Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing timber import markets, fuelled by a new wave of mega and giga projects — including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Trojena, and Qiddiya — that are changing the Kingdom’s built environment. Already, industry analysts forecast timber product demand could reach US$4.1 billion by 2029, as the country pivots from concrete and steel toward more sustainable materials.
That shift was on full display this week at the second Saudi Wood Expo, which opened yesterday at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among the standout innovations was the launch of UAE-based DesertBoard’s Palm Strand Board (PSB®), a new engineered wood product made from agricultural palm waste. With Saudi Arabia generating more than 300,000 tons of palm fronds annually, PSB® offers a locally sourced alternative to conventional timber — and a bold step toward Vision 2030’s circular economy goals.
“The raw materials contribute significantly to the region’s waste stream, much of which is underutilised or improperly disposed of by the industry,” Wood Central reported in June. Already deployed in early-stage NEOM projects, PSB® is gaining traction as a scalable solution for cladding, cabinetry, and structural components. Research institutions in Oman are also exploring palm-derived construction materials, underscoring regional momentum behind bio-based innovation.
Inaugurated by Abdulaziz Al-Ahmadi, deputy minister for industrial development, the three-day expo is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors and stands as the Kingdom’s largest dedicated showcase for wood and woodworking technologies. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Saudi exhibition industry in particular, and for the expo sector worldwide in general,” said Matt Denton, president of dmg events, which organised the expo. “What we have got here is a really hot and emerging market driven by the Vision 2030. There are so many great initiatives; what you really have to do is coordinate with suppliers and match them with local contractors to meet the demand.”
“Saudi Wood Expo is one of 39 events we are doing this year,” Denton added. “We are representing the market price where we can bring international exhibitors to showcase their products and match them with the local exhibitors and buyers. Here, people are looking for partnerships, and I think the market is booming because of that.”
With planning underway for more than 1,500 executive suites in NEOM — to be clad in Australian hardwood — the expo offers a strategic platform for suppliers to connect with buyers sourcing materials for upcoming projects. “Over the next three days, Saudi Wood Expo will support Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for sustainable and future-ready development aligned with international wood and woodworking sector standards,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president at dmg events.
The event also drew diplomatic attention. Poland’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Robert Rostek, attended the opening ceremony and praised the growing international interest. “I am very happy to attend the unique and big Saudi Wood Expo with the presence of the Polish companies,” he said. “They came for the first time to see the potential of the Saudi market, and I do believe the next edition of the expo will have more and more Polish companies.”
This year’s exhibitor lineup includes global players such as Germany’s Ilim Nordic Timber and Imos, Italy’s Freud and Rubner, and Austria’s CAD+T, which is showcasing integrated woodworking solutions that combine 3D design, automated production data, and flexible ERP tools. Local firms are also well represented. Al Tajweed and Amaleed are showcasing their expertise in wood design and finished products, while Fian Group, Iconic Trees — ColdWater Veneer, and Al Sharq Al Masiya are demonstrating the Kingdom’s growing capabilities in supplying specialised materials for construction, interiors, and furniture manufacturing.
“It’s the first day of the expo, and until now things are going well,” said Faris Omar Al-Jaafari, managing director of Amaleed. “We have good support from the organisers and are looking forward to good networking opportunities with suppliers, exhibitors and buyers. It’s a great opportunity for local exhibitors to showcase their products with famous international exhibitors. We are hoping to close contracts here. We specialise in solid woodworks, it’s all handmade and locally produced,” he added. “We have been in the market since 2003, and look forward to great collaborations.”
The expo will also host Building a Greener Future, a panel co-organised by ITCO and Egger, exploring how sustainable materials and smart sourcing are reshaping construction and design across the region.
