Did you know that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, despite their deserts, import millions of tonnes of sand every year? Why do they rely on imported sand for their mega-projects?

Mega-projects in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, such as Vision 2030, as well as landmark constructions including the Palm Islands, The World and the Burj Khalifa, require astronomical quantities of sand. In 2023, the United Arab Emirates imported more than 6,000,000 tonnes of sand, representing nearly €37.35 million spent solely on these imports, according to the outlet Jeux Vidéo. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes were used to build Dubai’s artificial islands.

Local sand, shaped by desert winds, is unsuitable for such construction. This “aeolian sand” — whose grains have been polished and rounded by the wind — is too smooth, weakening reinforced concrete. Technical standards therefore require “angular sand”, sourced from rivers and quarries, which allows for the production of strong and durable concrete. For the Burj Khalifa, for example, around 45,700 tonnes of sand were specially transported from Australia.

Where this sand comes from and how it moves

The United Arab Emirates’ import strategy in 2023 relied largely on Saudi Arabia as its primary source, followed by Egypt and Belgium. Transport takes place by cargo ship, sometimes from locations as distant as Australia or Egypt. The selection of sand goes beyond basic construction needs: glass production, for instance, requires high-purity quartz — a “premium quartz” that is rarely found locally.

For countries such as the United Arab Emirates, solutions must therefore be sought abroad, driven by strict quality criteria. This search combines scientific, logistical and sometimes political considerations.

Environmental repercussions and possible alternatives

Global sand extraction has reached unprecedented levels: around 50 billion tonnes are mined each year, making sand the second most consumed natural resource after water. Coastal extraction, although convenient, worsens beach erosion and damages ecosystems, potentially leading to serious environmental disasters. This plundering of “gold dust” even attracts organised crime, with networks transporting sand from India or Morocco to high-demand regions.

In response to this growing pressure and environmental degradation, the use of recycled materials and manufactured sand is emerging as a promising alternative. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is highlighting these solutions within the framework of Vision 2030 in order to reduce a costly dependence on natural resources.

See: Des déserts à perte de vue… et pourtant contraints d’importer du sable