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Materials & Sustainability

Sustainable materials, green building, LEED, embodied carbon, supply chain, and low-carbon construction.

135 stories found

The sustainable materials revolution continues its integration into mainstream construction operations, now demonstrating tangible economic performance alongside environmental benefit. Voltage Vessels' Eclipse X9—a composite material combining recycled PETG with basalt fiber for large-format additive manufacturing—exemplifies how circular feedstock strategies are moving from specialized applications into standardized production formats available in both pellet and filament configurations. Simultaneously, advanced manufacturing platforms like Continuum Powders' Custom Foundry Runtime are democratizing access to plasma-gas atomization technology, enabling specialty alloy development and small-batch production that previously required prohibitive capital investment. These capabilities directly enable the topology-optimized designs and continuous fiber reinforcement systems outlined in previous analysis, translating material innovation into distributed manufacturing capacity that construction professionals can access on demand. The convergence of recycled material feedstocks, computational design optimization, and accessible precision manufacturing infrastructure is systematizing sustainable material selection as a baseline operational expectation rather than a premium differentiation.

However, supply chain realities are creating immediate execution complexity. Construction materials prices have climbed nearly 10% year-over-year through May 2026, with monthly increases of 2.6% demonstrating persistent inflationary pressure across material categories. White House tariff policy updates are introducing additional uncertainty into procurement timelines and project budgeting, requiring construction professionals to navigate both material cost volatility and regulatory supply chain changes simultaneously. Despite these headwinds, the construction industry maintained solid hiring throughout the period, indicating that projects continue advancing even as material sourcing strategies become more complex. Projects succeeding in this environment are those implementing integrated material planning that combines durable, long-lifecycle component selection—like double hot-dipped galvanized fasteners and self-healing concrete systems—with real-time supply chain monitoring and modular design approaches that accommodate material substitution without compromising performance or environmental responsibility. The sustainability imperative remains operationally inseparable from economic performance; the differentiator is execution discipline in material specification, supplier relationship management, and design flexibility during a period of elevated cost and regulatory uncertainty.

Managing Engineered-Wood Flooring Failures
JLC Online·4d ago

Managing Engineered-Wood Flooring Failures

Contractors who installed engineered wood flooring expecting better stability in dry climates have experienced unexpected failures despite the flooring's multi-layer construction. The widespread issues have made builders reconsider their use of engineered wood products on job sites.

Materials
Voltage launches Eclipse X9, a Basalt-Recycled PETG Composite for LFAM
3D Printing Industry·Jun 12, 2026

Voltage launches Eclipse X9, a Basalt-Recycled PETG Composite for LFAM

Voltage Vessels has launched Eclipse X9, a new composite material made from recycled PETG and basalt fiber designed for large-format 3D printing applications. The material is now available in both pellet and filament forms after years of development.

3D PrintingMaterials
JLC Online·Jun 11, 2026

Monopour: The Evolution of ICF Construction

Monopour construction, which combines footing and stemwall pouring in a single operation, requires understanding industry standards like ACI 117M-10 tolerances to execute successfully. Proper planning and adherence to concrete placement standards are critical to achieving quality results with this integrated ICF construction method.

Materials
EDITOR'S PICK
Construction Materials Prices Surge 2.6% in May, Up Nearly 10% Year Over Year
Construction Executive·Jun 11, 2026

Construction Materials Prices Surge 2.6% in May, Up Nearly 10% Year Over Year

Construction materials prices jumped 2.6% in May alone, with costs climbing nearly 10% compared to the same month last year. Despite the price surge, the construction industry added a solid number of jobs in May, showing resilience in the hiring market.

MaterialsWorkforce
White House Announces Tariff Updates
AGC of America News·Jun 10, 2026

White House Announces Tariff Updates

The White House has announced updates to its tariff policies that may affect construction material costs and supply chains. Construction professionals should monitor these changes for potential impacts on project budgets and material sourcing.

Materials
Continuum Powders Opens New Platform to Specialty Alloy and Small-Batch Customers
3D Printing Industry·Jun 9, 2026

Continuum Powders Opens New Platform to Specialty Alloy and Small-Batch Customers

Continuum Powders launched Custom Foundry Runtime (CFR), a platform that gives manufacturers and researchers access to plasma-gas atomization technology for developing specialty alloys and producing small batches on demand. The service opens advanced powder production capabilities to companies that previously couldn't justify the infrastructure investment.

3D PrintingMaterials
OSHA schedules virtual hearings on proposed rules and deregulatory efforts
Safety+Health Magazine·Jun 5, 2026

OSHA schedules virtual hearings on proposed rules and deregulatory efforts

OSHA is holding virtual public hearings on over 20 proposed rules as part of a broader deregulatory initiative. Sixteen of these proposed rules focus on chemical substances including 1,3-butadiene and other hazardous materials relevant to construction operations.

