The global demand for wood is expected to grow by 54% between 2010 and 2050, according to a study by the World Resources Institute. However, despite the growing need for sustainable building materials, only 5-10% of wood gets reused currently, with most ending up in landfills or turned into mulch. Cambium is working to change this by building a supply chain that connects those with already-used wood to businesses and individuals who need it.
The Problem with Wood Recycling
While some building materials like steel are consistently recycled back into the supply chain, wood does not follow the same pattern. This is largely due to a lack of infrastructure for collecting, processing, and distributing recycled wood. As a result, much of the world’s wood waste ends up being discarded or repurposed in ways that don’t make efficient use of its resources.
Cambium’s Solution
Cambium co-founder and CEO Ben Christensen recently spoke with TechCrunch’s Found podcast about his company’s mission to build a more sustainable wood supply chain. "We’re building a better value chain where you can use local material, you can use salvaged material, and all of that is connected through our technology," he said. "So that’s what we do is we deliver carbon smart wood, locally salvaged wood, tracked on our technology, to large buyers to build buildings, to build furniture, to use any sort of thing that you use wood for."
Christensen noted that demand for more sustainable wood has been growing in recent years, but before Cambium there wasn’t a good system for finding and utilizing recycled wood. "We fix that," he said. "We go to businesses with recycled wood to sell and show them the demand for their products while also selling our software that helps with inventory management and point of sale to these suppliers."
Benefits of Cambium’s Approach
By connecting buyers with suppliers of recycled wood, Cambium provides a number of benefits. First, it gives buyers better visibility into where their wood is coming from and can further reduce their carbon footprint by selecting a local vendor. Second, it helps to create a more efficient and cost-competitive supply chain for builders and manufacturers.
Christensen also noted that the company has benefited from a generational shift in the construction industry. As older generations of contractors and builders retire, younger professionals are looking for ways to adopt new technologies and be more environmentally friendly.
The Impact of Cambium’s Work
Cambium’s impact is not limited to the supply chain itself. By providing a platform for buying and selling recycled wood, the company is also helping to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in local communities.
Furthermore, by promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste in the construction industry, Cambium is contributing to a broader effort to mitigate climate change. As Christensen noted, "People like really, really want to buy this material, we’ve been really overwhelmed with demand there and that helps us get sourcing and volume onto the platform in order to go and meet that demand."
Cambium’s Future Plans
Founded in 2019 and based in Washington, D.C., Cambium has raised over $8.5 million in funding from venture capital firms including The Alumni Fund, Gaingels, and MaC Venture Capital. With this investment, the company plans to continue building out its platform and expanding its reach into new markets.
As Christensen noted, "We’re just getting started." With a strong team and a clear vision for a more sustainable future, Cambium is poised to make a significant impact in the construction industry and beyond.
Conclusion
Cambium’s work represents an important step forward in the effort to create a more sustainable wood supply chain. By connecting buyers with suppliers of recycled wood and providing tools for efficient inventory management, the company is helping to reduce waste and promote environmentally friendly practices in the construction industry. As demand for sustainable building materials continues to grow, Cambium is well-positioned to meet this need and make a lasting impact on the environment.
About the Authors
Rebecca Szkutak is a senior reporter at TechCrunch, covering venture capital trends and startups. She previously covered the same beat for Forbes and the Venture Capital Journal.
Dominic-Madori Davis is a senior venture capital and startup reporter at TechCrunch. He is based in New York City and can be reached on Signal at +1 (646)-831-7565.
