tonnes of carbon dioxide , the product emerges as a notable carbon sink . The CO2 sequestered by the biogenic carbon contained in the material is higher than the carbon footprint of production .

A recent LCA identified that the boards are carbon sinks with a net benefit of sequestering about 480g CO2e per m3 of manufactured board . This quality makes desert boards substantially contribute to climate change mitigation and reducing carbon emissions .

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

The benefits of desert boards go beyond environmental conservation .

“ We ’ re in an environment where we have to import a lot of boards to make formwork for shuttering , furniture , and other construction elements . With PSB , we have a local , sustainable material that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of importing these materials .”

This local production helps the environment , creates jobs , and stimulates the local economy . Desert Board ’ s formaldehydefree boards reduce indoor air pollution and contribute to achieving well-building certification , which is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry .

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

While Desert Board presents a promising solution for the construction industry and environmental conservation , it has been challenging .

Farah acknowledged : “ Bringing a new product into the market is full of challenges . People are often hesitant to adopt new material . Working with palm fronds can also be challenging due to their unique properties .”

Despite the hurdles , Desert Board has persevered and continuously improved its production processes to meet industry standards and expectations . Their dedica-