Urban Reblok’d partners with Vicinity Ventures to scale recycled building materials

Urban Reblok’d said it has partnered with Vicinity Ventures as the Roanoke-based circular-materials company pushes to expand plastics processing and develop recycled products for construction markets. The move supports plans for its first production hub in Roanoke and a broader hub model that could be replicated elsewhere.

Why it matters: - Urban Reblok’d is trying to turn hard-to-recycle plastic into building products with commercial uses. - The partnership could help the Roanoke company move from processing recovered plastics into manufacturing recycled plastic pellets, blocks and pavers. - The plan targets construction markets, where durable recycled materials could replace some landfill-bound plastics.

What happened: - Urban Reblok’d announced a partnership with Vicinity Ventures on Sept. 30, 2026. - The agreement is tied to Urban Reblok’d’s plans to expand plastics processing and develop recycled-material products for building and construction markets. - Urban Reblok’d is based in Southwest Virginia and Roanoke, Va. - Vicinity Ventures is based in Greenville, S.C.

The details: - Urban Reblok’d processes recovered plastics and is developing operations to produce recycled plastic pellets and durable building materials. - The company says it accepts all plastic types, #1 through #7, including hard-to-recycle plastics that are often sent to landfills. - Urban Reblok’d plans to establish its first production hub in Roanoke. - The company is also developing a repeatable hub model that could be used in additional markets over time. - Near-term priorities include new equipment, product development and growing the customer base in building and construction markets. - Vicinity Ventures works with startups and local businesses in more than 20 markets and connects owners with experienced advisors and regional business networks. - Urban Reblok’d was recently featured in Virginia Business magazine’s StartVirginia 2026 special issue, which highlighted 12 Virginia startups recognized for innovation. - Joseph Brozovsky, Urban Reblok’d president and co-founder, said the partnership supports efforts to develop operations, expand product capabilities and advance plans for the first production hub in Roanoke.

Between the lines: - The partnership suggests Urban Reblok’d wants outside support as it shifts from materials recovery toward a more scalable manufacturing model. - Accepting the full range of plastic resin codes gives the company a broader feedstock pool than many recyclers, which may help it build a more flexible supply chain. - The hub strategy points to an effort to package the Roanoke operation into a model that can be duplicated in other markets.

What's next: - Urban Reblok’d will pursue equipment purchases, product development and customer growth in construction markets. - The company plans to move ahead with its first production hub in Roanoke. - Future expansion could follow if the hub model proves repeatable in other markets.

The bottom line: - Urban Reblok’d is using the Vicinity Ventures partnership to accelerate a transition from plastic recovery to recycled building-material manufacturing.