New cross-sector network goes live to deliver low carbon, sustainable buildings across the UK and Europe

Reconomy Connect has announced the launch of a new cross-sector network – Root to Market Dynamic Marketplace by Woodknowledge Wales – to transform the use of regenerative materials in UK construction to deliver low carbon, high performance buildings. 

Now live and actively seeking projects, the marketplace aims to make regenerative materials the default choice in UK and European construction. The vehicle provides a curated supply chain, procurement support, and training. It also aims to address skills gaps and improve procurement and design approaches.

Construction is one of the largest sectors in the UK economy, with a turnover of £370 billion, contributing £138 billion in value added to the UK economy and employing 3.1 million people or 9% of the UK workforce.

While progress has been made to boost circular practices in the sector, regenerative materials remain a very small part of overall use. Defra data shows that while 94.3% of non hazardous construction and demolition waste is recovered, much is still downcycled into low value aggregates, limiting reuse and long term value.

Root to Market addresses this by aggregating demand, improving supply chain visibility, and supporting both buyers and suppliers to scale regenerative solutions. Regenerative materials include timber, hemp, straw and reclaimed steel, which reduce environmental impact and support biodiversity.

The network is supported by organisations across construction, architecture and engineering including Morgan Sindall Construction, HLM Architects, Lignum Risk Partners, Cundall, Planit and Elliott Wood. It is supported by Reconomy Connect in partnership with creators Woodknowledge Wales, an independent for public good community benefit society, and procurement specialist Value Match.

Jamie Roberts, divisional director for construction, housebuilding and infrastructure, at Reconomy Connect, said: ‘We are proud to support Root to Market Dynamic Marketplace as part of our mission to accelerate the transition to a truly circular economy. By maximising reuse, recovering value from materials, and preventing waste across the built environment lifecycle, we can help ensure resources are kept in use for longer and unlock the full potential of regenerative materials in UK construction. 

‘With the sector continuing to face fragmented supply chains and complex waste streams, Root to Market provides a vehicle to scale regenerative materials, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits.’

David Shields, co-founder of Value Match, added: ‘The marketplace is designed to build supply chain capacity rather than restrict it, assessing suppliers based on their maturity while actively supporting them to improve over time. This approach opens the door to a far broader range of organisations, including SMEs and regional producers, enabling more diverse and scalable participation across the industry.’

Gary Newman, managing director at Woodknowledge Wales, said: ‘Root to Market supports the UK’s climate and social value policy direction, including its net zero targets and national forestry and timber strategies, which identify the growth of a domestic bio-based economy as critical to national resilience.’