GB aggregate reserves continue to decline
Latest BDS report highlights ongoing fall in reserves of sand and gravel and crushed rock
THE latest edition of the ‘Estimated Reserves of Pits & Quarries in Great Britain’ report, published by BDS Marketing Research, suggests estimated reserves of sand and gravel and crushed rock are continuing to fall across Great Britain (GB), with reserves now 7% less than those reported in December 2021.
The current report provides details of the reserves and estimated years of life left at every site, summarized at county, region, and national level, and by company, including market shares. As of December 2024, more than 5.3 billion tonnes of reserves of sand and gravel and crushed rock (hardstone, limestone, and sandstone) have been identified from around 900 separate active and inactive sites operated by almost 300 individual companies.
Key findings of the report include:
The life of consented reserves for aggregates sites across GB is estimated to be around 35 years. Wales and Scotland have been identified by BDS to have the longest life remaining (>40 years) and the South East the least
Jointly, the top five producers (Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, Heidelberg Materials, and CEMEX) account for 80% of the total consented aggregates reserves for GB, with Holcim holding the largest share
Additionally, around 256 million tonnes of reserves are contained in planning applications submitted in the last five years, awaiting determination.
The report provides essential intelligence for operating companies, potential new entrants to the market, planning authorities, and other industry observers. For further information on BDS or to review published reports, visit the BDS Marketing website. To purchase a copy of the ‘Estimated Reserves of Pits & Quarries in Great Britain’ report, contact BDS by email at: contact@bdsmarketing.co.uk
