Did you know that Saudi Arabia, known for its vast desert, imports sand? As ironic as it might sound, it is true. The country imports sand from nations like Australia, China, and Belgium. While this may be confusing for many, the reason behind this is that the sand available in Saudi Arabia is not suitable for construction. As the country continued to work on its Vision 2030 projects, it has seen a significant increase in sand imports. This little-known fact also highlights a larger global problem: high-quality sand for construction is becoming increasingly difficult to find, and there is a growing dependency on outside resources. Let us tell you why desert sand can’t be used for construction, about the global sand crisis and its sustainable solutions. Why Desert Sand Isn’t Suitable For Construction? Even though deserts are filled with sand as far as the eye can see, the type that is found there is not suitable for construction. Desert sand is usually smooth and round due to the erosion caused by wind over the years, making it unsuitable for use with cement. In construction, rougher and angular grains of sand are used that can bind well with water and cement. This type of sand is usually found on riverbeds, lakes and seabeds. Role Of Australia In Supplying Sand Globally In recent times, Australia has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of construction-grade sand. According to the OEC world, the country supplied a total of $273 million worth of sand in 2023, making it the second-largest exporter of sand globally. Saudi Arabia bought $140,000 worth of sand from Australia that year. The Gulf Country has utilised imported sand in some of its largest projects, including The Red Sea Project, NEOM, and Qiddiya. Saudi Arabia Isn’t The Only One Importing Sand Besides Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar also import sand for the same reason. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to grow exponentially in recent years, and they require high-quality sand for their tall buildings and modern infrastructure. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2024 also highlighted that the rapid growth of the Gulf Countries is leading to a high demand for sand globally. Sand Crisis- The Bigger Problem The dependence on construction-grade sand isn’t just limited to Middle Eastern countries. Fifty billion tonnes of sand are used annually worldwide, making it one of the most extracted solid materials, according to a report by UNEP. But only a fraction of it is suitable for construction. In fact, worldwide, there is an increasing scarcity of sand suitable for construction. UNEP has flagged this as a “sand crisis” and warned that unregulated extraction is resulting in serious environmental degradation, including riverbed erosion, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. What Are Some Sustainable Solutions To Sand Crisis? To reduce their dependency on natural sand, some countries, including Saudi Arabia, are exploring alternatives like M-sand, or manufactured sand. It is made by crushing rocks to make it suitable for use in construction. Moreover, recycled construction waste is also being repurposed for use as an alternative. But widespread adoption of such alternative solutions might take time.