DesertBoard UAE, the regional pioneer in sustainability, has emerged as a standout winner at the esteemed Global iF Design Awards in Hamburg. Recognized for its innovation and commitment to eco-friendly solutions, DesertBoard secured four prestigious titles: Best Sustainable Building Material, Best Sustainable Building Panel, Best Sustainable Door Core, and Best Fire-Rated Sustainable Door.
The Global iF Design Awards, backed by the non-profit iF Design Foundation, celebrate groundbreaking designs that influence industries worldwide. This year, a jury of 131 design experts from 23 countries evaluated over 11,000 entries from 66 nations, selecting DesertBoard for its revolutionary approach to sustainability in construction materials.
DesertBoard’s award-winning innovation, Palm Strand Board (PSB®), is redefining the building industry by offering the region’s most sustainable alternative to traditional engineered wood-based panels. Developed using repurposed palm fronds, PSB® sets a new benchmark for environmentally responsible construction materials.
“Winning four awards at the Global iF Design Awards is a testament to the impact of our sustainable innovation,” said Kareem Farah, Director, DesertBoard UAE. “PSB® is not just a substitute for conventional engineered wood panels—it’s a game-changer in sustainable construction. These accolades reinforce our commitment to environmental responsibility while delivering high-performance materials to the industry.”
DesertBoard UAE is leading the charge in transforming 500,000 tonnes of annual palm bio-ecological residue mass into high-quality, durable building materials. By diverting bio-ecological residual mass, DesertBoard actively reduces methane emissions, a major contributor to climate change, while promoting a circular economy.
“We’re proud to be the first company from the GCC region in the history of the iF Awards to have won four awards in Building Technology & Construction Material categories,” added Kamal Farah, Director, DesertBoard.
At the core of these historic wins are DesertBoard’s high-performance, zero-formaldehyde palm strand boards, addressing key industry challenges and setting new sustainability standards across building panels, door cores, and fire-rated solutions. Here’s how each award-winning product is transforming the construction industry.
Palm Strand Board (PSB®) – Best Sustainable Building Material
Palm Strand Board (PSB®) by DesertBoard® is the region’s most sustainable building material made from palm bio-ecological residual mass. It is 100% deforestation-free, moisture and termite resistant, and highly versatile for applications like interior fitouts, furniture, wall cladding, booths, door cores, flooring, mass timber structures, and more. With a calibrated surface for custom finishes, PSB® features high screw withdrawal for secure installations.
PSB® Lisocore® – Best Sustainable Building Panel
The panel industry faces five key challenges: material consumption and waste, weight and portability, stiffness and structural integrity, deforestation, and indoor air quality. The PSB® Lisocore® Panel effectively addresses these issues. By integrating Lisocore® technology, material consumption decreases by 47% compared to industry standards. The panel maintains stiffness and rigidity while being 40% lighter, improving portability for applications such as tables and shelves. Furthermore, PSB® emits zero formaldehyde (0.3 mg/L), significantly enhancing indoor air quality and reducing volatile organic compounds (VOC) health risks.
PSB® Non-Fire Rated Door Core – Best Sustainable Door Core
The PSB® Non-Fire Rated Door Core (45mm) represents a breakthrough in sustainable construction, offering an eco-friendly, durable alternative to traditional wooden door cores. Made from renewable palm fronds, it actively supports carbon reduction by sequestering 60,000 tons of CO2 annually. With a Super E0 rating ensuring zero formaldehyde emissions, it enhances indoor air quality while delivering superior performance. Featuring a 12.76% thickness swell rate for durability in humid conditions, 40-decibel sound insulation, and high load-bearing strength, this resilient door core sets a new standard in sustainable building materials.
PSB® Fire Rated Door Core – Best Fire-Rated Sustainable Door
A key innovation in fire safety, the PSB® 3m High 1-Hour UL10C Fire Rated Door (72mm), crafted by Abanos, is the world’s first palm-based door with a UL10C fire rating, providing critical evacuation time without compromising environmental responsibility. Constructed from renewable palm frond biomass, it meets the highest fire safety standards while remaining zero-formaldehyde certified (Super E0) for healthier indoor environments. At 3 meters tall, it is ideal for architecturally ambitious spaces, delivering a combination of fire safety, durability, and design flexibility.
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Construction
The UAE’s green building sector is experiencing rapid expansion, with the GCC sustainable construction market projected to grow from USD 39.72 billion in 2025 to USD 66.82 billion by 2030. DesertBoard’s commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with the region’s environmental goals, offering developers, architects, and contractors a high-performance, sustainable alternative to conventional materials.
With multiple award wins, DesertBoard UAE continues to lead the industry in sustainable innovation, proving that environmental responsibility and superior performance can go hand in hand.
