Researchers develop a novel concrete made from desert sand, plant-derived additives, and milled wood particles, potentially reducing reliance on environmentally damaging extraction methods for non-loadbearing applications.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Tokyo have presented a prototype construction material that could allow the abundant but notoriously unusable desert sand to play a role in reducing the extractive pressure on riverbeds and quarries. According to the study published in the Journal of Building Engineering, the team’s so-called botanical sand concrete binds fine desert grains with plant-derived additives and milled wood particles under controlled heat and pressure, producing dense blocks suitable for non-loadbearing applications such as paving and walkways.
The innovation responds to two converging pressures on industrial decarbonisation and resource security. Cement production is responsible for roughly eight percent of global CO2 emissions and global demand for aggregates is intensifying the environmental harm of river‑sand extraction and rock crushing. Desert sand has been largely excluded from conventional concrete because its very fine, rounded particles do not interlock or bond well with ordinary cementitious matrixes. The researchers report that by replacing the traditional cement-driven binding route with a combination of organic binders, mechanical compaction and thermal treatment, desert sand can be consolidated into a material with promising surface quality and adhesion characteristics.
Laboratory trials at the University of Tokyo varied temperature, pressure, pressing time and mix proportions to optimise density and strength. According to the authors, the presence of wood powder contributes plasticity and crack‑refinement, while the botanical additives interact with the alkaline environment to improve internal cohesion. Independent coverage of the research indicates the resulting botanical sandcrete shows finer cracking patterns and improved adhesion compared with simple mixes of fine sand and cementitious powders.
The teams are cautious about practical limits. The material’s compressive performance remains below that of structural concrete and the developers emphasise its current suitability is for non-structural elements rather than buildings or infrastructure exposed to severe climates. They also stress that meaningful environmental benefits depend on local use rather than hauling heavy sand long distances, which would offset any upstream savings in extraction-related damage.
This work sits alongside complementary lines of research at the University of Tokyo and NTNU that target alternative ways to make aggregates and binders less carbon‑intensive. The Y. Sakai Laboratory has explored botanical concretes made from vegetable and fruit waste and methods for directly bonding silica‑rich particles without conventional adhesives, a technique reported to lower processing temperatures and energy demand. NTNU’s broader MiKS programme is investigating the use of manufactured and crushed sand to manage dwindling supplies of naturally suitable aggregates and to optimise fresh‑state rheology for practical placement.
From a decarbonisation and supply‑chain perspective, botanical sand concrete offers several potential advantages for industrial actors seeking lower‑impact material streams: it could reduce dependence on river and quarry extraction, valorise local organic waste streams, and lower embodied carbon if processing temperatures and transport logistics are managed. At the same time, adoption will require rigorous durability testing , freeze–thaw resistance, UV and moisture resilience, long-term creep and chemical stability , and standards pathways before any specification for pavement units or precast elements can be widely accepted by contractors and asset owners.
For practitioners in industrial decarbonisation, the research signals a practical route to expand the palette of low‑carbon, locally sourced materials, while highlighting the usual caveats of scale-up. According to the published work and accompanying technical briefings, next steps include extended outdoor exposure trials, life‑cycle assessment against incumbent pavement materials, and process engineering to reduce energy input during consolidation. If those hurdles can be cleared, botanical sand concrete could become a niche but valuable component of circular, lower‑carbon supply chains for non-structural construction products.
- https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/desert-sand-concrete-ntu-tokyo – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/desert-sand-concrete-ntu-tokyo – Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Tokyo have developed a prototype construction material called botanical sand concrete. This material combines fine desert sand with plant-based additives and small wood particles using heat and pressure, enabling desert sand to be used in concrete for the first time. Concrete is the most widely used construction material globally, with over four billion tonnes of cement produced annually, accounting for approximately eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The construction industry heavily relies on river sand and crushed rock, both of which are becoming scarce and environmentally damaging to extract. Desert sand, despite being abundant, has remained largely unusable in construction due to its smooth and fine grains, which do not bind properly in traditional concrete, resulting in weak structures. This limitation has forced builders to rely on sand sourced from rivers and quarries, accelerating erosion and habitat loss. The research team tested whether desert sand could be repurposed using an alternative manufacturing approach that does not rely on conventional cement binding. Their experiments showed that desert sand can be structurally viable when combined with organic materials and processed under controlled conditions. The team found the material strong enough for non-structural uses such as paving stones and walkways. However, they caution that botanical sand concrete is not yet suitable for large-scale construction or harsh outdoor environments. Further testing is needed to assess durability in cold climates and long-term performance. The researchers also stress that desert sand should be used locally to avoid emissions linked to transporting heavy materials over long distances. If developed further, botanical sand concrete could reduce the need to mine river sand and crush mountains for construction materials, while offering a way to use sand that is currently considered a liability in desert regions. The study was published in the Journal of Building Engineering.
