Building with Biology: Bio-Based Materials for Retrofit & New Build

Building with Biology: Bio-Based Materials for Retrofit & New Build

Pioneer Group & the Biorenewables Development Centre, invites you to explore the role of bio-based materials in retrofits & new builds.

By Pioneer Group

Date and time

Monday, September 1 · 10am - 3:30pm GMT+1

Location

Wilton Centre - Pioneer Group

Redcar Cleveland TS10 4RF United Kingdom

About this event

  • Event lasts 5 hours 30 minutes

Why Attend?


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.


Important: Please note this Eventbrite listing is for visibility only.
To attend, you must register via our official event page:
👉 thepioneergroup.com/pioneer-presents


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


👉 Please register via our official event page
thepioneergroup.com/pioneer-presents

Tickets here on Eventbrite are not valid for entry — this page is just for visibility.

Organized by

Curated events tackling life sciences’ greatest challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Pioneer Presents is our flagship event series, bringing together the brightest minds from science, technology, and industry to share groundbreaking ideas, inspire innovation, and spark meaningful discussions. Through in-person events, online panels, and roundtable sessions, we connect experts, thought-leaders, and visionaries from the Pioneer community, our wider network, and beyond.

Together, we form a dynamic collective of ambitious, like-minded individuals committed to driving real-world impact and shaping the future.

FreeSep 1 · 10:00 AM GMT+1