Hanson UK, one of the best-known manufacturers of heavy construction materials, has changed its name to Heidelberg Materials, aligning itself with its parent company.
The company produces aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), a low-carbon cement substitute, and recycled materials to help build the infrastructure we need to live, learn, work and travel.
“The construction sector faces global challenges such as the impacts of climate change and the digitization of our industry; challenges that we are better placed to address as a strong and united group,” said Simon Willis, chief executive of Heidelberg Materials UK.
“Having a single brand and identity sends a clear and consistent message to our increasingly global customers and encourages collaboration across both geographic and organizational boundaries.
“It will allow us to work together to lead the field in reducing carbon emissions; promote the circular economy by recycling and reusing construction waste; develop digital solutions to bring added value to our customers; and develop sustainable and innovative construction materials”.
Decarbonisation of the built environment
Ready-mixed concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It is flexible, durable and strong; absorb CO2 throughout its life and is 100% recyclable, contributing significantly to the circular economy and providing materials with less incorporated carbon.
Heidelberg Materials is the UK’s largest supplier of Regen GGBS, a readily available and reliable option for reducing carbon incorporated in concrete by replacing CEM I. And, to facilitate the specification of low carbon concretes, the company has created its EcoCrete range, which contains Regen GGBS to reduce CO2 emissions associated with CEM I standard concrete by at least 30 percent.
The company is also advancing a number of innovative projects such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the use of hydrogen as a fuel source in production to help lead the construction industry towards net carbon emissions. zero carbon by 2050.
CCS is vital if net-zero concrete is to become a reality, as it will allow CO2 released during the production of cement, a key ingredient in concrete, to be captured before it enters the atmosphere. To achieve this, Heidelberg Materials is proposing to invest around £400 million to build a leading carbon capture facility at its cement plant in Padeswood, North Wales.
Grow the circular economy
Heidelberg Materials is committed to growing the circular economy, making it possible to build more with less. It recovers construction and demolition waste, recycling and reusing it to reduce the use of primary raw materials and offer the most sustainable products to its customers.
Going digital
The company also wants to lead the way in changing the heavy construction materials industry towards digitalization. It is developing digital solutions to bring added value to its customers, making it easier and more efficient to work together to create a simpler, safer and more sustainable future.
For example, the company has developed OnSite, a mobile application that allows customers to track their specific deliveries in real time, helping them manage their sites efficiently. And its SmartRock wireless concrete curing system, which helps speed up on-site construction and enables faster formwork removal, has been used in more than 10,000 construction projects worldwide.
Simon Willis added: “Customer demands, markets and competitors are changing rapidly and being part of a global team will allow us to make the most of our strengths.
“Our commitment to delivering high-quality, low-carbon construction solutions remains, and as we move into the future, we will continue to drive innovation and deepen partnerships with our customers.”
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