How Sustainable Are Signage Board Solutions in Dubai?

Are Signage Board Solutions in Dubai Sustainable?

In the Dubai business world, signage board sustainability is one of the most crucial questions. With the UAE's Net Zero 2050 roadmap in mind and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, businesses in every industry are now considering the environmental footprint of all materials, processes and installations they order and install, including their signage.

Honestly, the sustainability aspects of signage board solutions in Dubai can be quite varied. There are really some materials and processes that are truly environmentally conscious. Others are not. Understanding the difference can make better decisions for businesses in Dubai for their brand, their budget and the environment.

We are a comprehensive signage company in Dubai, and we offer signage fabrication, outdoor signage and full signage solutions to businesses all over UAE. This guide is designed to explain how signage board solutions are sustainable in Dubai — and what to consider when you are specifying your next signage project.

What is Sustainable Signage?

What is Sustainable Signage Board in Dubai?

A sustainable signage board is one that has less environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from raw materials to fabrication to its lifespan in use to what happens to it at the end.

Sustainable signage is not an end in itself in the signage industry. It covers:

Material sourcing – the origin of the raw materials, and whether they are recycled or responsibly sourced

Manufacturing process — amount of energy and waste created by the manufacturing process.

The longevity of the signage board — the amount of time the signage board will last before it needs to be replaced.

End of life – whether materials can be recycled or whether they are sent to landfill.

Dubai's signage industry is still in its infancy when it comes to sustainability transition. There are materials and processes which are much more sustainable than others — and the difference between the best and the worst is considerable.

What are the most sustainable signage board materials in Dubai?

Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP)

ACP is the most popular signage board material used in Dubai signage industry. It has mixed sustainability attributes.

The positives:

• One of the most recyclable materials on earth, up to 75% of all aluminium produced is still in use today.

• If the aluminium facing is removed from the core, then ACP panels can be recycled at end of life.

• ACP's extended outdoor durability means fewer replacements over its lifetime, which means it has a lower life cycle environmental impact than a panel that is replaced every 3 years.

  
  

The challenges:

• The traditional cores in standard ACP are made from polyethylene, a type of petroleum-based plastic which is not easily separated from the aluminium for recycling.

• Mineral core fire-rated ACP is more recyclable and has a higher cost.

• If not managed properly, the coating and printing processes employed in the manufacture of ACP produce chemical waste.

• Sustainability rating for Dubai: Moderate — Good lifespan and recyclable facing, but core material makes it less recyclable.

Aluminium Signage Boards

In terms of sustainability, pure aluminium signage boards are far more environmentally-friendly than ACP signage boards, which have a plastic core.

Aluminium can be recycled an infinite number of times with negligible loss of quality and 95% less energy is used to recycle it than to produce it from raw ore.

For Dubai, it is important because:

There is an expanding aluminium recycling industry in the UAE. This recycling stream is a clean end-of-life pure aluminium signage board, with no separation problems.

Powder-coated aluminium signage boards are the ideal choice for outdoor signage in Dubai's commercial landscape, both for their durability and recyclability.

Dubai's sustainability rating: High — long lifespan, fully recyclable, contributes to UAE's circular economy goals.

Acrylic Signage Boards

Acrylic is a material used in Dubai signage for illuminated and decorative signage; its sustainability is moderate.

The positives:

Acrylic is recyclable – it can be ground down and recycled into new acrylic products.

UV protected grades mean long service life – no need to replace often.

Lighter than glass – lower transport emissions.

The challenges:

• Acrylic is a petroleum-based plastic, which is a very energy-consuming process to produce.

• Very limited infrastructure for acrylic recycling in UAE, with most of the end-of-life acrylic being disposed of in landfill.

• The signage industry in Dubai is facing a big problem with Acrylic waste generated from offcuts in sign making.

• Dubai: Moderate — in theory, can be recycled, but there is a lack of recycling infrastructure in the UAE at present.

  
  

LED Illuminated Signage

Lighted signs in Dubai have been revolutionized by LED lighting, enhancing their role in promoting sustainability. LED signs are significantly more energy efficient than the previous generation of neon and fluorescent tube signs.

Here are some facts about sustainability in Dubai:

• Compared to comparable neon or fluorescent tube signage, LED signs require as much as 80% less energy.

• The high number of hours of LED life equals significant maintenance and replacement savings: 50,000 hours or more.

• The extreme heat of Dubai means there is a great opportunity to use solar powered LED signage, some outdoor signage installations in the UAE are now partially or fully solar-powered.

• Switching to LED lighting is one of the most significant single sustainability actions that Dubai businesses can take if they have outdoor signage that is on 24 hours a day.

• Energy savings will be substantial and immediate for Dubai.

PVC Signage Boards

For short term signage and promotional boards, PVC is commonly used in the Dubai signage industry for indoor use. Sustainability wise it is the least desirable type of common signage materials.

