Building with Biomass: A New American Harvest

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry but emphasizes the potential for significant economic growth and job creation through the adoption of bio-based building products. Core Insights - The manufacturing of building products from upcycled biomass can address the urgent need for affordable housing, create high-quality jobs, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and storing carbon [8][21][22]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The United States requires 4 to 7 million new affordable and healthy homes, and the current construction practices contribute to 30 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Upcycling biomass into building products presents a viable solution to these challenges [9][11][12][18]. Climate Impacts of Bio-Based Products in Housing - The report highlights that using bio-based building products can significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions, with estimates suggesting that up to 80 million tons of embodied carbon are generated annually from new low-rise home construction [29][30]. Economic Impacts of Bio-Based Building Product Manufacturing - The current market for building products is valued at $88.8 billion, with a significant portion being domestically manufactured. The report suggests that increasing bio-based product manufacturing could create approximately 42,000 direct jobs and generate$79 billion in economic activity [81][88]. Projecting the Growth of Bio-Based Building Products - The report models three adoption scenarios for bio-based products by 2050, projecting that even in a low-adoption scenario, 100 million metric tons of CO2e could be stored profitably in new residential buildings [60][62]. Product Cost Implications - Many bio-based products are at or near cost parity with conventional products, indicating that transitioning to these materials need not increase housing costs significantly [66][70]. Call to Action - The report calls for a coordinated effort among stakeholders, including builders, manufacturers, and policymakers, to scale the adoption of bio-based building products to meet housing demands and environmental goals [32][88].