Holcim UK acquires Thames Materials to boost recycling, sustainable construction

Holcim UK on Dec. 1 announced its acquisition of Thames Materials, a construction waste management company based in London, as part of its growth strategy within the recycling and construction demolition materials market.

The acquisition aims to bolster Holcim UK's presence in London and surrounding areas, enhancing its commitment to sustainable construction practices, the company said in a statement.

Thames Materials recently saw its annual permitted processing capacity increase to 750,000 mt. In 2024, it processed over 400,000 mt of construction waste, successfully recovering 340,000 mt for resale in the secondary aggregates market.

Where material has little recycling potential, the business redirects it into land restoration projects. With only 5% of material diverted to landfill, the acquisition further strengthens Holcim's commitment to the UK's circular economy, the company said.

"[The acquisition of Thames Materials] strengthens our footprint in the London construction market and aligns to our ambition of making sustainable construction a reality as we work towards becoming the leading UK provider of sustainable solutions," Lee Sleight, CEO of Holcim UK, said. "By 2030 we have set ourselves a target to process 6.5 million mt of CDM annually."