Concrete Forming.

Product Suggested: PSB® Conform

Why PSB® Conform

  • PSB® Conform is specifically designed for shuttering applications, providing robust support for heavy loads during the concrete pouring process, ensuring stability and security of formwork systems throughout construction. Its strong structural composition prevents deformation under the weight of fresh concrete.
  • PSB® Conform is suitable for environments with high moisture exposure, minimizing the risk of thickness swelling.
  • PSB® Conform offers exceptional durability, providing long-lasting performance even in demanding construction environments. Its resistance to wear and tear during the formwork process helps reduce maintenance costs and extend the lifespan.
  • PSB® Conform is resistant to warping and deformation, making it ideal for challenging environments.
  • PSB® Conform is ideal for creating reusable formwork for concrete pouring, enabling precise shaping and reducing waste in construction projects.
  • PSB® Conform offers a cost-effective solution, being reusable up to 40+ times.
  • PSB® Conform delivers standard performance with a modulus of elasticity of 3,500 Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm²) and a modulus of rupture ranging from 18 to 22 Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm²).

Specifications

Modulus of Rupture 18 – 22 N/mm2
Modulus of Elasticity 3,500 N/mm2
Internal Bonding 0.40 – 0.50 N/mm2
Internal Bonding After boiling 0.13 to 0.17 N/mm²
Thickness Swelling 12%
width 1220 mm
Length 2440 mm
Thickness 12 – 25

Customizable Finishes.

Polypropylene Face Finishing

A common thermoplastic polymer with excellent properties, including high gas and water permeability resistance, mechanical properties, flame resistance, and high heat distortion temperature.

Best Practices.

Since the PSB® Conform will be exposed to moisture, the edges of the boards must be coated. In the case of resizing, the newly cut edges must also be coated.

For components being fastened, such as beams, rafters, joists, and trusses, pre-drilling is essential. The diameter of the pre-drilled hole should be smaller than the screw diameter to ensure effective engagement of the screw threads.

During transportation and storage, ensure that sufficient protective covers are provided to safeguard the PSB® Conform.

Use screws, nails, or staples for fastening, ensuring the length is at least 2.5 times the thickness of the board, but no less than 50-75 millimeters (mm). Fastening should occur at intervals of 150-300 millimeters (mm) on intermediate supports (depending on roof pitch), every 150 millimeters (mm) on board joints, and every 100 millimeters (mm) along roof edges.

Use an appropriate release agent to prevent concrete from sticking to the PSB® Conform and to improve the ease of formwork removal.

FAQs.

Concrete forming, also called shuttering, is the process of creating molds to hold freshly poured concrete until it hardens and gains strength. The formwork determines the shape, dimensions, and finish of structural elements such as slabs, beams, and walls. Traditional formwork materials include timber, plywood, and steel, but these often have high costs or environmental drawbacks. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) provides a sustainable alternative, engineered for durability and reusability while being carbon-negative and zero-formaldehyde, making it ideal for modern construction.

Concrete formwork is traditionally made from plywood, timber, steel, and engineered boards. Each material has trade-offs: steel is durable but expensive and heavy, while timber and plywood are affordable but degrade quickly. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) offers a refined balance. Manufactured from upcycled palm fronds, it is carbon-negative, durable, and engineered for GCC climates. With reusability of up to 40 times vertically, PSB® Conform outperforms traditional alternatives economically and environmentally, giving contractors a reliable and sustainable material for large-scale projects.

Formwork can account for up to 40% of a project’s concrete cost (Jha, 2011;Nawy, 2008;Senouci and Al-Ansari, 1996), making material choice a major factor in budgeting. Traditional wooden boards may seem cost-effective initially but require frequent replacement. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) lasts up to 50 uses vertically, significantly reducing total spend. Its durability and reusability lower labor, waste disposal, and material costs, while its sustainability credentials add value for ESG-conscious developers. This makes DesertBoard the smarter financial choice for formwork.

