Turning palm and wood waste into Saudi-made boards for a circular future

A venture built project under falaq studio, Leafan is a Saudi industrial initiative that transforms agricultural and construction waste into sustainable, affordable locally produced laminated particle boards. Originating from the challenge of excess palm waste and the ever accumulating construction and demolition waste (CDW), Leafan has developed into a scalable model that integrates date palm fiber with recycled wood to cater to the Kingdom’s flourishing construction and furniture sectors.

Leafan’s mission is to become the leading producer of circular wood products in the region, diverting millions of tons of waste from landfills while decarbonizing supply chains.

A board manufacturer producing particle and laminated boards for furniture and interiors. Leafan makes the particle boards from date palm and Construction and Demolition waste through an in-house developed process and formula.

Leafan had to develop an integrated supply chain platform with feedstock partnerships at Saudi landfills and palm farms to secure the necessary raw materials.

This innovative and proprietary process and platform has manifested into a circular economy initiative reducing wood imports and supplying carbon-negative building materials.

1. Palm waste accumulation in Saudi plantations and landfills: transformed into industrial-grade boards.
2. Heavy board imports: local production serves as a substitute for imported MDF and particle boards improving the economy's trade deficit.
3. Feedstock scarcity: there is no forestry industry in Saudi due to its climate, imports are non-economical. To solve this problem Leafan developed a dual sourcing strategy from recycled wood and palm fronds that allows scalability.
4. Price sensitivity: Local production and raw material sourcing achieves lower unit costs compared to imports, offering affordable products made in Saudi Arabia.
5. Design limitations: in-house lamination enables trend-responsive finishes and quicker delivery.

• Technical Milestone: Successfully piloted palm fiber technology to meet EN312 P3 standards.

• Leafan 2.0: Shifted to dual feedstock (palm waste + recycled wood) to boost scalability and profitability.

• Feedstock Control: Exclusive partnerships with MRFs (e.g., Al-Dugham CDW landfill) and scavenger networks.

• Market Growth: Catering to a SAR 1.4 billion Saudi board market expanding at a high CAGR, fueled by Vision 2030 housing and commercial demands.

Layers of Protection:

• Feedstock sourcing advantage through landfill access.
• Board production economics surpass imports.
• In-house lamination to stay ahead of trends.
• Owned sales channels to secure customers.

Leafan embodies Almiras’s belief that industrial ventures can achieve both profitability and regeneration.

Macro Fit: Aligns with Vision 2030 localization and Saudi Circular Economy Policy.

Micro Fit: Robust market demand with limited local supply; cost advantage over imports.

Management Fit: In-house R&D, pilot insights, and partnerships enhance resilience.

Portfolio Synergy: Provides sustainable boards to ArchiSite, Saj, and Sheen, strengthening Almiras’s vertical integration in the built environment.

Leafan transforms waste into wealth, generating value where others only saw landfill.