Projecting the long-term trajectory of the industry involves envisioning a fundamentally different material and building landscape, and the Green Building Materials Industry Projection points towards a future where buildings are not just less harmful but actively beneficial. The forecast period will witness the mainstreaming of "carbon-storing" materials, such as mass timber (cross-laminated timber, glulam), which sequesters carbon for the life of the building. We will see the development of bio-based alternatives for a wide range of conventional materials, from insulation made from hemp or mycelium to structural composites derived from agricultural waste. The use of advanced digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) integrated with lifecycle assessment (LCA) data, will allow designers to optimize material selection for minimal environmental impact from the earliest design stages. "Smart" materials that can adapt to environmental conditions, such as dynamic glazing or phase-change materials for thermal regulation, will become more prevalent. This projection is one of an industry that is not just supplying materials but is an integral partner in creating a regenerative built environment.

A critical trend shaping the market is the intense focus on transparency and the widespread adoption of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), a key concept in current Green Building Materials Trends. One of the most significant trends is the proliferation of EPDs, which are becoming a baseline requirement for specifying materials in many green building projects. This demand for transparency is pushing manufacturers to invest in lifecycle assessment and to innovate to reduce the environmental impact of their products. Another major trend is the rise of "material health" as a key priority, driven by standards like the Living Building Challenge's Red List, which bans a wide range of harmful chemicals. This is driving the development of products verified to be free from VOCs, phthalates, halogenated flame retardants, and other substances of concern. There is also a strong trend towards "locally sourced" materials, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional economies. Furthermore, the concept of "design for deconstruction" is gaining traction, with materials and connections designed to allow for easy disassembly and reuse at the end of a building's life, closing the material loop. These trends point towards an industry that is becoming more transparent, more health-conscious, and more focused on true circularity.