Aggregates, essential materials for our daily lives

By PR influence Published on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 19:36

Photo credits : UNICEM

Summary for decision-makers

Aggregates, sourced from natural, recycled, or marine rocks, are the most widely consumed mineral resource in France, essential for the construction of infrastructure such as housing, schools, hospitals, and roads. In addition to their fundamental role in concrete and civil engineering structures, aggregates contribute to water management, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development projects, thus affirming their central role in a circular and local economy. Today, 27% of aggregate needs are covered by recycled materials, demonstrating a commitment to responsible resource management.

The quarries that exploit these aggregates are subject to strict regulations and strive to minimize environmental impacts while promoting harmonious coexistence with local residents. In consultation with local authorities, the exploited land is redeveloped for new uses, such as agriculture and biodiversity. The UNPG (National Union of Aggregate Producers) is intensifying its awareness-raising efforts to inform professionals and the general public about the importance and commitments associated with this vital resource, thus highlighting their territorial roots.

Whether used to build our homes, lay our roads or preserve our environment, aggregates, more often called rocks, sands and gravels, are ubiquitous yet little-known materials.
On the occasion of a new awareness campaign, the National Union of Aggregate Producers (UNPG), a member of the National Union of Quarrying and Construction Materials Industries (UNICEM), wishes to recall their central role in regional planning and the multiple uses to which they contribute.

Aggregates are at the heart of land use planning.

ESSENTIAL MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Aggregates are at the heart of land use planning.

« Derived from natural, recycled, or marine rock, aggregates are the most consumed mineral resource in France. Essential to our daily lives, they are used in the composition of concrete, road surfacing, and numerous civil engineering structures. Without them, there would be no housing, hospitals, schools, bridges, roads, or cycle paths. Nor would there be urban development, public furniture, or sports fields. " explains Olivier Viano, Secretary General of the UNPG.

VARIED APPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Beyond construction, aggregates play a little-known but essential role in areas as varied as:

Water management: filters in treatment plants, soil drainage, rainwater retention facilities.
Ecosystem restoration: preservation of biodiversity (reefs, wastelands), protection of coastlines (beach replenishment), sustainable soil management (banks, reconstituted soils).

A LOCAL RESOURCE SERVING THE TERRITORIES

Aggregates are extracted, processed, and recycled as close as possible to where they are needed, limiting transportation and promoting local employment. Each year, more than 400 million tons are needed in France to meet local needs. In France, 27% of aggregate needs are currently covered by recycled aggregates, derived from the reuse of deconstruction materials. This is a virtuous approach that fully contributes to the development of a circular economy for construction materials. " explains Olivier Viano.

RESPONSIBLE CAREER MANAGEMENT

Aggregates are produced in quarries that are operated sustainably, governed by strict regulations and voluntary industry initiatives. From the outset, sites are designed to minimize impacts.
environmental, preserve water resources, reduce emissions and promote harmonious coexistence with local residents.
The exploited land is redeveloped to accommodate agricultural, natural, or recreational uses, in consultation with local communities. Quarries also provide numerous useful services to society. For example, they house solar panels, preserve water resources, support cultural projects, and promote biodiversity.

INFORM AND RAISE AWARENESS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND

In a context of strong societal expectations around the preservation of resources and the living environment, the UNPG is strengthening its information actions with prescribers, elected officials and the general public, in order to better raise awareness of the uses, challenges and commitments of aggregate producers.

« Aggregates are the foundation of any development project. Promoting them means, above all, making their usefulness better understood by as many people as possible, while also highlighting their local roots and the industry's ongoing efforts to produce them responsibly. ", underlines Alain Plantier, president of UNICEM.

More information : Discover the first part of this awareness campaign on UNICEM's LinkedIn page