Circular Solutions

Sustainable recycling solutions for the UK Highway Network and construction projects

Principles Why Circular Benefits Solutions Case Studies Contact Us

We manufacture a comprehensive range of high-quality sustainable aggregates, asphalt and concrete products, formed from recycling waste generated from road maintenance. These sustainable products are designed for use in construction projects and across the UK highway network, delivering exceptional durability, reliability, and environmental responsibility, supporting the future of sustainable infrastructure.

The construction industry is a major contributor to global waste production, making sustainable practices essential for long-term environmental and economic benefits. Adopting a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle approach and moving away from the traditional ‘take-make-waste’ practices, supports the circular economy by minimising waste, lowering carbon emissions, and conserving valuable resources.

Principles of CircularitY

Reduce

Reducing waste at the source is the most effective way to minimise environmental impact and reduce waste in construction projects. By optimising recycled materials and improving design efficiency, without compromising quality, we can support the reduction on the reliance of virgin resources in construction projects. decreasing the overall environmental impact across the construction sector.

Reuse

Reusing materials from demolition and maintenance projects helps extend the life cycle of construction components. Demolition materials can be carefully extracted, refurbished, and repurposed for new projects. This reduces the demand for raw materials, decreases landfill waste and supports a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible construction sector.

Recycle

We believe in giving new life to used materials. Many of our products are made from recycled content, reducing the demand for virgin materials. This approach significantly lowers carbon emissions, decreases disposal costs and strengthens the circular economy by ensuring that materials are continuously repurposed.

Why use our Circular Products & Services

HOLCIM specialise in creating the maximum value in aggregate recycling, helping to drive change in our industry by delivering cost-effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable construction products.

Our process focuses on recycling key materials from highway maintenance and construction projects, including aggregates, asphalt, concrete, and tar. Without recycling, these materials would require specialised disposal. Instead, we reprocess and repurpose them into low-carbon products, reducing emissions and actively supporting the circular economy, adopting a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle approach.

This approach minimises reliance on primary materials, cuts down on construction waste, and promotes long-term environmental sustainability. By integrating Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles into construction practices, the industry can achieve significant environmental benefits, drive sustainability, and contribute to a more resilient and resource-efficient built environment.

The Circular Economy

A circular economy focuses on reducing waste and promoting the reuse of resources by keeping products and materials in circulation through repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling.

Our team is working together with our partners to embrace new ideas and technology to generate innovative solutions using recycled materials to protect the environment.

Visit our Circular Economy page

Benefits

Reduces construction and demolition waste sent to landfills
Lowers carbon emissions by minimising the need for virgin materials
Drive greater resource productivity
Reduces reliance on virgin materials and excessive resource consumption
Reduces energy consumption associated with manufacturing new materials
Improves sustainability credentials, enhancing corporate reputation and compliance with environmental regulations
Position the UK to better address emerging resource scarcity issues in the future

Circular Solutions

Foamix

Our low-carbon, cold-lay surfacing materials utilise 94% recycled aggregates bound with foamed bitumen and other hydraulic binders. This recycled product reduces waste, has an increased shelf life and has a lower density than asphalt so less material is required. Foamix is specified for Highways Works (SHW) CL.948 and to British Standards BS9228.

Recycled Aggregates

We provide high-quality, environmentally friendly recycled aggregate by crushing and screening concrete and asphalt for different applications, such as road construction and infrastructure maintenance. Recycled aggregate is a sustainable material that provides strength and consistency to a structure while reducing the amount of CO2 associated with the project.

HBM

A HBM (Hydraulically Bound Mixture) is a mixture of aggregate, water and binder, which is widely used in pavement construction. This material utilises recycled aggregates creating a lower-carbon, affordable and great sustainable alternative for construction.

RCC

Roller Compacted Concrete is a zero-slump concrete that is placed with asphalt pavers and compacted by vibratory rollers. This material requires no reinforcement, formwork or joints, can be trafficked early and is capable of withstanding heavy loads, specified for Highways Series 1000.

