How do we move from promising innovation to widespread implementation?
That question sat at the heart of The Materials Matters Summit: From Innovation to Collective Practice, hosted by Living Future Europe and Brightworks Sustainability during the New European Bauhaus Festival in Brussels.
Bringing together policymakers, city leaders, architects, manufacturers, researchers and sustainability practitioners, the summit explored one of the built environment’s most pressing challenges: while healthier, lower-carbon and regenerative material solutions already exist, they have yet to become the standard across the industry.
Through a series of rapid-fire lightning talks followed by collaborative manifesto workshops, the summit examined not only what needs to change, but how Europe can collectively accelerate the transition towards a healthier and more regenerative materials economy.
The conversations reflected a growing recognition that material choices influence far more than carbon emissions. They shape human health, biodiversity, circularity, regional resilience, supply chains, and ultimately the future of our built environment.
Setting the European Agenda
Opening the summit, Pieter Staelens, Head of Sector for Sustainable Construction at the European Commission, outlined how European policy is increasingly recognising the central role of materials in delivering the Green Deal, housing affordability and industrial competitiveness.
From the revised Construction Products Regulation and Digital Product Passports to lifecycle carbon assessment, circular economy legislation and green public procurement, the message was clear: sustainability and competitiveness are no longer competing priorities—they are mutually reinforcing. As European policy evolves, material transparency, embodied carbon and circularity are becoming fundamental components of how buildings are designed, procured and delivered.
This policy context framed the discussions that followed, highlighting the opportunity—and responsibility—for industry to move beyond compliance and towards leadership.
From Conversation to Collective Action
Rather than concluding with another panel discussion, participants were invited to become co-authors of the conversation.
Facilitated by experts from Materiatek, NetZeroCities, Brightworks Sustainability and Gensler, attendees joined five themed manifesto labs to collectively explore the opportunities and barriers shaping the future of materials.
Working across topics including material literacy, regional resilience, healthy materials, implementation and market transformation, and data transparency, each group was asked to respond to three simple but powerful questions:
- What do we believe?
- What do we call for?
- What do we commit to?
The result was not a single statement, but five interconnected chapters of a shared vision—one that recognises that transforming Europe’s material economy will require coordinated action across policy, practice, industry and civil society.
The Materials Matters Manifesto
1. Material Knowledge, Transparency & Informed Decision-Making
Facilitated by Mauro Brigham, Co-Founder, Materiatek
We Believe…
Every material tells a story. Better decisions begin with better understanding, where information on origin, composition, health, carbon, circularity and social impact is transparent, accessible and trusted.
We Call For…
Greater material literacy through open knowledge platforms, material libraries and transparent product information that empowers everyone—from designers and manufacturers to clients and policymakers—to make informed choices.
We Commit To…
Championing transparency, asking better questions about the materials we specify, and sharing knowledge openly to build a more informed and regenerative materials culture.
2. Context, Local Loops, Regional Resilience & Collective Action
Facilitated by Thomas Osdoba, Managing Director, NetZeroCities
We Believe…
Regenerative material ecosystems are built through collaboration. Cities, industry, communities and policymakers all have a role in creating resilient local supply chains and circular regional economies.
We Call For…
Stronger partnerships, aligned governance, supportive procurement policies and investment in regional value chains that enable local innovation to scale.
We Commit To…
Breaking down silos, strengthening cross-sector collaboration and supporting local ecosystems that create long-term environmental, social and economic value.
3. Materials for Human & Planetary Health
Facilitated by Colleen Large, Materials Specialist, Brightworks Sustainability
We Believe…
Healthy materials are fundamental to healthy people, healthy communities and a thriving planet. Material choices should actively contribute to wellbeing rather than simply reducing harm.
We Call For…
Greater transparency around material ingredients, the elimination of harmful substances, and broader adoption of healthier material practices across design, manufacturing and construction.
We Commit To…
Prioritising material health in our projects, advocating for safer alternatives and embedding human and planetary wellbeing into every stage of the design process.
4. Implementation & Market Transformation
Facilitated by Estelle Schurer, Associate, Gensler
We Believe…
Innovation alone is not enough. Transforming the market requires aligned policy, procurement, investment and demand to make regenerative materials the default rather than the exception.
We Call For…
Policies that reward regenerative outcomes, procurement that values long-term impact over lowest cost, and stronger collaboration between designers, manufacturers, developers and public authorities.
We Commit To…
Embedding regenerative principles into everyday decision-making and using our influence to accelerate implementation across projects, organisations and supply chains.
5. Data, Disclosure & Market Transformation
Facilitated by Chris Forney, Principal, Brightworks Sustainability
We Believe…
Healthy, sustainable and just material selection should be intuitive and accessible. Better data should make better decisions easier—not more complicated.
We Call For…
Greater education and professional development to bridge the gap between rapidly evolving material science and everyday practice, alongside digital tools that simplify complex information into actionable insights.
We Commit To…
Making the impacts of materials part of our daily conversations and embedding transparency, disclosure and informed decision-making into the way we design, specify and build.
A Collective Commitment
From European policy and city leadership to product innovation, healthy materials and digital transparency, the five manifesto chapters reflected a common conclusion: the knowledge, technologies and solutions already exist. The next step is collective implementation.
Developed collaboratively during the New European Bauhaus Festival, the Materials Matters Manifesto is both a reflection of the summit discussions and a shared call to action—inviting everyone across the built environment to move beyond individual innovation and towards a future where healthy, regenerative and transparent material choices become the norm.
