Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Saudi Arabia continues to embrace low-carbon solutions in construction, as the Kingdom takes a significant step towards reducing its reliance on high-emission building materials. A remarkable highlight at the second Saudi Wood Expo in Riyadh was the debut of the Palm Strand Board (PSB®), an innovative engineered wood product made from agricultural palm waste. This breakthrough, developed by DesertBoard from the UAE, is poised to reshape the Kingdom’s timber industry, offering a locally sourced alternative to conventional timber.
The Saudi Wood Expo, which opened at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, marks a crucial moment in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as the Kingdom turns towards more sustainable building practices. As part of its larger environmental goals, Saudi Arabia is now exploring more eco-friendly materials like palm strand boards and cross-laminated timber (CLT) to reduce its carbon footprint in construction.
With massive projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Trojena, and Qiddiya transforming the Kingdom’s urban landscape, demand for timber and sustainable building materials is rapidly increasing. Experts predict that the demand for timber products in Saudi Arabia could reach US$4.1 billion by 2029, driven by the growth of these mega projects.
Innovative Palm Strand Board and Sustainable Alternatives
PSB® is made from palm fronds, a waste product generated in large quantities in Saudi Arabia. The country produces over 300,000 tons of palm fronds annually, making PSB® a sustainable, locally sourced alternative to traditional timber. PSB® is already being deployed in early-stage projects for NEOM, highlighting its potential in large-scale, environmentally conscious construction projects.
This development is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push towards a circular economy, in line with Vision 2030’s sustainability goals. PSB® not only offers a renewable material sourced from local waste but also provides a versatile solution for applications such as cladding, cabinetry, and structural components. Additionally, research institutions in Oman are exploring palm-derived materials for construction, further supporting the regional momentum behind bio-based innovations in the building sector.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Future
The event has become the Kingdom’s largest dedicated showcase for wood and woodworking technologies, expected to draw over 10,000 visitors over the next three days.
Matt Denton, President of dmg events, which organised the expo, highlighted the significance of the event. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Saudi exhibition industry in particular, and for the expo sector worldwide in general,” Denton remarked. “What we have here is a really hot and emerging market driven by Vision 2030. There are so many great initiatives; what you really have to do is coordinate with suppliers and match them with local contractors to meet the demand.”
The Saudi Wood Expo not only facilitates the exchange of ideas but also offers a strategic platform for international suppliers to connect with local buyers, particularly those involved in the mega-projects currently underway in the Kingdom. A key example is the ongoing planning for 1,500 executive suites in NEOM, which will feature Australian hardwood for cladding, further boosting demand for sustainable materials.
An International Stage for Wood and Woodworking Innovations
The expo attracted global attention, including a visit from Poland’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Robert Rostek, who expressed his pleasure at seeing the growing interest in Saudi Arabia’s timber market. “I am very happy to attend the unique and big Saudi Wood Expo with the presence of the Polish companies,” he said. “They came for the first time to see the potential of the Saudi market, and I do believe the next edition of the expo will have more and more Polish companies.”
This year’s exhibitor lineup includes major international players such as Ilim Nordic Timber (Germany), Freud (Italy), and CAD+T (Austria), which are showcasing cutting-edge solutions in woodworking and timber production. Local firms like Al Tajweed, Amaleed, and Fian Group are also making waves by demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s growing capabilities in supplying specialised materials for construction, interiors, and furniture manufacturing.
Looking to the Future
The Saudi Wood Expo is not just about showcasing current innovations but also about future collaboration and partnerships. Faris Omar Al-Jaafari, Managing Director of Amaleed, expressed his excitement about the networking opportunities. “We specialise in solid woodworks, it’s all handmade and locally produced,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for local exhibitors to showcase their products with famous international exhibitors. We are hoping to close contracts here.”
One of the highlights of the event will be the “Building a Greener Future” panel, co-organised by ITCO and Egger, focusing on how sustainable materials and smart sourcing are reshaping construction and design across the region. This panel will discuss the role of innovative materials like PSB® and CLT in contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for the construction industry.
A New Era for Saudi Timber Industry
With the launch of Palm Strand Board and other eco-friendly innovations, the Saudi Wood Expo has firmly positioned Saudi Arabia at the forefront of sustainable construction practices. The event serves as a platform for global suppliers and local businesses to collaborate and create lasting partnerships that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
As Saudi Arabia pivots from traditional materials like concrete and steel, sustainable options such as PSB® offer promising solutions for the future of the built environment. The country’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and increasing the use of renewable materials will continue to shape the construction industry for years to come.
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Tags: cross-laminated timber, Palm Strand Board, saudi wood expo, sustainable building materials, woodworking event, woodworking technologies
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