diff --git a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/material/operator.py b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/material/operator.py
index b4f4487bba..4578562b7e 100644
--- a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/material/operator.py
+++ b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/material/operator.py
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ class AddMaterial(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
     bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
     obj: bpy.props.StringProperty(name="Material Name")
     name: bpy.props.StringProperty(default="Default")
+    category: bpy.props.StringProperty(default="")
+    description: bpy.props.StringProperty(default="")
 
     def invoke(self, context, event):
         return context.window_manager.invoke_props_dialog(self)
@@ -127,10 +129,14 @@ class AddMaterial(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
     def draw(self, context):
         row = self.layout
         row.prop(self, "name", text="Name")
+        row = self.layout
+        row.prop(self, "description", text="Description")
+        row = self.layout
+        row.prop(self, "category", text="Category")
 
     def _execute(self, context):
         obj = bpy.data.materials.get(self.obj) if self.obj else None
-        core.add_material(tool.Ifc, tool.Material, tool.Style, obj=obj, name=self.name)
+        core.add_material(tool.Ifc, tool.Material, tool.Style, obj=obj, name=self.name, category=self.category, description=self.description)
         material_prop_purge()
 
 
diff --git a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/core/material.py b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/core/material.py
index 87a3ae9e0a..bd3eb87748 100644
--- a/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/core/material.py
+++ b/src/blenderbim/blenderbim/core/material.py
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ def unlink_material(ifc, obj=None):
     ifc.unlink(obj=obj)
 
 
-def add_material(ifc, material, style, obj=None, name=None):
+def add_material(ifc, material, style, obj=None, name=None, category=None, description=None):
     if not obj:
         obj = material.add_default_material_object(name)
-    ifc_material = ifc.run("material.add_material", name=material.get_name(obj))
+    ifc_material = ifc.run("material.add_material", name=material.get_name(obj), category=category, description=description)
     ifc.link(ifc_material, obj)
     ifc_style = style.get_style(obj)
     if ifc_style:
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/material/add_material.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/material/add_material.py
index f8cd351e03..ad05948a03 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/material/add_material.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/material/add_material.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from typing import Optional
 
 
 def add_material(
-    file: ifcopenshell.file, name: Optional[str] = None, category: Optional[str] = None
+    file: ifcopenshell.file, name: Optional[str] = None, category: Optional[str] = None, description: Optional[str] = None
 ) -> ifcopenshell.entity_instance:
     """Adds a new material
 
@@ -50,11 +50,16 @@ def add_material(
     Note that categories are not available in IFC2X3. This shortcoming is
     one of the big reasons projects should upgrade to IFC4.
 
+    Additionally, a material's description provides more information beyond 
+    its name or category. 
+
     :param name: The name of the material, typically tagged in a finishes
         drawing or schedule.
     :type name: str, optional
     :param category: The category of the material.
     :type category: str, optional
+    :param description: A description of the material.
+    :type description: str, optional
     :return: The newly created IfcMaterial
     :rtype: ifcopenshell.entity_instance
 
@@ -63,8 +68,8 @@ def add_material(
     .. code:: python
 
         # Let's create two materials with their respective categories
-        concrete = ifcopenshell.api.run("material.add_material", model, name="CON01", category="concrete")
-        steel = ifcopenshell.api.run("material.add_material", model, name="ST01", category="steel")
+        concrete = ifcopenshell.api.run("material.add_material", model, name="CON01", category="concrete", description="Garage Slab")
+        steel = ifcopenshell.api.run("material.add_material", model, name="ST01", category="steel", description="Corten Steel")
 
         # Let's imagine an urban concrete bench which is purely made out of concrete
         concrete_bench = ifcopenshell.api.run("root.create_entity", model, ifc_class="IfcFurnitureType")
@@ -73,9 +78,11 @@ def add_material(
         # "Style" has been specified.
         ifcopenshell.api.run("material.assign_material", model, products=[concrete_bench], material=concrete)
     """
-    settings = {"name": name or "Unnamed", "category": category}
+    settings = {"name": name or "Unnamed", "category": category, "description": description }
 
     material = file.create_entity("IfcMaterial", **{"Name": settings["name"] or "Unnamed"})
     if settings["category"]:
         material.Category = settings["category"]
+    if settings["description"]:
+        material.Description = settings["description"]
     return material