- https://www.ntnu.edu/kt/miks – The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is conducting the Microproportioning with Crushed Sand (MiKS) project, which investigates the effect of crushed sand on concrete rheology. This project focuses on the use of manufactured sand as a concrete aggregate due to the severe lack of natural sources of good quality sand. The goal is to develop a microproportioning tool based on laboratory experiments and computational simulations. The project is a collaboration between NTNU, SINTEF, DTU, NIST, Norcem-Heidelberg AS, Skanska Norge AS, and Feiring Bruk. The research aims to address the global issue of sand scarcity and its impact on concrete production.
- https://ssp.jst.go.jp/sns/news/sat/science21/05_1.html – The University of Tokyo has developed a building material by directly bonding sand with a catalyst, eliminating the need for traditional adhesive components like cement or resin. Materials primarily containing silicon dioxide (SiO₂), such as sand or gravel, can be used. This technique significantly lowers the required temperature for processing, reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to conventional cement production. The new material demonstrates durability surpassing that of concrete, though its strength is about half that of traditional concrete. Future research aims to improve the material’s strength and further lower the processing temperature. This technology could also be applied to construct base stations on the surface of celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710225023150 – A study published in ScienceDirect discusses the development of botanical sandcrete, an environment-friendly alternative for the mass utilization of fine desert sand. The research highlights the superior performance of botanical sandcrete, including finer cracks and better adhesion due to the plasticity of wood and the influence of concrete alkalinity. The innovative use of desert sand in botanical sandcrete represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to construction material development. The findings advance the understanding of the formation of botanical sandcrete and confirm its potential as an alternative to traditional construction materials for making pavement bricks.
- https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/1113020 – EurekAlert! Science News Releases features an image related to botanical sand concrete, showcasing the materials involved in its creation. The image includes ground fine-aggregate sand powder, wood powder, concrete powder, untreated sand from the Namib Desert, slag aggregate powder, granite powder, and silica sand No. 8. This visual representation highlights the components used in developing botanical sand concrete, a material that combines fine desert sand with plant-based additives and small wood particles using heat and pressure, enabling desert sand to be used in concrete for the first time.
- https://ysakai.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/en-research – The Y. Sakai Laboratory at the University of Tokyo is engaged in research focused on the complete recycling of concrete waste and the direct bonding of sand and gravel. Their work includes the development of botanical concrete, which aims to create building materials from vegetable and fruit waste. The laboratory’s research contributes to sustainable construction practices by exploring innovative methods to recycle concrete waste and utilize alternative materials in construction, aligning with global efforts to reduce environmental impact and resource depletion in the construction industry.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article presents recent research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Tokyo on botanical sand concrete. A similar development was reported by the University of Tokyo in June 2021, focusing on a building material that directly bonds sand with a catalyst, potentially reducing reliance on traditional adhesives like cement. ([ssp.jst.go.jp](https://ssp.jst.go.jp/sns/news/sat/science21/05_1.html?utm_source=openai)) However, the specific combination of desert sand with plant-derived additives and milled wood particles under controlled heat and pressure appears to be a novel approach. The study was published in the Journal of Building Engineering, indicating recent and original research.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes attributed to the researchers. However, these quotes do not appear in the provided search results, making independent verification challenging. Without access to the original study or press release, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from Interesting Engineering, a niche publication. While it provides detailed information, the lack of direct access to the original study or press release raises concerns about the source’s reliability. The absence of links to primary sources further diminishes the ability to independently verify the claims.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The concept of using desert sand in concrete is plausible and has been explored in various studies. For instance, research has investigated the mechanical properties of concrete by replacing fine aggregate with desert sand. ([publications.muet.edu.pk](https://publications.muet.edu.pk/index.php/muetrj/article/view/2072?utm_source=openai)) However, the specific method of binding desert sand with plant-derived additives and milled wood particles under controlled heat and pressure is novel and lacks independent verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents recent research on botanical sand concrete but lacks direct access to the original study or press release, making independent verification challenging. The reliance on a single, niche source without links to primary sources diminishes the credibility of the information. The novelty of the specific method described further complicates verification. Given these concerns, the content cannot be fully verified, and publishing is not covered under our indemnity.
