Recycled aggregates take nearly 20% of UK market

Although markets for recycled aggregates have fallen during the recession, the sector still accounts for nearly 20% of the total aggregates market in the UK.

In its latest survey on the industry, the marketing consultancy, 671 BDS Marketing Research has identified around 530 static sites in the country with an aggregates recycling plant, and together these plants produced around 37 million tonnes in 2011.

Volumes had been in decline with the recession affecting both the amount of wastes generated and also the level of end use markets. However, the fall in recycled aggregates markets is thought to have been less than that suffered by primary aggregates companies in recent years.

Around a quarter of static recycling sites are located in south-east England, which also contains many of the higher volume plants. Nationally, BDS has identified 16 plants that produce over 200,000 tonnes/year. This level of volume is similar to that achieved by a typical sand and gravel pit.

“BDS has identified the top five recycled aggregates companies as 868 Tarmac, 725 Lafarge, Day & Sons, 1707 Aggregate Industries and Frimstone. Although these are well established companies in this sector, they represent less than 15% of the market. Taking the top ten recycled aggregates companies in total, BDS estimates that these represent just over 20% of the market. The consultancy has identified around 400 companies in the sector as a whole,” says BDS.

“The report includes details of the site address, company name, estimated volumes and other information for each of the sites. A separate spreadsheet includes office contact details to assist suppliers of plant and equipment in the marketing of their services to the sector.”