Sustainability Uncovered: Bio-based Materials in Construction
The construction sector is under mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions embedded in the materials that make up buildings. For UK businesses involved in construction, property development, or facilities management, this shift is no longer theoretical. Specifiers are being asked to justify material choices. Procurement teams face questions about embodied carbon. Meanwhile, clients are setting net zero targets that require rethinking how buildings are put together from the ground up.
Bio-based materials have moved from specialist application to serious consideration. A recent industry podcast episode examines why this is happening now and what needs to change for wider adoption. Published in September 2024, the episode brings together perspectives from a major manufacturer and a UK advocacy body focused on sustainable building products.
The discussion matters because it reflects a broader industry transition. Natural materials are no longer positioned as niche alternatives. Instead, they are being assessed as decarbonisation tools that can reduce reliance on fossil-based inputs while improving building performance.
Industry voices examine bio-based construction materials
The latest episode of the Sustainability Uncovered podcast, published by edie on 18 September 2024, focuses on bio-based materials and their role in what the programme calls "building with nature." The episode features Hannah Roughneen, R&D project innovation lead at STEICO, and Richard Broad, chief executive of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products.
STEICO describes itself as the global market leader in bio-based wood fibre insulation and a leading supplier of timber construction products. The company states that nearly the entire bearing and insulating building envelope can be built using its product range. This claim underscores how far bio-based systems have progressed beyond limited use cases.
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products is a UK non-profit that advocates for natural materials in the built environment. STEICO is a patron member of the organisation. Consequently, the podcast episode frames the topic around both product innovation and the broader market conditions needed for scale.
According to the episode description, the conversation examines what is driving demand for bio-based materials, what is holding them back, and what needs to change next. The discussion is positioned within broader industry debate about embodied carbon and material choice. Businesses are looking for ways to reduce dependence on fossil-based resources while improving thermal performance and occupant comfort.
The episode is available on major streaming platforms including Spotify and SoundCloud. It was produced in partnership with Kingspan, a building materials manufacturer.
Embodied carbon pressures reshape material specification decisions
Bio-based materials are gaining traction because they offer a pathway to lower-carbon construction through renewable feedstocks. These include wood fibre, hemp, and other natural or recovered biological inputs. Unlike conventional insulation or structural materials derived from fossil fuels, bio-based alternatives can sequester carbon during growth and reduce emissions during manufacturing.
This distinction is becoming commercially significant. Public sector procurement criteria increasingly reference embodied carbon. For example, suppliers bidding for government contracts worth more than £5 million must demonstrate how they will achieve net zero emissions across their supply chains. That requirement extends to the materials specified in construction projects.
Private sector clients are also setting carbon reduction targets. Property developers and corporate occupiers are measuring emissions not just from energy use, but from the materials used to construct and fit out buildings. As a result, specifiers face growing scrutiny over material choices.
Bio-based materials address this pressure by offering lower embodied carbon profiles compared to traditional alternatives. Wood fibre insulation, for instance, can deliver thermal performance comparable to mineral wool or foam-based products while storing rather than emitting carbon. Engineered timber products can replace steel or concrete in certain structural applications, reducing both carbon emissions and construction weight.
However, adoption is not automatic. Several barriers remain. Supply chain availability varies by region. Costs can be higher than conventional materials, particularly for smaller projects without economies of scale. Technical knowledge among specifiers and contractors is uneven. Some professionals remain unfamiliar with installation requirements or performance characteristics.
Regulatory frameworks also lag behind material innovation. Building regulations focus heavily on operational energy performance. Embodied carbon receives less attention, although this is changing. The government has consulted on proposals to require whole-life carbon assessments for major projects. If implemented, such measures would accelerate demand for lower-carbon materials.
Insurance and warranty providers also play a role. Some materials face perceived performance risks, even where technical evidence supports their use. Consequently, insurers may impose additional conditions or premiums. This creates a barrier for developers and contractors seeking to adopt newer materials.
What changed recently in the bio-based materials conversation
The podcast episode arrives at a point when the conversation has shifted. Previously, much of the discussion centred on whether bio-based materials could meet performance standards. Technical feasibility was the primary question. Now, the focus has moved to how procurement, standards, cost structures, and supply chains can evolve to support wider adoption.
This shift is visible across the industry. edie promoted a related webinar on bio-based materials, which examined how such materials fit within lower-carbon building strategies. The webinar agenda included supply chain resilience, thermal performance, material specification, circular economy principles, and occupant wellbeing. These topics reflect a move from proof of concept to operational integration.
Supply chain resilience has become particularly relevant. Reliance on imported materials exposes businesses to price volatility and delivery delays. Bio-based materials sourced from UK or European forestry offer a degree of localisation. However, supply chains for some feedstocks remain underdeveloped. Scaling production requires investment in processing capacity and logistics infrastructure.
Circular economy principles also feature prominently. Bio-based materials can be designed for disassembly and reuse at end of life. This contrasts with many conventional materials, which are difficult to separate or recycle. For businesses pursuing circular economy strategies, this characteristic is significant.
