Offer 50% circular alternatives for our concrete products
Over 75% of concrete supplied by Heidelberg Materials UK exceeded our sustainable revenue criteria, up by 25% on 2023.
Overall use of cement replacements (GGBS) in our ready-mixed concrete in 2024 was 37.3%.
Our supporting circular economy commitments
Our progress
Zero non-production waste to landfill
The level of non-production waste to landfill in 2024 was 3.5%, down from 5.05% in 2023.
Nine million tonnes of recycled aggregate processed
We processed 725,000 tonnes of recycled aggregate (excluding Mick George and B&A Group) , up from 575,000 tonnes in 2023.
Development of circular economy strategy to include key milestones and detailed levers for achievement of KPIs
Acquisition of Mick George Limited and B&A Group completed. A1 services rebranded as Heidelberg Materials Agecroft and recycling hubs set up around the country.
At the end of 2024 we established our first circularity strategy for the business which included projects within the supply chain. These include a feasibility study to assess the use of SRF (solid recovered fuel) waste from Mick George in the kiln at our Ketton cement works, plus trialling calcined clay as a cement replacement within ready-mixed concrete. We also increased the use of SCM in the cement kilns and mills at our three cement works.
Further circular economy measures
Our progress
Tonnes and percentage of recycled materials used in products
Overall incorporation of RAP in asphalt in 2024 was 18%.
Tonnes and percentage of recycled materials processed in other applications
Metrics and definitions around recycled materials used within other applications continue to be developed as part of the recycling division strategy.
Sustainable revenue
Our headline sustainable revenue commitments
Our progress
Achieve 50% of our gross revenue from sustainable products that are either circular or low carbon
In 2024, the percentage of gross revenue from sustainable products was: Cement: 27% (low carbon) Concrete: 76% (low carbon) Aggregate: 0.4% (circular) Asphalt: 16.8% (circular)
We completed two important acquisitions of leading recycling companies in the year. Mick George Limited and B&A Group joined the Heidelberg Materials family in May, demonstrating our commitment to reaching net zero by conserving natural materials and promoting the circular economy by recycling, reusing and reducing the use of primary raw materials. A1 Services, which we acquired in 2022, also rebranded to Heidelberg Materials at the start of the year.
We opened a new recycling hub at our Appleford depot in Oxfordshire to recycle construction waste, diverting it away from landfill and processing and reusing it. It means the site is now a one-stop shop for customers, supplying primary aggregate, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt in addition to recycled material.
