Desert sand, previously discarded for being too smooth for concrete, becomes an ecological brick in the United Arab Emirates, dispensing with Portland cement, curing at room temperature, and attempting to transform dunes useless for construction into raw material for a new arid engineering.

Written by Valdemar Medeiros

Published on 15/06/2026 at 15:56

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Researchers from the United Arab Emirates have transformed desert sand into eco-friendly bricks that harden without kilns and reduce dependence on Portland cement.

For decades, desert sand was considered a paradox in construction. Although it covers vast areas of countries like the United Arab Emirates, it has always been seen as unsuitable for conventional concrete and mortar because its grains are excessively smooth and rounded, making it difficult to achieve the necessary adhesion to form strong structures. This limitation forced many desert countries to import huge volumes of sand from other regions to supply the construction sector.

Now, researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates claim to have found a solution to this historical problem. The team has developed bricks made from desert sand and alkali-activated binders, creating a material capable of hardening at room temperature and reducing dependence on Portland cement, one of the most environmentally impactful materials in modern construction.

Why desert sand has always been rejected by construction

Construction relies on mineral aggregates to produce concrete, mortar, and blocks. In general, the sand used comes from rivers, quarries, or specific deposits because it has more angular grains that fit better in the mix.

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How scientists transformed dunes into eco-friendly bricks

To overcome this limitation, the researchers used sand collected in the Sharjah region and combined it with alkali-activated binders, known internationally as Alkali-Activated Binders (AABs).

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates transformed desert sand into ecological bricks that harden without kilns and reduce dependence on Portland cement. — Desert sand, once discarded for being too smooth for concrete, becomes an ecological brick

According to the study published in the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, these binders use alkaline solutions to trigger chemical reactions that form solid rock-like structures. Unlike traditional Portland cement, the system can also incorporate industrial by-products such as blast furnace slag and industrial ashes.

One of the most relevant aspects of the technology is that the bricks harden at room temperature, eliminating the need for thermal curing processes or kiln firing. According to the researchers, this significantly reduces energy consumption and potential manufacturing costs.

Bricks showed superior performance in durability tests

The results obtained by the team indicate that the blocks produced with desert sand not only serve as an environmental alternative. They also showed competitive mechanical performance compared to conventional materials.

According to the researchers from the University of Sharjah, the bricks demonstrated greater mechanical strength, lower water absorption, and better performance in durability tests when compared to blocks produced with conventional cement.

The tests also evaluated resistance to the so-called sulfate attack, one of the main problems faced by structures located in coastal regions or in soils rich in mineral salts. According to the results released by the university, the desert sand bricks maintained their structural integrity and, in some scenarios, outperformed traditional cementitious materials.

The goal is to reduce one of the largest sources of CO₂ in construction

The relevance of the research goes beyond the use of an abundant resource. Portland cement is among the most criticized industrial materials for its carbon footprint.

The University of Sharjah highlights that the production of Portland cement is associated with a significant portion of global carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers cite that this material accounts for up to 10% of global CO₂ emissions, making it one of the main targets of initiatives aimed at decarbonizing civil construction.

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates have transformed desert sand into eco-friendly bricks that harden without kilns and reduce dependence on Portland cement. — sand brick blocks

By using local sand and reducing dependence on conventional materials, the technology can decrease emissions related to both the manufacturing and transportation of inputs. Additionally, the use of industrial waste such as slag and ash creates a production chain more aligned with the principles of the circular economy.

The next step is to bring the technology to real construction projects

Despite promising results, the researchers emphasize that the project still needs to go through additional stages before reaching the large-scale market.

According to the University of Sharjah, the team is now working on pilot test programs and economic feasibility analyses to verify the consistency of production on an industrial scale. The goal is to assess costs, logistics, performance in real construction projects, and potential adoption by the construction industry.

If the results are confirmed outside the laboratories, one of the planet’s most abundant and historically underutilized raw materials could gain a new function.

The same sand that for decades was considered unsuitable for construction could help build cities in arid regions, reducing emissions, utilizing local resources, and creating a new category of sustainable materials for civil engineering.

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Desert sand, previously discarded for being too smooth for concrete, becomes an ecological brick in the United Arab Emirates, dispensing with Portland cement, curing at room temperature, and attempting to transform dunes useless for construction into raw material for a new arid engineering.

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates have transformed desert sand into eco-friendly bricks that harden without kilns and reduce dependence on Portland cement.

Why desert sand has always been rejected by construction

How scientists transformed dunes into eco-friendly bricks

Bricks showed superior performance in durability tests

The goal is to reduce one of the largest sources of CO₂ in construction

The next step is to bring the technology to real construction projects

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Desert sand, previously discarded for being too smooth for concrete, becomes an ecological brick in the United Arab Emirates, dispensing with Portland cement, curing at room temperature, and attempting to transform dunes useless for construction into raw material for a new arid engineering.

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates have transformed desert sand into eco-friendly bricks that harden without kilns and reduce dependence on Portland cement.

Why desert sand has always been rejected by construction

How scientists transformed dunes into eco-friendly bricks

Bricks showed superior performance in durability tests

The goal is to reduce one of the largest sources of CO₂ in construction

The next step is to bring the technology to real construction projects

Mother and daughter build a 70 m² house with more than 8,000 discarded glass bottles and impress with their creativity; known as the Casa de Sal, the property is located on Itamaracá Island, in Pernambuco.

Workers were opening a new road connection near the Marginal Tietê when they found, in the underground of the construction site, remnants of locomotives, wagons, and boilers from the 19th century linked to the forgotten history of Lapa.

Instead of burning or burying old tires, an American city is transforming about 2,000 of them into the street itself, paving its first sections with a quieter and more durable rubber asphalt.

China transforms desert-devastated area into the world’s largest artificial forest, planting trees for 60 years, blocking sand that reached Beijing, and creating a “green lung” of 92,000 hectares in a region once considered lost.

Greek island offers free housing for volunteers, but there’s a condition: you need to take care of rescued cats.

China has deployed snake-shaped robots to slide along power lines, where they have already inspected over 130 kilometers of cables using cameras and sensors to detect damaged wires, worn-out parts, and overheating.

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