A new wave of sustainable construction is emerging in the UAE, powered by innovative local materials such as Palm Strand Board (PSB), a high-performance, wood alternative produced by DesertBoard using upcycled palm waste.
Described as the world’s first engineered palm-based board, PSB is used in everything from house building, furniture, and interior design to mass timber structures, fire-rated doors, building facades, and flooring, says the UAE-based manufacturer.
DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board is claimed to be the world’s first engineered palm-based board.
The material is now taking centre stage in Select Group’s sustainability strategy, as the Dubai-based developer integrates PSB across major residential developments in collaboration with construction partner Engineering Contracting Company (ECC). The initiative signals a shift toward data-backed, low-emission materials that combine environmental responsibility with enhanced health and wellbeing outcomes for residents.
In total, nearly 3,000 cu m of PSB have been applied in the construction of interiors across Select Group’s Peninsula and The Edge projects.
By converting agricultural palm waste into durable, wood-based panels, DesertBoard’s manufacturing process enables an estimated 34 million kg of CO₂e sequestration – effectively locking carbon within the built environment rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.
Palm Strand Board has a verified EPD covering all product thicknesses.
Unlike conventional composites, PSB is engineered with a formaldehyde-free binding system and achieves a Super E0 emission rating, far surpassing standard benchmarks for indoor air quality, according to DesertBoard. This supports healthier indoor environment by limiting airborne emissions, contributing to improved indoor air quality and reinforcing Select Group’s focus on long-term occupant wellbeing and wellness-led residential design.
“For us, sustainability has to show up in the decisions we make on site, not just in strategy documents,” said Israr Liaqat, Group CEO, Select Group.
“Material selection is one of the most direct ways we can reduce environmental impact while improving the quality of the spaces people live in, and it is an area where developers are increasingly expected to lead,” says Thomas Main, Project Management Leader, Select Group.
PSB boards have been widely used for diverse applications ranging from robust façade and wall cladding systems to structural wall partitions.
ECC implemented the material across complex project environments without compromising construction quality or delivery timelines – a testament to the company’s capability to scale innovative materials effectively, says Desert Board.
For DesertBoard, the collaboration underscores the strategic value of waste-to-resource innovation within regional real estate.
“This collaboration demonstrates how alternative materials can deliver verifiable environmental and human benefits when applied at scale,” said Kamal Farah, Director, DesertBoard. “By converting agricultural waste into long-life construction materials, the project supports a more accountable and evidence-based approach to sustainable construction.”
DesertBoard delivers engineered timber alternative from palm fronds in the UAE.
“This project highlights a shift in industry decision-making, where lifecycle impact and indoor performance are increasingly considered alongside traditional technical and commercial criteria,” said Hatem Farah, Chairman, ECC Group. “It demonstrates how alternative materials can be implemented at scale within complex construction environments without compromising build quality or programme efficiency.”
The integration of PSB forms part of Select Group’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable residential initiatives through material choices that deliver measurable environmental gains while creating healthier living environments.