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- SandX is a biodegradable sand coating that reduces water evaporation by 80 percent using nature-inspired technology
- CarboSoil is a breakthrough in soil amendment and carbon capture, enhancing plant growth and reducing emissions
JEDDAH: For more than a decade 抖阴短视频 has invested in sustainability, implementing groundbreaking initiatives to combat desertification, improve soil quality and preserve water.
These efforts are transforming the Kingdom鈥檚 landscape, aligning with the broader goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
One of the most ambitious projects is King Salman Park in Riyadh 鈥� one of the world鈥檚 largest urban parks. The initiative focuses on increasing green spaces, restoring soil health and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Native tree planting and sustainable water management systems are key components, ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
Meanwhile, on the Kingdom鈥檚 east coast, Saudi Aramco has spearheaded efforts to manage soil erosion, improve water retention and enhance biodiversity.
But it is in the laboratories of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology where cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of sustainable soil solutions.
Terraxy technology in the lab. (KAUST photo)
Himanshu Mishra, an associate professor at KAUST, has spent the last decade addressing some of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 biggest environmental challenges. A specialist in water properties, his early research led him to an eye-opening realization about the Kingdom鈥檚 water usage.
鈥淲hen I came to 抖阴短视频, I learned about the stress on water,鈥� Mishra told Arab News. 鈥淪omebody told me that 80 percent of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 water is used for food production, yet (the country) is importing most of its food. That just blew my mind. I was disturbed by it.鈥�
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Inspired by nature鈥檚 ability to repel water, Mishra co-founded SandX, a biodegradable, water-repellent sand coating designed to reduce water evaporation.
The technology mimics nature鈥檚 super water-repellent surfaces 鈥� like butterfly wings and bird feathers 鈥� to create a revolutionary material.
鈥淭his material, it hates water. It absolutely hates water,鈥� said Mishra. 鈥淭his is SandX, and water doesn鈥檛 penetrate it.
Screen grab from a video showing KAUST researchers applying Carbosoil at a SandX testing site. (KAUST video)
Each grain of SandX is coated with a nanoscale layer of biodegradable paraffin wax, reducing water evaporation by over 80 percent without the use of plastics. 鈥淏acteria will eat the wax, so SandX will become sand again,鈥� Mishra said.
鈥淣o one has ever done this in 抖阴短视频. We are the engineers, the first ones to do that. We are pioneers in this.鈥�
Water scarcity, however, is only part of the challenge. 鈥淒o you know how old this water is?鈥� Mishra asked, holding up a bottle. 鈥淭his water is older than our planet. We have limited water resources, but we still have some resources. What we don鈥檛 have (are) fertile soils.鈥�
Himanshu Mishra. (Supplied)
Green spaces in 抖阴短视频 are heavily dependent on imported peat moss, he said, a practice that is not only expensive but also counterproductive to sustainability.
鈥淵ou import so much peat moss every year 鈥� it鈥檚 a multi-million-dollar market. And you rely on these imports. It defeats the whole purpose of sustainability.鈥�
To address this, Mishra developed CarboSoil, a groundbreaking soil amendment and carbon capture technology derived from organic waste.
A layer of SandX applied like mulch over wet soil greatly reduces evaporation. (KAUST/Terraxy photo)
Unlike traditional compost, which eventually releases carbon back into the air, CarboSoil locks carbon into the soil while enhancing plant growth.
鈥淭his is the only technology known to humanity that does soil amendment and carbon capture at the same time,鈥� he said.
Field trials for CarboSoil are ongoing, with production scaling up following a KAUST Innovation and Economic Development grant. Mishra believes the impact will be transformative.
鈥淥ur technology will contribute to food production and greening projects in arid regions,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen you apply it on plants, they grow bigger and stronger 鈥� like 60 percent bigger, with wider trunks. Enhanced food production. Enhanced yields. That鈥檚 additional carbon capture.鈥�
Oil palm waste. (Getty Images)
Looking ahead, Mishra envisions 抖阴短视频 leading the world in carbon dioxide removal.
鈥淚 can guarantee you that as we continue to scale up this production under the stewardship of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, in less than five years, 抖阴短视频 will be ranked number one in carbon dioxide removal deliveries on the planet.鈥�
The startup鈥檚 ambitions extend far beyond the Kingdom. 鈥淩ight now, our goal is to contribute to the landscaping and green sector in the Kingdom,鈥� he said.
鈥淚n phase three, we start building factories for poultry farms, date farms, and other industries. Phase four is we will expand to the wider Middle East.鈥