The United Arab Emirates is turning desert sand into eco-friendly bricks and the method reduces the cement needed for construction by almost half.

Dubai is surrounded by dunes and for a country that has a lot of desert sand, you would think they would use it as a resource. However, sand underfoot has long been unsuitable for ordinary concrete. The wind makes desert grains unusually fine, smooth and rounded, so they do not interlock as easily as the rougher aggregate commonly mined from rivers. But research from the University of Sharjah transforms desert sand into ecological bricks, according to a report by EurekAlert. The November 2025 research was published in the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering and was published by the university in February 2026.

Abundant material

In the study, researchers such as 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 ash. The use of industrial slag and ash broadens the environmental interest of the research. These byproducts, when reused in construction materials, can reduce waste and ease pressure on conventional raw materials. Instead of relying solely on Portland cement, the proposal takes advantage of materials that can gain new value within the construction industry, reducing the need for inputs with greater environmental impact.One of the central points of the investigation is that the bricks were cured at room temperature. This means that the tested process does not require thermal or oven curing, a step that could increase energy consumption and raise manufacturing costs.

Sulfate resistance

The bricks underwent durability testing, 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 the quality and safety of materials. “We also evaluated performance under aggressive chemical exposure and found that alkali-activated desert sand bricks retained their integrity and, in key cases, outperformed cement-based bricks under sulfate attack. This is important in coastal and marine environments where sulphate-rich soils and groundwater can accelerate deterioration,” said Maher Omar, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Sharjah.Resistance to sulfates 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 reported tests, desert sand bricks maintained their integrity and, in some cases, outperformed cement-based bricks.Another point observed by the researchers was the lower absorption of water. 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-bricks demonstrated superior mechanical performance than conventional cement-based bricks in some of the tests. This result reinforces the hypothesis that desert sand can no longer be seen only as a problematic material and can become part of more resistant technical solutions.

Portland cement has high emissions

Portland cement continues to be 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 a statement from the University of Sharjah, it is associated with up to 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The authors note that construction is “a major contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and climate change,” consuming approximately 40% of global energy.The research does not pretend that the new brick will replace cement in all constructions. What the study indicates is an alternative route to reduce reliance on Portland cement in masonry units, especially in locations where desert sand is abundant and reusable industrial materials are available.

Industrial production is a chimera

Despite promising results, the technology is still in an experimental stage. The study shows feasibility in the laboratory, but actual adoption depends on testing in larger units, pilot production, quality standardization and cost analysis. The researchers also plan to better quantify environmental benefits and evaluate manufacturing logistics. Industrial production will be the decisive test of whether desert sand brick can compete with alternatives already established in the construction market.“The broader strategic objective is clear: to develop locally sourced building materials, resilient in harsh environments and aligned with sustainability goals, without compromising performance,” Omar said. “We will also quantify the environmental benefits more clearly so that we can identify the most practical and scalable path to industrial adoption,” said Professor Omar.