DesertBoard has announced that its Palm Strand Board (PSB) can assist developers in achieving LEED v5 certification points, according to an independent assessment by KEO International Consultants. This development is significant as it aligns with the growing demand for sustainable building materials in the UAE’s construction sector.
Manufactured in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, PSB utilizes annually regenerated date-palm fronds to create engineered panels suitable for various construction and interior applications. The assessment identifies five credits worth up to 20 points, plus one prerequisite, that PSB can support under the LEED v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) framework. These credits pertain to areas such as embodied carbon, low-emitting materials, climate health, circular economy, and indoor air quality.
DesertBoard’s PSB boasts a 91% bio-based content and has received a verified Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), along with E0 formaldehyde emissions. The environmental data for PSB is accessible through One Click LCA, a platform that aids project teams in calculating their buildings’ environmental impact. “Developers and architects need to know what a material can contribute to their project and have the documentation to support that decision,” stated Kareem Farah, Director of DesertBoard UAE.
This initiative not only enhances the sustainability profile of construction projects but also provides essential documentation for developers, architects, and contractors to assess PSB against certification requirements. The mapping of PSB’s contributions to LEED v5 strategies offers a clear basis for its consideration in sustainable building practices.
At Peninsula Four – The Plaza, the specified PSB volume is estimated to store approximately 1,237 tons of biogenic CO₂-equivalent, calculated using project quantities and independently verified EPD data. This quantification reflects the carbon stored in the material but does not determine the development’s net emissions reduction or LEED certification status.
DesertBoard’s efforts to convert the UAE’s palm bio-ecological residue into practical building materials extend beyond LEED v5 documentation. The company also provides emissions test reports, REACH compliance documentation, and bio-based content data to support specification decisions. However, it is important to note that credit achievement and LEED certification are determined at the project level, considering the entire building and applicable assessment criteria.
For further details on the environmental impact of PSB and its role in sustainable construction, refer to ME Construction News.
As the construction industry increasingly prioritizes sustainability, DesertBoard’s innovative approach to utilizing local resources for eco-friendly building materials positions it as a key player in the UAE’s evolving real estate landscape. For more insights into real estate developments in the region, visit our Real Estate section.