The challenges:

• During the production of PVC, chlorinated compounds are released that are toxic.

• Most PVC signage ends up in landfill as it is not easily recycled.

• Toxic dioxins are formed during PVC incineration.

• There is not a lot of infrastructure to recycle PVC in UAE.

The positives:

Because of its low cost, PVC is also suitable for temporary or short-term signage where a more effective permanent material would be more expensive and need to be replaced more often.

For permanent applications, Dubai has a low sustainability rating, except for genuine use that is needed for a short-term period.

Why is signage fabrication more sustainable in Dubai?

What is the impact of signage fabrication on Dubai's sustainability?

There is a significant environmental impact associated with the fabrication process itself, apart from the environmental impact of the materials used. Sustainable signage fabrication in Dubai's signage industry involves

Reduce waste in the manufacturing process:

Quality signage fabrication companies nest patterns for efficient cutting of ACP, aluminium and acrylic sheet with minimal offcut waste. The production of signage in Ambert includes a CNC routing and laser cutting workflow with optimised nesting to minimise material waste from the outset.

Energy consumption during manufacture:

The energy efficiency of CNC laser cutting and routing is much higher than that of manual cutting. The most popular finishing process in Dubai signage fabrication is powder coating, which is a waste-free process when compared to the wet spray painting process that leaves solvent waste.

Transport and installation:

Locally fabricated signage boards have a lower transport carbon footprint than imported signage. Ambert creates signage boards in Dubai — cuts down on the emissions from imported fabricated signage from other countries.

So what is Dubai's Signage Industry doing about Sustainability?

What is happening with signage industry in Dubai in relation to sustainability needs?

The Dubai Signage industry is embracing the UAE's Sustainability goals in a number of ways:

Material specification shifts:

For permanent outdoor applications, more signage companies in Dubai are calling for aluminium-core ACP and pure aluminium boards for their end-of-life recyclability without sacrificing performance.

LED adoption:

Today, LED lighting has become the norm for signage in Dubai, particularly for outdoor and illuminated signage, not only for its sustainability, but also because it can substantially reduce energy expenses.

Dubai Municipality requirements:

Dubai Municipality's signage regulations are increasingly including material and energy performance standards, including for large outdoor signage and building-mounted displays. Adherence to these regulations is in line with UAE's sustainability goals.

Green building integration:

The rapidly increasing number of LEED and Estidama certified commercial buildings in Dubai has spurred the demand for signage solutions that can earn LEED and Estidama points towards sustainability in the signage sector.

The ways to keep Sustainable Signage Boards in Dubai.

What are the sustainable signage boards for my Dubai project?

Permanent outdoor signage:

Include pure aluminium or mineral-core ACP as opposed to standard PE-core ACP. Apply powder coating to wet spray. Use UV protected grades to ensure the longest possible service life and minimum replacement.

For illuminated signage:

Request LED lighting (not neon or fluorescent). If you're looking for something bigger and outdoors, consider solar options as an integration with your signage company.

For indoor signage:

Choose aluminium or acrylic instead of PVC if funds are available. PVC is OK for temporary promotional signage, but be sure to outline the minimum amounts required and ensure that the PVC is disposed of at the end of the campaign life.

You can ask your signage company:

A good signage company in Dubai should be able to give you a good idea of the sustainability of the materials they recommend to you and the processes they use to manufacture them. If your sign maker doesn't know the answers to the most basic sustainability questions, that's worth considering.

The best signage boards in Dubai are available from the company Get Your Signage Boards.

Sustainable signage is more than just doing the right thing for the environment, it is about making smarter and more cost-effective signage decisions that will last longer in the environment. The right material, the right fabrication process and the right supplier all play a part in signage solutions that last longer, cost less over their lifetime and fit Dubai's sustainability agenda.

Ambert is a full-service signage company in Dubai, which offers Dubai signage fabrication, outdoor signage and businesses signage solutions throughout the UAE. Call us to talk about your next signage project or to receive a quotation.

Frequently Asked Question

Are signage board solutions in Dubai sustainable?

The sustainability of materials and processes depends widely on the specific material and process. The most sustainable signage boards in Dubai are made from aluminium and LED-illuminated boards. ACP is moderate. PVC is the least sustainable option for permanent applications. The local production of signage in Dubai reduces emissions from transportation as compared to other import alternatives.

Which signage board material will be the most sustainable in Dubai?

The most sustainable signage boards are made from pure aluminium, which is infinitely recyclable and has a long life span, and is in line with UAE's circular economy objectives. For applications that need the flat and large format properties of ACP, Aluminium composite panel with mineral core is the next best option.

Is LED signage a positive for Dubai's environment?

Yes significantly. LED signage consumes as much as 80% less electricity than neon or fluorescent signage. The high use of outdoor signage in Dubai, many signs are running 24/7, LED lighting provides instant and quantifiable carbon reduction and energy savings results.