How Saudi Arabia is pioneering soil quality and water conservation solutions

A layer of SandX applied like mulch over wet soil greatly reduces evaporation. (KAUST/Terraxy photo)
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Updated 22 March 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is pioneering soil quality and water conservation solutions

  • 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 Saudi Arabia has invested in sustainability, implementing groundbreaking initiatives to combat desertification, improve soil quality and preserve water.

These efforts are transforming the Kingdom’s landscape, aligning with the broader goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.

One of the most ambitious projects is King Salman Park in Riyadh — one of the world’s 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’s 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 Saudi Arabia’s biggest environmental challenges. A specialist in water properties, his early research led him to an eye-opening realization about the Kingdom’s water usage.

“When I came to Saudi Arabia, I learned about the stress on water,” Mishra told Arab News. “Somebody told me that 80 percent of Saudi Arabia’s 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.”

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Inspired by nature’s ability to repel water, Mishra co-founded SandX, a biodegradable, water-repellent sand coating designed to reduce water evaporation.

The technology mimics nature’s super water-repellent surfaces — like butterfly wings and bird feathers — to create a revolutionary material.

“This material, it hates water. It absolutely hates water,” said Mishra. “This is SandX, and water doesn’t 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. “Bacteria will eat the wax, so SandX will become sand again,” Mishra said.

“No one has ever done this in Saudi Arabia. We are the engineers, the first ones to do that. We are pioneers in this.”

Water scarcity, however, is only part of the challenge. “Do you know how old this water is?” Mishra asked, holding up a bottle. “This water is older than our planet. We have limited water resources, but we still have some resources. What we don’t have (are) fertile soils.”




Himanshu Mishra. (Supplied)

Green spaces in Saudi Arabia are heavily dependent on imported peat moss, he said, a practice that is not only expensive but also counterproductive to sustainability.

“You import so much peat moss every year — it’s a multi-million-dollar market. And you rely on these imports. It defeats the whole purpose of sustainability.”

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.

“This is the only technology known to humanity that does soil amendment and carbon capture at the same time,” 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.

“Our technology will contribute to food production and greening projects in arid regions,” he said. “When you apply it on plants, they grow bigger and stronger — like 60 percent bigger, with wider trunks. Enhanced food production. Enhanced yields. That’s additional carbon capture.”




Oil palm waste. (Getty Images)

Looking ahead, Mishra envisions Saudi Arabia leading the world in carbon dioxide removal.

“I 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, Saudi Arabia will be ranked number one in carbon dioxide removal deliveries on the planet.”

The startup’s ambitions extend far beyond the Kingdom. “Right now, our goal is to contribute to the landscaping and green sector in the Kingdom,” he said.

“In 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.”
 

 


Saudi project clears 1,050 Houthi mines in Yemen

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Saudi project clears 1,050 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,050 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 1,020 unexploded ordnances, 24 anti-tank mines, three anti-personnel mines and three explosive devices, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 488,656 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


Kingdom launches $293m water projects in Qassim

Updated 2 min 36 sec ago
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Kingdom launches $293m water projects in Qassim

  • These projects align with the company’s strategies to expand water and environmental services

RIYADH: The National Water Co. has begun implementing 16 water and wastewater projects in the Qassim region, with a total cost exceeding SR1.1 billion ($293 million).

These projects aim to expand water and sanitation services and meet rising demand,  the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The sanitation component includes 12 projects worth more than SR870 million, involving the installation of more than 645 km of sewage pipes and networks, as well as the construction of lifting stations with a total capacity exceeding 6,000 cubic meters per day.

The water component consists of four projects valued at more than SR247 million, including the laying of more than 579 km of water pipelines and networks.

These projects align with the company’s strategies to expand water and environmental services, meet growing demand, and improve the quality of life and services, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.


Golden heron graces skies of Northern Borders region

Updated 2 min 53 sec ago
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Golden heron graces skies of Northern Borders region

  • Wetland bird thrives along seashores, rivers, reed beds

RIYADH: The skies above Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region come alive each year with the graceful flight of migratory birds, from golden herons gliding over wetlands to flocks seeking respite.

Member of the Aman Environmental Association and birdwatching enthusiast Adnan Khalifa told the Saudi Press Agency that he recently observed several species of migratory birds in the region — most notably the golden heron — in various water bodies scattered across the area’s wilderness.

The golden heron, a wetland bird, thrives along seashores, rivers, and reed beds. Its plumage, a vibrant golden or orange hue, transforms in flight as its wings flash white, creating a dazzling spectacle visible from a distance.

Feeding on small fish, amphibians, and insects, golden herons typically nest in small colonies but often roam alone outside the breeding season.

These birds breed in reed marshes, atop trees, or along the shores of lakes and rivers.

The Northern Borders region serves as a vital migratory corridor, its strategic geographical location bridging Europe, Africa, and Asia, and its diverse landscapes — lush with natural vegetation — attracting both migratory and resident bird species.

This steady stream of birds through the region signals a thriving ecosystem, reflecting the region’s ecological health and balance.

These natural scenes during migration seasons add aesthetic value and cultural richness for local residents and visitors, including nature enthusiasts and environmental observers.

Migratory birds play an important role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations, and enhancing biodiversity, making them a vital element in sustaining the environmental life cycle.


Saudi ministry supports Balkans Qur’an contest

Updated 19 min 10 sec ago
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Saudi ministry supports Balkans Qur’an contest

RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through the religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has concluded the preliminary qualifiers for the largest international Holy Qur’an memorization competition in the Balkans.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Islamic Sheikdom in Kosovo and coordinated with the Saudi Embassy in Albania, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

There were 2,350 contestants from 22 countries, including Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Italy, Turkiye, Greece, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Estonia, Belgium, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Belarus and San Marino.

Of these, 160 contestants qualified for the final round, to be held May 8-11 in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, where they will compete in five categories.

The competition offers a total prize pool of SR500,000 ($133,000), with an estimated organization cost of SR1.2 million.

Sheikh Naim Ternava, grand mufti and head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its ongoing support.

He praised the ministry’s various programs aimed at promoting a moderate understanding of Islam and reinforcing the values and teachings of the Holy Qur’an among Muslims in the Balkans, particularly in Kosovo.


Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

Updated 40 min ago
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Kingdom ensures health, safety for Hajj pilgrims

  • Saudi authority to oversee food, medicine, medical facilities under comprehensive plan

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of food, medicine, and medical products provided to pilgrims during the Hajj season.

These efforts are being carried out under government directives, reflecting its commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring their comfort and safety, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority will monitor and inspect products under its supervision at air, land, and sea ports of entry for pilgrims, the SPA added.

It will also oversee food and pharmaceutical facilities and medical sites in Makkah and Madinah, as well as seasonal medical facilities affiliated with Hajj affairs offices, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the authority will monitor products arriving via air freight from Hajj affairs offices at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

Its initiatives during the Hajj season include field studies and awareness workshops for staff in approved food preparation kitchens to ensure compliance with health standards to provide safe meals to pilgrims, in collaboration with the municipalities of Makkah and Madinah.

The authority will also deliver multilingual awareness messages and informational programs to pilgrims on food and drug safety, according to the SPA.

The initiatives reflect the authority’s ongoing efforts to deliver optimal regulatory services, enhance coordination with government agencies for a successful Hajj season, and reinforce the Kingdom’s leadership in crowd management.