SMR Regen

Using Hydraulic binders such as Cement, GGBS and PFA we stabilise and improve many different waste materials so that they can be re-used as suitable products. Combined with our Foamix Asphalt or HBM, this material can replace all capping, type 1, Base and Binder layers in your surfacing projects.

Related Case Studies and News

LIDL Saffron Walden - Car Park Surfacing

Our team was tasked with surfacing the new 4,275m² car park, footpath and carriageway at a new LIDL store in Saffron Walden.

New MD takes the helm for contracting division

Holcim UK has announced the appointment of Kevin Murgatroyd to its Executive Committee, as Managing Director for its Contracting business.

Aggregate Industries extends legacy in Leicester with 20 million road contract win

News on a £20 million contract win in Leicester to resurface and maintain the city’s roads for the next two years.

Epping Rugby Club 3G Sports Pitch

As sports specialists we were the partner of choice to construct a new 3G rugby pitch at Epping Rugby Club replacing the existing grass pitch.

London O2 Padel Courts

We were privileged to support our client with the construction of 2 paddle courts at The O2 Arena London.

A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross - Revisited

Holcim UK worked as part of a large scale road infrastructure project on the A30, between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross.

A439 Warwick Road Safety Improvement Scheme

Warwickshire County Council launched the Warwick Road A439 road safety improvement scheme this year to significantly improve safety

Holcim UK Nears Finish Line for 100% Recycled Asphalt

Holcim UK is continuing to further its sustainability efforts with new advancements towards achieving 100% recycled asphalt.

Swindon Cycle Track

Appointed as the contractor of choice to complete the construction and surfacing of a large cycle track in Moredon, Swindon.

Circular construction path boosted with introduction of ECOCycle®

Aggregate Industries, part of Holcim, has demonstrated its clear commitment to make construction more circular with the introduction of ECOCycle® to the UK.

Goring Hall Hospital

As a specialist in the construction of car parks, we were instructed by Circle Health Group to begin the build of the new 35 space car park at Goring Hall Hospital.

Government plans to get Britain building welcomed

Holcim UK has welcomed the new Government's plans to Get Britain Building.

Waste heat efficiency roll-out helping to reduce carbon emissions

Holcim UK is implementing waste heat recovery systems at three of its UK asphalt plants. The installation commences Holcim UK’ goal of 10 implementations by the end of 2024, saving a total estimated 1,000 tonnes CO₂ per year.

Community Connections Strengthened in Waterhouses

Holcim UK contracting and asphalt division worked closely with Waterhouses Parish Council to supply and lay a new community path.

Whitgift School Car Park Construction

We were awarded the Design & Build of a new Car Park at the prestigious Whitgift School in Croydon as Principal Contractor.

New midlands asphalt plant rises to the surface

Holcim UK has opened a brand new asphalt plant to serve Staffordshire and the surrounding areas as part of a £9m investment.

RAP delight as recycled roads go circular

Tens of thousands of tonnes a year of planings from road maintenance schemes in London and the south east are to be recycled and reused as part of Holcim UK’ commitment to the circular economy.

A444 Griff Island

Holcim UK, working with MacDonald surfacing, helped resurfacing the A444 Griff Island near Nuneaton.

SEGRO Coventry- Car Park Construction

Appointed by our client to complete the surfacing installation at SEGRO Park in Coventry, surfacing the car park and Bellmouth entrance areas.

Waitrose South Harrow - Car Park Resurfacing

Appointed to resurface the 5,910m² area of car park at Waitrose South Harrow, utilising a low carbon solution ensured we could offer Waitrose a carbon saving of 3,540kgco2e on asphalt material.

Neptune Car Park - Refreshment of a Coastal Project

Holcim UK revisited Neptune Car Park at Herne Bay to refresh the coloured asphalt that they had originally laid back in the late 1990s with Valletta Surfacing Ltd.

Breaking new ground - Trial of New, Carbon Neutral Foamix ® Complete

Holcim UK has successfully completed the trial of its new, innovative Foamix ® product – a revolutionary lower carbon solution for pavement construction, repair and maintenance.