As demand for concrete continues to rise, engineers are facing a growing materials problem that has little to do with cement and everything to do with sand. While deserts cover large portions of the planet, the sand they contain is typically considered unsuitable for construction. Its grains are too smooth and too fine to bind effectively in conventional concrete. At the same time, riverbeds and quarries are being depleted to supply the angular sand required for buildings and roads.
Wei, R., Atsuki, T., Ji, G., & Sakai, Y. (2025). Botanical sandcrete: An environment-friendly alternative way to the mass utilization of fine (desert) sand. Journal of Building Engineering, 113, 114078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114078
A research collaboration involving the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Tokyo is revisiting this assumption. Led by Ren Wei, a postdoctoral researcher in manufacturing and civil engineering, the team has developed a prototype construction material that uses desert sand combined with plant-based additives. The material, referred to as botanical sand concrete, is designed to bypass some of the limitations that prevent desert sand from being used in traditional mixes.
Ren Wei from Norwegian University of Science stated,
“The production process is relatively simple, so in principle the material can be made in many places. But we need to test more, including how it can withstand cold, before it can be used in Norway.”
Concrete remains the most widely used man-made material in the world. Global production of cement exceeds four billion tonnes annually, and the sector accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. Sand is a critical component, but suitable natural sand is increasingly scarce. River sand extraction alters ecosystems and accelerates erosion, while crushing rock into sand consumes energy and adds cost. This mismatch between abundant desert sand and usable construction sand has been described by engineers as a structural paradox.
The research team approached the problem by changing how sand is bound rather than trying to force desert sand into conventional concrete formulations. Instead of relying on cement hydration alone, botanical sand concrete is produced by mixing fine desert sand with small quantities of wood-based material and applying heat and pressure. The resulting material forms through a pressing process similar to those used in engineered wood products.
Laboratory experiments were conducted using sands from multiple sources, including desert sand, silica sand, granite powder, and industrial by-products. The researchers tested different temperatures, pressures, mixing ratios, and pressing times to evaluate how these variables affected strength and density. The strongest samples demonstrated mechanical properties suitable for non-structural applications such as paving blocks, walkways, and indoor building elements.
According to the research team, the fine grain size of desert sand, which is normally a disadvantage in concrete, becomes less problematic when combined with heat-assisted compression. The plant-based additives act as a reinforcing phase, improving cohesion without requiring large quantities of cement. While the current prototypes are not intended to replace reinforced concrete, they represent a potential alternative for applications where high compressive strength is not the primary requirement.
Environmental considerations are central to the work. If botanical sand concrete can be produced locally in desert regions, it could reduce the need for long-distance transport of construction aggregates. This would help avoid shifting environmental impacts from river systems to logistics networks. The researchers emphasize that desert sand should be used near its source to maintain any net sustainability benefit.
Further testing is still required before the material can be deployed outside laboratory conditions. Durability under freeze–thaw cycles, moisture exposure, and long-term loading remains under study. The team notes that materials suitable for arid regions may require additional modification before being used in colder climates.
The broader significance of the research lies in how it reframes the sand shortage problem. Rather than treating desert sand as incompatible with construction, the work suggests that alternative processing methods can unlock new material pathways. If scaled responsibly, botanical sand concrete could become one of several complementary solutions aimed at reducing pressure on rivers, quarries, and energy-intensive cement production.
For civil engineers and materials scientists, the study adds to a growing body of research focused on adapting local resources to meet global infrastructure needs. As urbanization continues and sustainability constraints tighten, such approaches may play an increasingly important role in how and where future buildings and roads are made.
Adrian graduated with a Masters Degree (1st Class Honours) in Chemical Engineering from Chester University along with Harris. His master’s research aimed to develop a standardadised clean water oxygenation transfer procedure to test bubble diffusers that are currently used in the wastewater industry commercial market. He has also undergone placments in both US and China primarely focused within the R&D department and is an associate member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
