A New Era for Aggregate Industries with Holcim UK Rebrand
Holcim UK has emerged as a new force in the sustainable construction landscape following the rebrand from Aggregate Industries. This strategic transformation underscores the company’s commitment to revolutionising the highways sector with cutting-edge, environmentally conscious building solutions.
Bringing together 25 well-established brands under a single, cohesive identity, Holcim UK now operates across more than 200 sites with a workforce of 4,000 employees. This move not only strengthens its market presence but also enhances service delivery for customers seeking sustainable construction solutions.
Leading the Charge on Sustainability
At the heart of Holcim UK’s strategy is a resolute focus on sustainability, underpinned by four core pillars:
- Decarbonisation – reducing carbon emissions across all operations.
- Circularity – integrating recycled materials into product lines.
- Nature – enhancing biodiversity and promoting green infrastructure.
- Innovation – investing in research and technology to drive sustainable growth.
With the UK highways sector grappling with stringent Net Zero targets, Holcim UK’s commitment aligns with National Highways’ goal of achieving net-zero emissions from associated construction and maintenance by 2040.
Expanding Green Growth and Circularity
Holcim UK has set ambitious targets to increase the adoption of sustainable building materials. Currently, a third of its revenue stems from eco-friendly products, and the company aims to push this figure even higher within the next five years.
A major focus is circular product innovation, particularly in the use of Construction Demolition Materials (CDM). By 2030, Holcim UK plans to ramp up CDM usage from 2 million tonnes to over 5 million tonnes, significantly reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and promoting a circular economy.
Recent acquisitions, such as Land Recovery and Sivyer, further reinforce this commitment, bolstering the company’s ability to process and repurpose demolition waste into high-quality construction materials.
Strengthening Ties with Holcim Group
As a UK-based subsidiary of the Swiss multinational Holcim Group, Holcim UK is now better positioned to leverage global expertise, innovation, and sustainable best practices. The parent company, operating in over 70 countries with a workforce exceeding 60,000, brings world-class solutions that will enhance Holcim UK’s existing market knowledge and operations.
This global synergy has already yielded pioneering products such as:
- ECOPact – a low-carbon ready-mix concrete solution.
- ECOPlanet – a range of sustainable cement options.
- ECOCycle – innovative materials incorporating at least 10% recycled content.
Additionally, Holcim UK is deploying neustark technology, which permanently locks atmospheric carbon into processed demolition waste, creating sustainable new products.
Knowledge Sharing and Industry Leadership
Beyond product innovation, Holcim UK is actively shaping the industry’s sustainability roadmap. Its Holcim Sustainable Construction Academy provides free CPD-certified courses on low-carbon and circular construction principles.
Developed in collaboration with leading global institutions and architecture firms, these courses empower professionals to adopt best practices in sustainable design and engineering.
A Vision for Nature and Biodiversity
To demonstrate its commitment to environmental responsibility, Holcim UK has introduced a ground-breaking initiative: the Sustaina-billboard.
This eco-friendly billboard, positioned at its Greenwich site, is not just an advertisement—it’s a living installation. Designed with pollinating flowers, plants, and seeds, it actively supports local wildlife and biodiversity. Additionally, the billboard’s frame is made from low-carbon concrete and recycled aggregates, reinforcing the company’s sustainability ethos.
Holcim UK’s long-term vision includes establishing dedicated spaces for nature across its 200+ sites by the end of the year, aligning with its broader mission to integrate biodiversity into construction operations.
Charting the Path to Sustainable Construction
To provide the industry with a strategic framework for sustainability, Holcim UK has published its Making Sustainable Construction a Reality report. This comprehensive guide identifies critical focus areas, including:
- Decarbonisation – Strategies to cut emissions and transition to low-carbon materials.
- Circular Economy & Waste Reduction – Maximising resource efficiency through recycled content.
- Smart Construction – Leveraging digital tools to enhance project sustainability.
- People & Communities – Strengthening workforce sustainability and community engagement.
- Nature & Biodiversity – Embedding green infrastructure into development projects.
By sharing actionable insights, Holcim UK aims to drive industry-wide progress, ensuring sustainable construction becomes the norm rather than the exception.
A Bold Step Forward
Holcim UK’s transformation represents more than just a name change—it’s a bold commitment to sustainable progress. By aligning with Holcim Group’s global mission, embracing innovation, and championing circular construction, the company is poised to lead the UK’s highways and construction sectors into a greener, more responsible future.
