Building materials giant Hanson UK has created a new recycling business as part of its circular economy offering.
“We will recover construction and demolition waste and process and reuse it to complement and grow our business and deliver sustainable products to our customers,” wrote the company.
The venture will be led by James Whitelaw, who moves from his role as aggregates managing director to become managing director of the new recycling business.
He will be responsible for identifying opportunities to grow organically using Hanson’s existing capabilities and to integrate acquisitions such as Manchester-based A1 Services.
Whitelaw will continue to report directly to CEO Simon Willis.
As a result of Whitelaw’s move, concrete managing director Brian Charleton will become aggregates managing director and Gordon Napier, previously concrete regional director, joins the executive team as managing director of Hanson’s concrete business.
Hanson proposed the acquisition of construction and demolition waste recycler Mick George Group in December 2022, subject to competition authority approval.
Hanson said the merger will bolster its circular materials capacity and complement the firm’s existing aggregates and ready-mixed concrete arm.
At the time, Mick George Group had an annual turnover of around £220 million and some 1,000 staff operating in East Anglia and the East Midlands.
“Promoting circularity by recycling, reusing and reducing the use of primary raw materials is crucial to reaching net zero,” said Willis.
“The development of a separate recycling business line will allow us to provide the most sustainable products to our customers through circularity and innovation to enable building more, with less.
“It is another significant step towards achieving our aim of being the industry leader in the supply of sustainable, circular products.”
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