Traditional wooden formwork material deteriorate quickly with water and cement exposure, leading to swelling, delamination, and inconsistent finishes. It also attracts termites and emits formaldehyde, which is harmful to labourers. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) overcomes these issues with zero-formaldehyde emissions, termite resistance, and a laminated surface that resists cement adhesion. Its durability ensures smooth finishes and consistent performance, reducing the operational challenges that contractors often face.

Yes. Sustainable shuttering materials like DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) improve efficiency by lasting longer, reducing downtime for material replacement, and producing consistent concrete finishes. They also reduce waste, lowering site clean-up costs. Unlike traditional shuttering material, DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform is engineered for durability and reusability to streamline construction workflows. Its local production in Kezad, Abu Dhabi ensures reliable supply, further improving project timelines. By combining sustainability with efficiency, DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform enhances both environmental and operational performance in construction projects.

Yes. While most formwork in the GCC still uses imported traditional formwork material, sustainable options like DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform are manufactured locally in Kezad, Abu Dhabi. This reduces transport emissions and ensures reliable supply chains. With zero-formaldehyde emissions, termite resistance, and up to 40 reuse cycles vertically, DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform is uniquely suited to the GCC’s climate and construction demands. By choosing DesertBoard, contractors gain both performance and sustainability, setting a new standard for shuttering in the region.

DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) is specifically engineered for shuttering and concrete forming applications. Made from upcycled date palm fronds, it is carbon-negative and zero-formaldehyde, reducing both environmental impact and health risks. Unlike conventional plywood, which warps or loses strength after a few uses, PSB® Conform is laminated for durability and can be reused up to 40 times vertically, lowering costs and waste. This makes Palm Strand Board (PSB®) not only a sustainable alternative but also an economically efficient solution for contractors across the GCC.

Conventional plywood often deteriorates quickly under the harsh conditions of construction sites, especially with repeated exposure to water and cement. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) offers superior durability, resisting warping and swelling. Its laminated surface allows contractors to reuse it up to 40 times vertically. This high reusability reduces waste, labor, and replacement costs. By delivering better performance while being carbon-negative, Palm Strand Board (PSB®) outperforms conventional plywood in both sustainability and reusability.

DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) carries local and international certifications for strength, durability, and moisture resistance. These certifications include Thermal Transmission test report by Emirates International Accreditation Center, as well as Internal Bonding test report, Density test report, Bending Strength test report, Internal Bond Strength test report, Moisture Content test report, Screw Withdrawal test report, Linear expansion test report, and Thickness Swelling test report, all evaluated by Wimpey Laboratories and accredited according to IAS.

Yes. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) is designed with laminated surfaces that resist moisture penetration, cement adhesion, and chemical degradation, evaluated by Wimpey Laboratories and accredited according to IAS. This ensures stability and performance even with repeated water and cement exposure. Traditional plywood often swells and loses strength after a few cycles, but DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) maintains its structural integrity through repeated usage. This resistance to moisture and chemical effects makes it a reliable shuttering material for large-scale construction projects.

Construction in the GCC is demanding due to extreme heat, humidity, and heavy site usage. DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) is engineered for these conditions, resisting warping, swelling, and termite damage. Its laminated surface ensures long-term durability, even under repeated cycles of pouring and curing concrete. Unlike imported alternatives, which often fails after a few uses in such environments, DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform maintains consistent performance. This reliability makes it the superior choice for contractors in the GCC.

DesertBoard maintains stock of PSB® Conform panels in its Kezad (Abu Dhabi) factory for immediate dispatch across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. For large-scale orders or custom specifications, local production ensures quick turnaround compared to imports. This regional supply chain reduces delays and ensures contractors can access sustainable forming boards when needed. The reliable availability of DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform helps projects stay on schedule while meeting sustainability requirements.

DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB® Conform) contributes directly to LEED, WELL, and Estidama certifications. Its carbon-negative production, zero-formaldehyde emissions, and high reusability support credits for sustainable materials and waste reduction. By using DesertBoard’s PSB® Conform, contractors can reduce the embodied carbon of construction projects while demonstrating ESG compliance. Its certifications and environmental credentials make it a valuable material for developers aiming to achieve green building certifications.