Material Health Open Innovation Symposium VI
The sixth annual Material Health Open Innovation Symposium brought together global leaders in sustainable design, manufacturing, and material transparency to explore how the building industry can move from disclosure to decisive action. Hosted by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, this year’s symposium marked a turning point in the movement toward safer chemistry in the built environment.
With more than 40,000 products now represented in the HPD repository, the industry has entered a new era of open data and accountability. But as Executive Director Wendy Vittori reminded attendees, transparency is only the beginning—the next challenge lies in using that data to reshape material health practices at scale. Throughout the event, speakers shared groundbreaking insights, real-world case studies, and collaborative tools aimed at transforming material reporting into meaningful innovation.
Keynote Presentation: “Chemical Hazard Transparency: A Strategic Imperative for the Building Industry” Bill Walsh, Fund Director of the Safer Chemistry Impact Fund, founding HPDC board member, and national leader in sustainable materials shared how lessons from other sectors, like personal care, can accelerate safer chemistry in building products.
SESSION 1 – Introduction & Keynote
The symposium opened with Wendy Vittori welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a day centered on collective progress. Mike Manzi, Chair of HPDC’s Board of Directors, reflected on the organization’s journey and the need for continued support as grant funding transitions into member-driven sustainability. The keynote address by Bill Walsh, Founding Director of the Safer Chemistry Impact Fund, delivered an inspiring message on advancing safer chemistry through systems change. Walsh shared data-driven strategies for eliminating hazardous chemicals, aligning corporate ESG goals, and creating cross-sector collaborations that drive market transformation. His insights underscored that chemical transparency is no longer optional—it’s essential to the health of people, ecosystems, and economies.
SESSION 2 – All-Star Case Studies
The second session celebrated innovation in action through four All-Star Award-winning case studies showcasing companies transforming material health principles into real-world results.
-
Christine Mullan (Shaw Industries) presented EcoWorx™ Resilient, a PVC-free flooring line designed for circularity and occupant health, built on Shaw’s decades-long commitment to Cradle to Cradle certification.
-
Kevin Kowal (TerraMai) shared the story behind Faux Sugi Ban®, a non-toxic, VOC-free alternative to traditional charred wood that combines beauty, performance, and sustainability.
-
Tom Ennis (Coal Tar Free America) chronicled a 20-year advocacy campaign that successfully eliminated toxic coal tar sealants from communities across the U.S., protecting millions from carcinogenic exposure.
-
Pelin Tezcan (Pliteq Inc.) highlighted Pliteq’s advances in acoustic and recycled rubber products that demonstrate how sustainable innovation and high performance can go hand in hand.
Together, these stories demonstrated that safer materials are not just feasible—they are already reshaping industries.
SESSION 3 – Ecosystem Roundup
In Session 3, the spotlight turned to the broader ecosystem of organizations and tools accelerating the shift to healthier building materials.
-
Barbra BatShalom (BuildingEase) discussed new digital frameworks that connect design and procurement to streamline healthier material choices.
-
Andre Baros (Acelab) explored how architects can integrate transparent data into design excellence.
-
Kathleen Egan (Ecomedes) and Terry Swack (Sustainable Minds) showcased cloud-based platforms simplifying sustainable product selection for thousands of manufacturers.
-
Rodolfo Perez (IWBI) and Wes Sullens (USGBC) provided insight into how WELL and LEED standards are evolving to prioritize material health, transparency, and circularity.
Collectively, these presentations revealed an increasingly interconnected network—one where open data, technology, and certification systems work together to turn sustainability goals into measurable impact.
SESSION 4 – Panel Discussion & Closing
The final session brought all ecosystem presenters together for a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Wendy Vittori. Panelists reflected on the critical need for collaboration across manufacturers, designers, and standard-setting bodies to overcome barriers and accelerate progress. They emphasized that alignment—between transparency tools, certification frameworks, and market incentives—is the key to unlocking the next generation of material innovation. Vittori closed the symposium by thanking attendees and reinforcing HPDC’s ongoing mission: to empower the building industry with data, collaboration, and leadership that make healthier materials the norm, not the exception.