Holcim survey shows rising demand for circular products

UK construction businesses are placing growing emphasis on circularity, with almost all now recognising its importance, according to new research from Holcim UK.

The company’s annual Circularity Survey, which polled 500 industry decision makers, shows that 97% of respondents believe embracing the circular economy is important – up from 79% last year. Over half (58%) described it as “very important,” compared with just 35% in 2024.

The number of firms with specific circularity targets in place across their operations has also risen sharply, from 21% last year to 57% today. Only 2% said they had no plans to set such targets.

Holcim said the findings reflect a defining moment for UK construction as it seeks to balance growth with sustainability. Availability of circular products is now a key factor in procurement, with 94% of respondents considering it when selecting suppliers – up from 73% in 2024. More than half (53%) now see access to circular products as “very important”.

Barriers remain, however. Over a third (34%) highlighted the increased cost of disassembling materials as the biggest challenge, followed by complexity around circularity (29%) and a shortage of specialist labour (26%). A third (33%) said greater government investment in skills and training is needed.

Despite these issues, demand is strong. Some 87% of respondents said they would be prepared to pay more for products and services with strong circular credentials. Nearly all (97%) said it was important to understand the circularity of components and products used in their projects, including the level of recycled material content.

Holcim is investing in its ECOCycle range, which recycles construction and demolition materials into aggregates, cement and concrete. The company has set a target for 20% of its products to be made from recycled materials by 2030.

Kaziwe Kaulule, managing director of Holcim UK’s aggregates and CDM divisions, said: “The UK construction industry is entering a defining moment, balancing the drive for increased output with the urgent need to achieve sustainability goals. Our research makes clear that closed-loop supply chains must be central to that future.”

For the UK concrete sector, the findings underline a growing expectation for mixes that incorporate recycled aggregates, alternative binders, and supplementary cementitious materials, with clients increasingly willing to pay a premium for lower-carbon, circular products.

Survey at a glance

• 97% of respondents believe circular economy is important (up from 79% in 2024).
• 57% now have specific circularity targets across operations (up from 21%).
• 94% factor circular products into supplier selection (up from 73%).
• 87% would pay more for products with strong circular credentials.
• 34% cite material disassembly costs as the biggest barrier.