Materials
Sciaky Returns to Nuclear with NX Atomics SMR Partnership
3D Printing Industry·Jun 8, 2026

Sciaky Returns to Nuclear with NX Atomics SMR Partnership

Sciaky is partnering with NX Atomics to use its electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) technology to produce components for small modular reactors. The collaboration targets cost reductions in both capital expenditure and ongoing operational expenses for SMR construction and deployment.

3D PrintingMaterials
California Water Agency Ramps Up Novel Deep-Sea Desalination Plan
ENR Construction Technology·Jun 4, 2026

California Water Agency Ramps Up Novel Deep-Sea Desalination Plan

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District will deploy OceanWell's deep-sea desalination pods in Santa Monica Bay this fall to produce fresh water with reduced energy consumption and minimal brine waste. The technology represents an innovative approach to water production that could offer construction and infrastructure projects a more efficient desalination alternative.

Materials
New Bioluminescent Materials Sustain Light Across 4 Weekly Cycles
3D Printing Industry·Jun 5, 2026

New Bioluminescent Materials Sustain Light Across 4 Weekly Cycles

Researchers at CU Boulder have created light-emitting materials by embedding bioluminescent marine microorganisms in 3D-printed alginate scaffolds that sustain glow for up to four weeks. This advancement in bio-integrated materials could have practical applications for construction sites requiring sustainable lighting solutions.

3D PrintingMaterials
California Water Agency Ramps Up Deep-Sea Desalination Plan
ENR Construction Technology·Jun 4, 2026

California Water Agency Ramps Up Deep-Sea Desalination Plan

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District will test OceanWell's deep-sea desalination pod in Santa Monica Bay this fall to produce fresh water with reduced energy consumption. The innovative technology generates less brine and salty byproducts than conventional desalination methods, offering a more efficient alternative for water production.

MaterialsElectrification
UT Austin Shrinks Semiconductor Printing to Research Scale
3D Printing Industry·Jun 4, 2026

UT Austin Shrinks Semiconductor Printing to Research Scale

UT Austin researchers have developed a more accessible method for semiconductor printing that scales down Extreme Ultraviolet lithography technology for research purposes. This breakthrough could enable more universities and institutions to conduct meaningful semiconductor research without the prohibitive costs of commercial-scale manufacturing equipment.

Materials3D Printing
California moves toward ban on artificial stone countertop fabrication
Safety+Health Magazine·Jun 2, 2026

California moves toward ban on artificial stone countertop fabrication

California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board unanimously approved a petition on May 21 that could ban the fabrication and installation of artificial stone countertops containing more than 1% crystalline silica. The move aims to protect workers from silicosis and other respiratory diseases caused by exposure to crystalline silica dust during stone fabrication.

SafetyWorkforce
Why Steve LaPietra is Committed to the Undersill and a Certain Kind of Nail
JLC Online·Jun 1, 2026

Why Steve LaPietra is Committed to the Undersill and a Certain Kind of Nail

Steve LaPietra, owner of Monmouth Vinyl in New Jersey, maintains 500 pounds of double hot-dipped galvanized Maze vinyl siding nails in inventory each month to support his commitment to quality craftsmanship. His distributor-level nail inventory reflects his detail-oriented approach to vinyl siding installation.

Materials
OSHA announces two meetings to prepare for UN’s GHS sessions
Safety+Health Magazine·Jun 2, 2026

OSHA announces two meetings to prepare for UN’s GHS sessions

OSHA is holding two virtual public meetings to prepare for upcoming United Nations sessions on the Globally Harmonized System for chemical classification and labeling. The first meeting is scheduled for June 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Materials
AEC Business·May 30, 2026

Building Services in Transition: The Evolving MEP Landscape

Finland's MEP benchmarks offer practical guidance for European engineers navigating green building and digital transformation in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. These standards help construction professionals align their practices with sustainability and technology modernization across the continent.

ElectrificationMaterials
Group files suit over EPA’s missed asbestos deadline
Safety+Health Magazine·Jun 1, 2026

Group files suit over EPA’s missed asbestos deadline

A coalition of organizations is suing the EPA for missing a mandatory deadline to regulate legacy asbestos and address its public health risks. The case will be heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

MaterialsSafety
Vermont finalizes landmark ban of paraquat
Safety+Health Magazine·Jun 1, 2026

Vermont finalizes landmark ban of paraquat

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed legislation banning paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson's disease in agricultural workers, making Vermont the first state to implement such a ban effective November 1. The ban addresses health and safety concerns for workers exposed to the chemical in agricultural and landscaping operations.

WorkforceMaterials