Tarmac Blue Circle cement celebrates 125 years
One of the UK’s most established and trusted cement brands reaches special anniversary milestone
TARMAC Blue Circle cement, one of the UK’s most established and trusted cement brands, is proudly marking its 125th anniversary in 2025 – a milestone that highlights over a century of innovation, reliability, and support for the UK construction industry.
Since 1900, Blue Circle cement has been a constant presence on construction sites across the country, evolving alongside the industry and helping shape the built environment. Today, as developers and housebuilders face growing pressure to deliver sustainable, low-carbon solutions, Blue Circle continue to lead with innovation that supports net-zero goals and long-term resilience.
One of the most significant steps in this journey has been the transition of all Blue Circle ready-to-use products to Portland limestone cement (PLC). This move delivers up to a 7% reduction in embodied carbon per tonne, without compromising on product performance or compliance.
Products such as Mastercrete and Postcrete – already household names in UK construction and landscaping – now carry even stronger sustainability credentials while maintaining the reliability professionals expect.
Garry Gregory, packed products director at Tarmac, said: ‘As we celebrate 125 years of Blue Circle, we’re proud not only of our history but of the sustainability journey we’re on.
‘From reducing embodied carbon in our products to transforming how we produce and deliver cement, we’re focused on supporting our customers as they face increasing environmental expectations. The future of construction must be collaborative, and we’re committed to playing our part.’
The transition to lower-carbon cement is just one part of a broader five-pillar approach to decarbonization: production; process; product; packaging; and placement.
Across their operations, Tarmac have invested in cleaner production methods, including the shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources such as biomass and waste-derived fuels. The company was the first in the UK to introduce a battery-electric mixer truck in 2022 and will soon operate the largest electric HGV fleet in the UK construction sector.
Blue Circle were the first UK cement manufacturer to introduce bags made with 50% recycled plastic and are currently trialling bags made up of 80% recycled plastic. These efforts align with the Government’s Plastic Packaging Tax and reflect a wider commitment to creating a net-zero packaging solution in the future.
With 125 years of trusted performance behind it, Blue Circle cement continues to evolve in line with modern construction needs. Its enduring legacy is built not only on product quality but also on leadership in innovation, sustainability, and service.
