Builders, developers, and cities are facing growing pressure to reduce waste and lower emissions across construction projects. That pressure helps explain why Holcim is making recycled building materials a core part of its business strategy. With new acquisitions in Europe, the company is expanding its ability to turn construction and demolition waste into reusable materials.
Holcim’s latest deals add recycling operations in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Combined, these businesses bring about 1.3 million tonnes of permitted annual processing capacity, allowing more demolished concrete, asphalt, and other materials to be recovered and reused rather than sent to landfill.
“The future of construction is circular,” said Holcim CEO Miljan Gutovic. “And I look forward to realizing that future together with our new colleagues.”
The strategy centers on circular construction, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible. Waste from demolition and renovation projects is processed into recycled aggregates and other inputs that can be used again in roads, buildings, and infrastructure. This approach helps reduce reliance on virgin raw materials while cutting disposal costs and emissions tied to traditional material production.
Holcim says the acquisitions will also help scale its ECOCycle® platform, which connects local recycling hubs with nearby construction activity. By placing recycling operations closer to urban job sites, the company aims to lower transport emissions and improve supply reliability for contractors working under tight timelines.
The shift is already delivering measurable results. In the first nine months of 2025, Holcim recycled 5.6 million tonnes of construction and demolition materials, representing roughly a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. The company’s longer-term goal is to recycle more than 20 million tonnes annually by 2030, making recycling a major driver of growth rather than a secondary service.
For the construction industry, this expansion could ease supply constraints and support sustainability targets that are becoming standard across public and private projects. As waste diversion rules tighten, having recycled materials available at scale may also help projects move forward faster.
Holcim’s approach signals a broader shift underway in construction. Circular construction is moving beyond pilot programs and into large-scale operations. By investing now, the company is positioning recycled building materials as a normal part of how future projects get built.
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