What does it really mean to build sustainably? INSE’25

What does it really mean to build sustainably? Is recycling enough - or should we return to natural, regenerative materials like wood, clay, and stone?

These were the key questions explored by Agnieszka Sznyk, President of INNOWO – The Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, during the panel discussion “Do sustainable materials in construction have a future? Poland and Europe in a circular transformation” at INSE’25 – Sustainable Construction: Modern Trends or Necessity?, held on 28 October 2025 in Warsaw.

The session brought together leading voices in sustainable construction including Paweł Wołejsza (Architect), Aleksandra Uhlarz (Saint-Gobain) and Lucyna Magda (QuinnRoss) — alongside experts from the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Warsaw Institute of Technology, represented by Artur Miros and Jacek Szymański.

Together, they discussed how Europe can accelerate its shift toward a circular, low-emission construction sector - one that balances innovation, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

As Agnieszka Sznyk, PhD highlighted, there’s no single formula for sustainable materials. True transformation lies in finding the right balance - between technological progress, local sourcing and ecological integrity.

From bio-based materials such as hempcrete, straw panels and natural composites, to innovative solutions like transparent lignin that could one day replace glass - the future of construction is being reimagined through the lens of circularity and regeneration.

INSE’25 went beyond traditional discussion - it created space for cross-sector collaboration, knowledge exchange, and systemic innovation.

💡 The future of construction is circular - and it starts with conversations like this.