UAE is turning desert sand into eco-friendly bricks, and the method cuts cement needed for construction to nearly half

Dubai is surrounded by dunes and for a country that has ample desert sand, one would think they would utilise it as a resource. However, the sand underfoot has long been a poor fit for ordinary concrete. Wind makes desert grains unusually fine, smooth, and rounded, so they do not interlock as easily as the rougher aggregate commonly drawn from rivers. But research from the University of Sharjah transforms desert sand into eco-friendly bricks, according to a report by EurekAlert! The November 2025 research was published in the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering and released in February 2026 by the university.

An abundant material

In the study, researchers including Dr Mohamad Arab and Professor Maher Omar combined desert sand collected in the Sharjah region with alkali-activated binders. This technology uses alkaline solutions to trigger chemical reactions capable of forming rigid structures, similar to a resistant mineral matrix.The formulation also incorporates industrial by-products, such as blast furnace slag and industrial ashes. The use of slag and industrial ashes expands the environmental interest of the research. These by-products, when reused in construction materials, can reduce waste and decrease the pressure for conventional raw materials. Instead of relying solely on Portland cement, the proposal makes advantage of materials that can gain new value within the construction industry, reducing the need for inputs with a higher environmental impact.One of the central points of the research is that the bricks were cured at room temperature. This means that the tested process does not require thermal curing or an oven, a step that could increase energy consumption and raise manufacturing costs.

Resistance to sulfates

The bricks underwent durability tests, including water absorption, wetting and drying cycles, efflorescence and sulfate exposure. According to the researchers, the performance met the ASTM standards cited in the study, used as an international reference for material quality and safety. “We also evaluated performance under aggressive chemical exposure and found that the alkali-activated desert sand bricks retained their integrity and, in key cases, outperformed cement-based bricks under sulfate attack. This matters in coastal and marine environments where sulfate-rich soils and groundwater can accelerate deterioration,” said Maher Omar, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Sharjah.Sulfate resistance is important because this type of chemical attack can damage construction materials in coastal and marine areas, or with soils and groundwater rich in this compound. In the reported tests, the desert sand bricks maintained integrity and, in some cases, outperformed cement-based bricks.Another point observed by the researchers was the lower water absorption. This indicator is relevant because excessive water ingress can compromise the durability of masonry materials over time, especially in aggressive environments. According to the team, the eco-friendly bricks demonstrated superior mechanical performance to conventional cement-based bricks in some of the tests. This result reinforces the hypothesis that desert sand can cease to be seen only as a problematic material and become part of more resistant technical solutions.

Portland cement has high emissions

Portland cement remains one of the most used materials in the world because it combines strength, durability, and wide availability. The problem is that its production has a high climate impact. According to the University of Sharjah’s statement, it is associated with up to 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The authors note that construction is “a major contributor to worldwide carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change,” consuming approximately 40% of global energy.The research does not claim that the new brick will replace cement in all constructions. What the study indicates is an alternative route to reduce dependence on Portland cement in masonry units, especially in places where desert sand is abundant and reusable industrial materials are available.

Industrial production a pipe dream

Despite the promising results, the technology is still in an experimental stage. The study shows feasibility in the laboratory, but real adoption depends on tests in larger units, pilot production, quality standardisation, and cost analysis. The researchers also plan to better quantify the environmental benefits and assess the manufacturing logistics. Industrial production will be the decisive test to know if the desert sand brick can compete with alternatives already established in the construction market.“The broader strategic goal is clear: developing building materials that are locally sourced, resilient in harsh environments, and aligned with sustainability objectives, without compromising performance,” said Omar. “We will also quantify the environmental benefits more clearly so we can identify the most practical and scalable pathway for industry adoption,” Prof. Omar maintained.