With the UK government targeting 1.5 million new homes by 2030 and retrofitting 19 million by 2050, the pressure is on to meet housing demands, while significantly reducing emissions. The built environment currently accounts for 33% of the UK’s carbon footprint—so how do we build better, and greener?

Bio-based construction materials are fast becoming a key part of the solution. Countries like France, through its RE2020 policy, now require 50% bio-based content in new buildings. In the US, the BioPreferred Program directs 70% of its spend towards construction. The UK must act now to stay competitive and climate-aligned.

Pioneer Group, in collaboration with the Biorenewables Development Centre, invites you to explore the role of bio-based materials in retrofits and new builds. This event brings together innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders to spotlight emerging technologies, discuss policy pathways, and identify high-potential materials that can help shape a low-carbon construction future.

Building on insights from our 2024 event “The Environmental and Economic Benefit of Bio-Based Construction Materials”, we’ll work to define clear targets and drive momentum for meaningful change.

Agenda
10:00 Arrival

10:30 Welcome Jen Vanderhoven, Pioneer

10:40 Keynote: Future foundations – Building with biology TBC

11:00 Presentation: New build bio-based materials Inventory Sam Patterson, Atelier Ten

11:15 Presentation: Retrofitting with bio-based materials Alex Sparrow, Hempcrete

11:45 Presentation: Technology Readiness of bio-based construction materials Mark Corbett, Biorenewables Development Centre

12:00 Case Study: Unyte Group – Retrofit Solutions Jamie Bartely, Unyte Group

12:15 Lunch

13:00 Workshop: What are the high potential bio-based materials and how to scale them

14:00 Coffee

14:15 Workshop: Targets for Bio-based materials into Policy Change

15:15 Summary of day

15:30 Close