Global demand for wood could grow by 54% between 2010 and 2050, according to a study by the World Resources Institute. While some construction materials such as steel are systematically recycled in the supply chain, this is not the case for wood. Cambium hopes to solve this problem.
Cambium seeks to build the supply chain that prevents wood waste by connecting those who already have used wood with the businesses and people who need it. Cambium co-founder and CEO Ben Christensen recently told TechCrunch’s Found podcast that only 5-10% of wood is currently reused, with most ending up in landfills or turned into mulch.
“We’re building a better value chain where you can use local materials, you can use reclaimed materials, and it’s all connected through our technology,” Christensen said. “So that’s what we’re doing is delivering carbon smart wood, locally reclaimed wood, tracked through our technology, to large buyers to build buildings and furniture to use any type of thing for which you use wood. And we do it in a really efficient and competitive way.
Demand for more sustainable wood has increased in recent years, Christensen said, but before Cambium, there wasn’t a good system for finding recycled wood. Cambium fixes that and more, he said. The company reaches out to companies that sell recycled wood and shows them the demand for their products while also selling these suppliers its software that helps with inventory management and point of sale.
Cambium also helps buyers have better visibility into where their wood comes from and can further reduce their carbon footprint by selecting a local supplier, Christensen said.
“People really, really want to buy this stuff, we’ve been really overwhelmed by the demand there and it’s helping us get supply and volume on the platform to meet that demand,” said Christensen.
Christensen added that the company has also benefited from a generational shift as construction companies and people working in woodworking trades retire and the next generation of people in these fields look to adopt technology and to be more respectful of the environment.
Cambium was founded in 2019 and is based in Washington DC. The startup has raised more than $8.5 million in funding from venture capital firms including The Alumni Fund, Gaingels, and MaC Venture Capital, among others.
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