‘Breathable sand’: How the UAE’s deserts can be a solution for climate change

‘Breathable sand’: How the UAE’s deserts can be a solution for climate change

The United Arab Emirates’ vast deserts and sandy terrain could be a solution to tackling climate change, water shortages and food security, according to a company using innovative technology to transform sand granules into agriculturally friendly farmland.

Dubai-based company Dake Rechsand’s ‘breathable sand’ technology helps desert sand retain water around roots while allowing air to flow freely. Chairman and croup CEO Chandra Dake says the technology can revolutionize farmingin the desert.

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“The idea is the desert itself will become a solution for the desert problem,” he told Al Arabiya English. “Desert sand has never been used in any industry before. Now we have created an industry out of it. The breathable sand is a special sand, which makes the plants grow better because it allows aeration.”

Desert sand is treated using Rechsands patented technology called surface-free energy, which is based on how solids react to the surface tension of liquids creating a “water body” on top of the sand.

“Desert sand is the raw material and then we kind of coat it with a special technology, which makes it perform the way we intend to – like the retention of