Blog: Repurposing Minerals - Revitalising Resources for a Sustainable Future

In a world grappling with the urgent challenges of climate change and dwindling natural resources, the imperative for sustainable practices across all sectors has never been clearer. Yet ‘Circular Material Use Rate in Europe’ analysis by the European Environment Agency published in February 2024, indicates recycled material accounted for 11.5% of material used. This marks a marginal increase of less than one percentage point since 2010.

Through innovative approaches, we breathe new life into discarded minerals from local construction and demolition projects, as well as the waste sector as part of our commitment to raising resource efficiency.

These materials are used on site to provide a tailored mineral to help us transform an old landfill site into a thriving ecosystem. We also recycle and repurpose these materials to use as the building blocks to create new and exciting products. This dual approach creates job opportunities for our local community in emerging technologies and industries - a cause close to our hearts.

Reuse of materials is particularly vital in the construction sector. The World Economic Forum's 'Shaping the Future of Construction' report indicates that the sector is the world's largest consumer of raw materials, using over three billion tonnes annually.

From sustainable construction products and projects to diverse industrial and consumer applications, and biodiversity projects, our repurposed minerals are driving positive change. Our wide-ranging portfolio encompasses recycled soils, stony cohesive fill material, pipe bedding, and primary clay and ash products. These specialty minerals also serve as components in adhesives, resins, and mixed recycled plastic composites. Moreover, they offer notable advantages as a low-carbon cement supplement.

We use sustainable practices, whether through the supply of virgin minerals or repurposing discarded materials, all aimed at enhancing resource efficiency and promoting environmental sustainability.

Our expertise includes:

• Mining of primary materials into sustainable construction products
  • Low carbon green construction such as cement and brick manufacture, and green landscapes
• Manufacture of new product formulations
  • New product formulations which are tested for diverse properties, yielding tailored solutions for numerous industrial applications, agriculture, biodiversity, and new markets. These bespoke solutions, via our Alkaolin® brand, enhance performance and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
• Repurposing discarded materials from the construction and waste sector
  • Providing recycled sand, gravel, pipe bedding materials for concrete and block manufacturers
  • Providing recycled fill materials for construction projects 
• Assisting companies, developers, and local authorities with biodiversity net gain projects
  • Create and improve natural habitats through our biodiversity solutions
  • Enabling developers to gain access to third party BNG scheme biodiversity credits through our land management credit scheme.
• Making a positive contribution to the local environment and community
  • Restoring natural habitat and wetland on our brownfield site
  • Providing quality employment opportunities within a new and growing industry

We aim to partner with organisations who share our commitment to fostering a circular economy. Join us as we strive to elevate sustainable practices and contribute to a more environmentally responsible future.