Cemex UK has officially launched its partnership with The Pallet LOOP, with the first load of LOOP’s circular-economy pallets carrying its core range of Rugby Cement products, dispatched from its flagship plant in Rugby, central England, to customers across the country. This marks a significant milestone in how the building materials supplier approaches its supply chain logistics.
The Pallet LOOP, part of BSW Group, is an award-winning circular economy pallet reuse scheme designed specifically for the construction sector. Its model addresses a long-standing issue in construction logistics. Historically, fewer than 10% of pallets in the sector have been reused, generating over 250,000 tonnes of wood waste annually. LOOP’s green pallets are built for multiple trips, are FSC-certified, and backed by a nationwide collection service that offers Rugby Cement customers financial incentives. This includes receiving between £2 and £4* for each pallet returned to The Pallet LOOP, providing a more cost-effective alternative than disposing of them via other means.
Cemex is the first cement manufacturer to adopt The Pallet LOOP’s circular pallet system, reinforcing a robust industry-leading commitment to sustainability and innovation through its broader Future in Action strategy.
Vicki Elliott, National Sales Manager for Bagged Cement at Cemex UK, said: “To help reduce CO₂ emissions, Cemex is actively prioritising circular economy principles across the business with a core focus on transforming many residues and industry by-products into valuable materials and promoting natural resource management. The Pallet LOOP’s business model mirrors our commitment to circularity with its award-winning reuse scheme. For decades, wasted and abandoned wood pallets have posed a real challenge across the supply chain. It is great to see such a fresh and dynamic approach effectively tackling the long-standing issue of single-use pallets. We look forward to expanding the service across the full Cemex portfolio in future roll-outs.”
Andy Williamson, Managing Director at The Pallet LOOP, said: “The departure of the first load of Rugby Cement products on our LOOP pallets is another major milestone for us, for Cemex and for the wider building materials sector. Our pallets are designed to be used, returned and reused again and again. By rewarding customers for every pallet they return, we’re making sustainability pay – helping companies in the construction industry lower costs while also reducing waste and their carbon footprint.”
*The Pallet LOOP offers £2 for pallets that are damaged or dirty but repairable, and £4 for those returned in good condition.
