Aggregate Industries Paving the Way to 100% Recycled Asphalt
The road to a more sustainable future is being paved by Aggregate Industries, a leader in the UK’s construction materials sector, is making significant strides towards creating a fully recycled asphalt solution.
This move aligns with their ambitious goal of promoting a circular economy, an approach that minimises waste by repurposing materials into new products. Their recent efforts have brought them closer to a ground-breaking milestone: achieving 100% recycled asphalt.
But this isn’t just about ticking a box. The company’s Asphalt division is at the forefront of this transformation, continuously experimenting and refining processes to ensure that recycled materials don’t compromise on quality or performance. This article takes a deep dive into their journey and the innovations that are set to reshape the future of road surfacing.
The Path to Circularity
At the heart of Aggregate Industries’ sustainable approach is their use of recycled aggregate materials. Instead of relying on natural resources, which are rapidly depleting, the company has turned to repurposing what might have otherwise ended up as waste. This innovative method has set new records for the company, creating a road surfacing material that holds up to the same rigorous standards as traditional asphalt.
One of the more fascinating aspects of this process is how the team handles non-hazardous, contaminated waste. This material, once carefully analysed, is treated, cleaned, crushed, and re-graded into asphalt aggregate constituents. From 20mm all-in aggregates, the recycled material is incorporated into the asphalt plant process, with 40% of the mix being recycled content—5% of which is recycled bitumen. This clever design ensures that the only remaining non-recycled component is the residual bitumen.
Michelle Addison, the Midlands Key Account Manager for Asphalt at Aggregate Industries, comments: “Throughout our entire business, we place circularity at our core, and in line with this, year on year, the proportion of recycled asphalt we use has increased.”
Her words underscore the company’s drive to find innovative solutions that don’t just reduce waste but eliminate it. With natural resources becoming scarcer, the construction sector is under pressure to embrace circular practices, and Aggregate Industries is leading the charge.
The Quest for 100% Recycled Asphalt
While Aggregate Industries has made remarkable progress, the final hurdle remains: eliminating the 3-5% of virgin bitumen still needed in the end product. Achieving this would mark the true completion of their mission to create 100% recycled asphalt. Addison reflects on this challenge: “While we’ve already for some time been regularly using reclaimed asphalt, we can now incorporate what was once considered waste material into the process. The only element left to conquer is the 3-5% of virgin bitumen in the end product, something that our experts have their sights firmly set on.”
It’s a challenge that requires not just technical expertise but collaboration across sectors. The drive towards decarbonisation, after all, isn’t limited to one company or even one industry. It’s a shared responsibility that demands ongoing research, investment, and, most importantly, the right partnerships.
Delivering Growth through Sustainable Thinking
Sustainability isn’t just an afterthought at Aggregate Industries—it’s a core pillar of their business model. Their vision is clear: to enable the UK’s transition to net zero by driving decarbonisation across the construction materials sector. This vision is backed by substantial investment in research and development, ensuring they remain at the forefront of sustainability-focused innovation.
The company’s commitment to sustainability has already yielded tangible results. Aggregate Industries offers a wide range of low-carbon solutions, with an unwavering focus on the circular economy. Their partnerships with sustainability-focused stakeholders are a key part of this strategy, fostering collaboration and shared learning across industries.
One such recognition of their sustainability efforts is their certification to BES 6001, The Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products. Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), this standard sets the benchmark for responsibly sourced construction products, further solidifying Aggregate Industries’ reputation as a leader in sustainability.
The Role of Holcim in the Bigger Picture
It’s worth noting that Aggregate Industries is part of Holcim, a global heavyweight in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Holcim, with net sales of CHF 29.2 billion in 2022, has its sights firmly set on decarbonising the built environment. Their vision goes beyond just reducing carbon emissions; it’s about improving living standards through sustainable building practices.
Holcim’s approach, much like Aggregate Industries, is rooted in circularity. Their broad portfolio includes products like ECOPact, the world’s leading low-carbon concrete, and ECOPlanet, a cement offering that promotes sustainable construction. These products, combined with their work in green retrofitting and energy-efficient buildings, are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Holcim’s commitment to becoming a net-zero company, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), speaks to their leadership in this space. With 60,000 employees working towards the same goal, Holcim’s global influence and local execution strategies are helping drive progress for people and the planet alike.
A Future Without Waste
As the construction sector looks to the future, one thing is clear: sustainability can no longer be an optional extra. It must be at the core of every decision, every innovation, and every product. Aggregate Industries, through their work with recycled asphalt, is setting an example that others will undoubtedly follow.
Their commitment to creating a circular economy, reducing reliance on virgin materials, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with recycled content are reshaping the industry. But there’s still work to be done. That final 3-5% of virgin bitumen may seem like a small hurdle, but in the race towards 100% recycled asphalt, it’s a challenge that the team at Aggregate Industries is more than ready to overcome.
Their work stands as a testament to what can be achieved when sustainability is placed at the heart of business operations. It’s not just about building better roads; it’s about building a better future for all.
