Grundon and Down To Earth Developments launch joint venture to produce recycled aggregates

Grundon and Down To Earth Developments (DTE) have joined forces to launch Regolite, a new joint venture company producing sustainable, recycled aggregate for the construction and landscaping markets.

The move follows a £2.6 million investment in upgrading an existing mineral processing plant, adding a new closed-loop water management and filter press system, together with infrastructure works; at Grundon Sand & Gravel’s Kennetholme Quarry, near Thatcham, Berkshire.

Grundon Chairman, Neil Grundon, and Ben Maclean, Director of DTE, recently visited the operation as part of the official opening.

Andy Bright, General Manager – Aggregates at Grundon Sand & Gravel and also a Director of Regolite, said: “Giving our customers the option of choosing recycled aggregates has been one of our long-term goals and we are delighted that the partnership with DTE has enabled us to achieve this.

“Regolite combines the expertise of two family businesses – the Grundons and the Macleans – mixing our innovative ideas and specialist skills to develop a product that both preserves precious natural resources and delivers environmental benefits too. It is something we are all incredibly proud of.”

The new operation sees non-hazardous waste from various construction, earthworks, remediation and development projects delivered to Kennetholme. The materials, including soil and stones, are processed through the wash plant to remove dirt and silt. Once scrubbed clean, the recycled materials are then graded into single sizes (Soft Sand, Sharp Sand, 10mm Stone, 20mm Stone & 40mm Stone) ready for sale.

The water used in the process is treated to remove any silt/clay and then recycled back into the system as clean water. The separated silt/clay is pressed to extract any further clean water, leaving a solid manufactured clay which has the potential to be used in earthworks projects or land reclamation.

The new facility will take in around 120,000 tonnes of waste a year and produce an equivalent amount of aggregate. For every tonne of recycled aggregate used, around 1.4 tonnes of natural aggregate is saved.

Ben Maclean, Director of Surrey-based construction waste specialist DTE, says: “Regolite is a perfect example of the circular economy in action, as we are able to collect waste soils and stones from our clients’ sites, process it into usable recycled products, and offer it back to the same site/client as a high quality, low carbon alternative to primary virgin materials. Effectively the waste that comes out of the site in the first place, then becomes part of future construction and development.

“Recycled aggregate is every bit as good as natural aggregate and we see it playing an important role in helping meet increasing demand from the wider construction and landscaping sectors for more sustainable products.”

Traditionally, the majority of construction and demolition waste is sent to landfill, and the Regolite team say they hope this first Kennetholme facility will set the standard for a future pipeline of similar developments.

To find out more, visit www.regolite.com