Recycled Concrete Aggregates Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Unprocessed, Processed), By Application (Bridges, Concrete Manufacturing, Roadway & Pavement), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview 

The global recycled concrete aggregates market size was estimated at USD 7,708.3 million in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028. The market growth is expected to be driven by rising concern about the environment and natural resources and the importance of recycled materials in the construction industry. A major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt by the construction sector, a sensitive sector to economic cycles. There have also been disruptions in the industry as many countries have closed their construction sites. In addition, most of the open sites have faced disruptions in supply chains and operational restrictions. This has resulted in financial index volatility. However, construction holds much potential to stimulate recovery, owing to its ability to create jobs; and, as a result, recovery measures can help the sector shift toward sustainability and digitization.

Words such as "sustainable development" have become household terms in the U.S. Concrete is the most important, the most versatile, and the most widely used building material across the globe. With more stringent sustainability requirements, rising costs, a shortage of labor, and new materials, production techniques, and digital tools available, the industry is forced to innovate. Another environmental burden is the demolition and disposal of concrete structures, pavements, etc. Concrete is the largest single component of construction debris, which contributes a large portion of solid waste disposal problems. 

Concrete waste can be recycled into recycled concrete aggregates, which are estimated to be less expensive than natural aggregates. Recycling aggregates has some limitations due to transport, quality, and availability of raw materials, which in this case are highways and demolitions. It is necessary to recycle every tonne of concrete to benefit the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future rather than burying it. To protect natural resources and promote sustainability, companies engaged in the construction materials business focus on producing and promoting recycled concrete aggregates in the U.S.

Product Insights

The unprocessed segment dominated the market and accounted for 63.6% of the global revenue share in 2020. Currently, demolition wastes, especially concrete, are commonly used to fill landfills, leading to further environmental problems. Generally, unprocessed concrete or concrete aggregates are buried or buried in landfills, bulk fills, backfill material, riverbank protection, and base fill for drainage structures. The ecological characteristics of construction materials are becoming increasingly important. Using readily available concrete as an aggregate source for new concrete or other applications makes concrete recycling an important practice since it conserves natural resources. Concrete can be recycled in a relatively simple manner. It includes braking, removing, and crushing to produce a material with a specified size and quality.

Once the concrete has been removed from contaminants through selective demolition, screening, and/or air separation, and size reduction in a crusher, it can be used for a variety of purposes: concrete for sidewalks, shoulders, median barriers, curbs, and gutters, bridge foundations, soil-cement pavement bases, lean-concrete or econo-crete bases, and bituminous concrete. Thus, the processed recycled concrete aggregate segment is expected to register a strong CAGR over the forecast period.

Application Insights

The roadway and pavement segment dominated the market and accounted for 32.5% of the global revenue share in 2020. The pavement on highways is a very expensive infrastructure that consumes plenty of natural resources. By utilizing Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA), highway pavement construction can benefit the environment, the economy, and society in a number of ways. As a result, the construction sector would have a smaller carbon footprint, there would be a reduction in harmful emissions, and pavement construction costs would decrease.

The crushing characteristics of concrete are similar to those of natural rocks and are not affected in any way by the original quality or grade of the concrete. As a result, the construction sector would have a smaller carbon footprint, there would be a reduction in harmful emissions, and pavement construction costs would decrease.

Regional Insights 

North America dominated the recycled concrete aggregates market and accounted for the largest revenue share of around 40.7% in 2021 due to the increasing utilization of recycled concrete aggregates as a sustainable source across the region. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. generated more than twice as much construction and demolition debris in 2018 as municipal solid waste.

Concrete waste can be recycled to reduce not only the overexploitation of quarries but also energy use and greenhouse gas emissions caused by mining. As a result of the emergence of environment-friendly and recycled products in the construction industry, recycled concrete aggregates have experienced a surge in demand in the recent past. A greater number of road construction activities in the U.S. has resulted in a substantial loss of natural resources, which in turn has led to the use of recycled concrete aggregates in North America.

Another factor driving the market is the presence of a large number of recycled concrete aggregates manufacturers in the region. North American manufacturers such as Independence Recycling, Southern Crushed Concrete, Ferma Corp., and many others provide on-site recycling services, which are further propelling market growth in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights 

Globally, key players operating in the market are investing more in research and development to produce high-quality recycled concrete aggregates at the lowest possible cost and with minimal environmental impact. For instance, in June 2020, CEMEX Ventures invested in Arqlite SPC, which makes lightweight recycled aggregates from plastic waste that are more durable and have a lower carbon footprint, making them ideal for precast, drainage, and lightweight concrete. In addition, the manufacturers will likely form partnerships with key firms in the construction industry and government agencies to increase sales.

Key players are focused on the merger and acquisition of small and medium-size recycled concrete aggregate manufacturers to increase their production capacities, regional presence, and product availability. For instance, in January 2018, Vulcan Materials Company completed the acquisition of Aggregates USA, LLC. This acquisition complements and expands Vulcan's footprint in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, enhances the product offering, expands the distribution network and service areas, and will enable the company to better serve its customers. Some of the prominent players in the recycled concrete aggregates market include:

• Lehigh Cement

• Vulcan Materials Company

• FERMA CORP

• LafargeHolcim

• Top Grade Site Management, LLC

• Delta Sand & Gravel Co.

• CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V.

• Southern Crushed Concrete

• Big City Crushed Concrete

• Independence Recycling of Florida 

Recycled Concrete Aggregates Market Report Scope 

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global recycled concrete aggregates market report based on product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Unprocessed

  • Processed

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Roadway & Pavement

  • Bridges

  • Bulk Fills & Riverbank Protection

  • Concrete Manufacturing

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia & New Zealand

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • GCC