Sometimes none of the reference databases contain a match that truly represents your material — for example a fibre blend with a specific composition, sourced from specific countries, and processed by a known supplier. The custom material builder lets you model that material yourself: you define the blend, the processing steps, and the transport routes, and Root calculates the impact of the full chain. The result is a reusable impact reference that you can match to your materials, just like any database reference.
Where to find it
You can reach the custom material builder in two ways:
From the References list. Go to Matching → References → Custom material. Here you'll find all custom materials created in your workspace, and you can create a new one or open an existing one to edit.
Directly while matching. When matching a material in the Matching section, you can start creating a custom material on the spot if no suitable reference exists. The builder opens with your material as the starting point.
Step 1: Set the material details
Every custom material starts with three details:
Name — how the material will appear in your references list and matching suggestions.
Unit — the reference unit for all impact calculations within this custom material (e.g. kg). All impacts are expressed per this unit.
Geography (optional) — the geography code associated with the material.
These details can be edited at any time afterwards via Edit details at the top of the builder.
Step 2: Build the blend with base materials
The Base material(s) block is the origin of the chain — it defines what your material is made of. You can add up to 4 raw materials to the blend. For each one you define:
Name — the raw material (e.g. cotton, polyester, elastane, nylon).
Distribution — the share of the blend, in %. The distributions of all base materials together must add up to 100% before the material can be completed.
Address — the origin of the raw material. This is the departure point for its transport route.
Impact reference — the database reference that represents the raw material's production impact. Each base material shows its 1 kg impact and a Complete badge once matched. You can edit or delete the reference at any time. Based on the raw material name provided, our AI suggestion algorithm will identify the most suitable reference for you to confirm.
The panel shows the total impact of the base materials and confirms when the blend is 100% distributed.
Step 3: Add processes
Processes represent the transformation steps in the chain — for example weaving, dyeing, or finishing. Click + Process at the point in the chain where the step takes place. A process needs:
Name — the processing step (e.g. Weaving).
Supplier name (optional) — who performs the step.
Supplier address — where the step takes place. This location becomes a node in the transport routes.
Consumptions
Each process can have multiple consumption sources. For each source, you select a Type and enter the Amount:
Electricity — choose the source from the electricity mix list (average mix, residual mix, green mix, grey mix, or specific technologies such as hydro or hard coal), set the voltage level (low / medium / high), and indicate whether the installation is capital owned. Amounts are entered in kWh.
Heat — choose the fuel or heat source (e.g. refinery gas) and enter the amount in MJ, kg, or m³, depending on the source.
Water — enter the amount in litres or m³.
Add as many sources as the process requires with + Source. Each source shows its individual impact, and the process header shows the total impact of all sources combined.
Step 4: Define the transport routes
Routes connect the chain together: from each base material's origin to the first process, between processes, and on to the final arrival address. Routes become available once you have created a process — the builder then knows the departure and arrival points to connect.
For each route you can:
Generate it with the AI Route Assistant. Choose your primary transport mode and let the assistant suggest the most accurate route between your departure and arrival facilities, including realistic intermediate stops (e.g. origin → airport → supplier).
Build it manually. Insert transport legs one by one, choosing the transport mode for each leg (e.g. aircraft, commercial vehicle, truck/lorry) and adding intermediate addresses where the mode changes.
Each route shows its number of transport legs, total distance, and total impact, and each leg shows its individual distance and impact.
Step 5: Set the final arrival address
To complete the supply chain, enter the final arrival address — where the finished material is stocked. This last address requires a final route from the last process address. Once the chain is complete from origins to final delivery, the material is marked Complete and its total impact per reference unit is shown at the top of the builder.
How the impact is calculated
The total impact of a custom material is the sum of:
the production impact of each base material (its impact reference × its share of the blend),
the consumption impacts of each process (electricity, heat, and water sources),
the transport impacts of every route leg in the chain,
all expressed per the reference unit you defined in the material details. Impacts are shown live throughout the builder, so you can see the contribution of each element as you build.
Frequently asked questions
How many raw materials can a blend contain? Up to 4 base materials. Their distributions must together add up to 100%.
Why can't I create a route yet? Routes only become available after you've added at least one process. The process address gives the builder the arrival point it needs to connect a route to.
Can I reuse a custom material across products? Yes. Once complete, the custom material behaves like any other impact reference and can be matched wherever it applies. All custom materials are listed under Matching → References → Custom material. When matching materials, press the choose impact reference button and search in the Custom Material tab
What does the Documentation button do? It opens the documentation view for the custom material, where the user can record any logic, documentation, and notes regarding the proxy created, supplying a clear explanation of the rationale followed and increasing traceability.