Occupant wellbeing is another emerging priority. Bio-based materials can improve indoor air quality by regulating moisture and reducing off-gassing of volatile organic compounds. These benefits matter for landlords, facilities managers, and employers focused on occupant health and productivity.
What UK businesses need to know about bio-based materials
Here are the key facts for businesses considering bio-based materials or tracking developments in this area:
- The edie Sustainability Uncovered podcast episode was published on 18 September 2024 and features Hannah Roughneen of STEICO and Richard Broad of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products.
- STEICO markets itself as the global market leader in bio-based wood fibre insulation and a leading supplier of timber construction products sourced from renewable raw materials.
- Bio-based materials include wood fibre insulation, hemp-based products, engineered timber, and other alternatives derived from renewable biological inputs.
- These materials can reduce embodied carbon, improve thermal performance, and support circular economy objectives by enabling disassembly and reuse.
- Barriers to adoption include supply chain availability, cost differentials, technical knowledge gaps, and regulatory frameworks that prioritise operational over embodied carbon.
- Public sector procurement criteria increasingly reference embodied carbon, particularly for contracts exceeding £5 million in value where net zero commitments apply.
- The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products is a UK non-profit advocating for natural materials in the built environment, with STEICO among its patron members.
How this affects procurement and supply chain planning
For businesses directly involved in construction or property development, bio-based materials present both opportunities and questions. Opportunities include meeting client carbon reduction requirements, differentiating bids for public sector contracts, and aligning with sustainability commitments. Questions centre on cost, availability, performance assurance, and technical competence.
Procurement teams should consider whether current specifications allow for bio-based alternatives. Many standard specifications default to conventional materials without assessing lower-carbon options. Revising these specifications to include embodied carbon criteria can open the door to bio-based products while maintaining performance standards.
Supply chain planning also requires attention. Lead times for bio-based materials may differ from conventional products. Some materials are stocked less widely, requiring earlier ordering or different supplier relationships. Understanding these logistics is essential for project planning.
Technical knowledge within project teams is another factor. Designers, quantity surveyors, and site teams need familiarity with installation methods, performance characteristics, and compatibility with other building elements. Training and knowledge-sharing can reduce perceived risks and build confidence.
Cost considerations vary by project type and scale. Bio-based materials may carry higher upfront costs, but total cost of ownership can be competitive when factoring in thermal performance, durability, and end-of-life value. For projects with tight budgets, phased adoption or selective use in specific building elements may be more feasible than wholesale specification changes.
Regulatory compliance is also evolving. While building regulations currently emphasise operational energy, future policy is likely to address embodied carbon more directly. Businesses that integrate bio-based materials now position themselves ahead of regulatory changes. Early adoption also builds experience and supply chain relationships that become valuable as demand increases.
For facilities managers and landlords, bio-based materials may improve indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction. This can reduce complaints, improve retention, and enhance property value. However, maintenance requirements and long-term performance need evaluation to ensure these benefits are realised in practice.
Industry support and knowledge resources for bio-based construction
Several organisations provide guidance and advocacy for businesses exploring bio-based materials. The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products offers resources on natural materials and connects manufacturers, specifiers, and policymakers. Its membership includes manufacturers of bio-based products alongside consultancies and industry bodies.
The government's industrial decarbonisation strategy recognises the need to reduce embodied carbon in construction. This creates a policy context that may support market growth for lower-carbon materials. However, specific measures such as mandatory whole-life carbon assessments have not yet been implemented at scale.
Trade associations such as the UK Green Building Council publish guidance on whole-life carbon assessment and material selection. These resources help businesses understand how embodied carbon is measured and how material choices affect overall building emissions.
Professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Building and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are developing training and continuing professional development on embodied carbon and sustainable materials. This helps close knowledge gaps within the workforce.
At SBS, we work with businesses to navigate these changes. Our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance helps firms measure and report emissions across their operations and supply chains. For businesses seeking to understand how material choices affect carbon footprints, this programme provides structured support.
Our sustainable procurement support also addresses material specification and supply chain decisions. We help clients integrate carbon criteria into procurement processes without compromising cost control or delivery timelines.
Where to find authoritative information on bio-based materials
Businesses seeking further detail on bio-based materials and their role in decarbonising construction can consult several authoritative sources. The podcast episode itself is available on major streaming platforms including Spotify and SoundCloud. It provides direct insights from industry practitioners and advocates.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes policy documents and consultation responses related to embodied carbon and sustainable construction. These resources outline the government's approach to reducing emissions from the built environment and signal future regulatory directions.
The UK Green Building Council offers technical guidance on whole-life carbon assessment, including frameworks for measuring embodied carbon in construction materials. Their publications help businesses understand assessment methodologies and benchmarking practices.
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products provides information on natural building materials, including performance data, case studies, and policy updates. Their resources are aimed at specifiers, developers, and policymakers seeking to increase the use of sustainable materials.
For regulatory context, the Building Regulations and Approved Documents published on gov.uk set out current performance requirements. While embodied carbon is not yet a mandated consideration, tracking updates to these documents helps businesses anticipate future changes.