Aggregate Industries’ ECOCycle to boost circular construction

Aggregate Industries, part of Holcim, has launched ECOCycle in the UK. The initiative, part of a global rollout by Holcim, aims to minimising waste and promote sustainable practices in construction.

ECOCycle categorises products that contain at least 10% Construction and Demolition Materials (CDM), ensuring that valuable materials are reused rather than discarded. This certification follows independent verification, ensuring compliance with the ISO 14021:2016 standards.

Products featuring ECOCycle can include anywhere from 10% to 100% recycled materials, including ECO Concrete, which is made with recycled concrete aggregates. This product is integral to the company’s sustainability efforts, alongside its ECO Mix range, which incorporates a significant percentage of recycled content. The approach also extends to plants capable of processing these recycled materials, reinforcing Aggregate Industries’ commitment to environmental responsibility.

The phased introduction of ECOCycle across five divisions within Aggregate Industries will initially focus on its asphalt and surfacing product lines. Notable products include Foamix, which contains 92% recycled content. Additionally, part of the aggregates portfolio will highlight products made from recycled concrete aggregates, particularly through Sivyer recycling hubs in London and several readymix concrete plants in the Midlands.

Kaziwe Kaulule, managing director of aggregates at Aggregate Industries UK, said: “Our goal in the UK and as Holcim globally is clear: to build new from the old.” He emphasised the necessity for innovative solutions amid rapid urbanisation, stating, “We are at the forefront of driving circular construction in the UK, and with ECOCycle, we can be a vital part in building places from existing places, recycling 100% of construction demolition materials into new solutions.”

In the UK last year, Aggregate Industries processed 1.5 million tonnes of CDM, recycling them into new products, including those containing recycled concrete. The company aims to increase this figure to over five million tonnes by 2030, highlighting its strong commitment to sustainability and efficient resource use.