Innovative use of desalination brine and palm wood waste in developing sustainable biodegradable composites
Fatima Aljaberi, Waleed Ahmed, Ali H. Al Marzouqi, Ameera F. Mohammad
Abstract: The growing reliance on desalination to meet freshwater demands has led to a significant and concerning increase in the production of reject brine, a byproduct characterized by its extreme salinity, chemical pollutants, and adverse impacts on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. At the same time, the construction industry is facing increasing pressure to embrace sustainable practices in response to climate change, resource depletion, and the rising costs of traditional building materials. This research investigates the potential of converting two abundant waste streams, desalination reject brine and agricultural palm wood residues, into high-performance, environmentally friendly composite materials suitable for construction applications. This study focuses on developing two innovative composite systems using a biodegradable polymer (PLA), derived from renewable sources, PLA reinforced with powder compound extracted from reject brine, and PLA combined with palm wood powder and reject brine salts. This approach not only mitigates the environmental issues associated with the disposal of high-salinity brine and the underutilization of agricultural residues, but also reduces dependence on virgin raw materials and freshwater in construction processes. Additionally, incorporating treated brine has shown potential to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA-based composites. This research presents a practical and innovative approach to sustainable construction, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. The outcomes are expected to validate the feasibility and benefits of waste-derived materials, supporting environmental preservation and economic sustainability, particularly in water-scarce regions such as the United Arab Emirates.
Keywords
Desalination Reject Brine, Waste Valorization, PLA Composites, Palm Wood Residues, Sustainable Construction Materials, Circular Economy, Brine-Derived Salts, Biodegradable Polymers
Published online 6/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Fatima Aljaberi, Waleed Ahmed, Ali H. Al Marzouqi, Ameera F. Mohammad, Innovative use of desalination brine and palm wood waste in developing sustainable biodegradable composites, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 797-802, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-110
The article was published as article 110 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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