CEMEX invests in start-up creating aggregates from plastic waste

Cemex invests in start-up creating aggregates from waste plastic https://t.co/4K0avjQcJr #constructionnews #construction #news pic.twitter.com/jKrEdqzYNH

— Construction Index (@TCIndex) July 2, 2020

California-based Arqlite SPC processes unrecyclable plastic waste into artificial gravel, avoiding the use of natural quarry aggregates and boulders in the production of light concrete and in drainage beds for construction and landscaping.

It has developed technology that allows most of the plastic waste to be recycled instead of disposal at a landfill or polluting the environment. Cemex said that the light aggregates it produces multiply thermal and acoustic insulation by ten times compared to mineral aggregates and offer better construction quality and higher energy conservation.

The aggregate is three times lighter than stone; benefits include lower transportation costs. The low thermal conductivity of plastic reduces its reaction to extreme temperature variations and, therefore, the possibility of fracturing or altering the concrete mix, said Cemex.

The process is claimed to be capable of processing the vast majority of plastic waste as raw material.

Breedon acquires CEMEX operations & assets in UK

As Aggregate Industries messes around with sites like Straitgate, other companies – run by ex-Aggregate Industries' people – have bigger things on their mind:

Acquisition of CEMEX assets and operations in the UKhttps://t.co/77yLZusOz6 pic.twitter.com/u6jVHlVAee

— Breedon Group (@breedongroup) January 8, 2020

Breedon are buying a £178m slice of CEMEX:

Breedon is taking over 49 ready-mix plants, 28 aggregate quarries, four depots, one cement terminal, 14 asphalt plants and four concrete products operations. Parts of Cemex’s Paving Solutions business in the UK are also included in the sale to Breedon.

Breedon is taking over approximately 100 Cemex UK operations across six divisions in Scotland, Wales, northeast England, Norfolk, the East Midlands, and Yorkshire.

The acquisitions will increase Breedon’s mineral reserves and resources by approximately 170 million tonnes – or enough to last more than 27 years at current extraction rates.

In 2018 the Cemex UK’s assets being acquired generated revenue of £178m and EBITDA of £23m.

Pat Ward, Breedon's Group Chief Executive, previously CEO of Aggregate Industries, commented:

This is a unique opportunity to extend our national network through a single value-enhancing transaction, substantially increasing our footprint in several regions of Great Britain where we are currently underrepresented and adding approximately 170 million tonnes of mineral reserves and resources.

It’s another indication of the going rate for mineral reserves and resources. In 2018, we asked What’s Straitgate Farm worth to AI?

Quarry firms criticise council for allowing “unregulated mineral extraction”

What hope is there of Devon County Council and the Environment Agency being able to police Aggregate Industries’ complicated working scheme at Straitgate Farm – "untried anywhere else in the country"? What hope of stopping water supplies from being harmed when excavators are let loose? What hope of knowing what goes on, or what depths would be reached, behind closed bunding.

What hope? None at all.

In Yorkshire this month, Quarry firms criticise council for allowing "unregulated mineral extraction":

Two of the country’s leading building materials firms have accused local authority planners of allowing a large mineral extraction operation to continue unregulated.

It's not surprising. Planning conditions are broken all the time.

Recently, we have posted Even aggregate companies are pointing fingers at each other over planning failures, Quarry companies struggle to dig in the right direction, let alone to the nearest cm and What’s the chance that AI would stop digging when it gets to the water table?

Planning conditions are broken in Devon too, often by Aggregate Industries. We have posted Another AI quarry in Devon non-compliant with planning conditions, Would the S106 water monitoring plan for Straitgate be as successful as Blackhill’s?, and Fancy that: AI’s missing S106 water monitoring reports turn up days after last post. We have written:

If AI can't be bothered to fulfil its Blackhill obligations, what hope is there for Straitgate? What hope for people who lose their drinking water supplies? What hope for people whose supplies become contaminated? What hope for timely action, when the last three hydrological monitoring reports for Blackhill have either been submitted late or not at all, when surface flows haven't been measured since 2011?

CEMEX quarry plan in Suffolk – underlines AI’s reckless stance to water at Straitgate

Concerned residents in Suffolk have directed us towards a planning application submitted last month by CEMEX to quarry Lime Kiln Farm, an extension of Wangford Quarry. The site has been proposed by Suffolk County Council as a Preferred Area for gravel extraction in its draft Minerals Local Plan, despite being in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB – where "planning permission should be refused for major development other than in exceptional circumstances" NPPF 172.

Readers will remember Aggregate Industries’ attempts not so long ago to win consent in the East Devon AONB – to process material from Straitgate at their existing plant adjacent to the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. Approval would have meant a continued blight on Woodbury Common, and would have introduced nitrate-rich agricultural soils into an area sensitive to any nutrient change. After concern from Natural England, AI withdrew its application and has now relocated the plant.

But we’ve digressed. The reason for this post was to contrast the difference between CEMEX and AI in relation to protecting nearby groundwater supplies.

CEMEX has submitted a range of documents in support of its application to extend Wangford Quarry and to quarry up to 1 million tonnes of gravel over some 11 years. The small number of documents submitted by CEMEX contrasts with the huge jumble of fragmented reports AI has been forced to submit in its multi-year quest to win consent to quarry Straitgate Farm – a clear indication of the number of constraints the company faces here in East Devon.

One of the CEMEX documents is a Hydrogeological Assessment – again, a brief affair compared with the tomes supplied by AI’s consultants Amec Foster Wheeler for Straitgate. Interestingly, CEMEX’s consultants rely on "(Brassington, 2007)" – a reference to academic literature by Professor Brassington, a leading authority on groundwater, who recently wrote a damning report concluding that 'ANY quarrying at Straitgate would cause problems'. For the Wangford extension, the salient features are a public water supply 280m away, no private water supplies located within 2km, and a proportion of the site within an Environment Agency Source Protection Zone 2. Groundwater levels have been monitored close to the proposed site since 2002 and show a typical range of 0.6 to 1.4mAOD. In contrast, at Straitgate, which also has a SPZ2 designated across part of the site, groundwater levels have been monitored since 2013 and fluctuate in some areas by no more than 24cm and other areas by as much as 6m.

CEMEX’s report is in stark contrast to the risks AI is prepared to take with the "fragile groundwater system" at Straitgate. The conclusions from CEMEX's consultants, JBA Consulting:

Quarrying involves activities that have the potential to affect the hydrogeological environment of the area. These activities have been identified and an assessment of their potential effects made.

The operational phase potentially poses the greatest risk to the groundwater regime because it will involve constant earthworks and frequent vehicle movements. There will also be minimal vegetation and no soil within the excavation area.

The main potential impacts to the hydrogeological environment are: alteration of recharge pattern, reduction in groundwater quality and increased groundwater vulnerability.

Proposed mitigation measures include the use of a Pollution Prevention Plan and the limitation of all workings to at least 1m above the highest water table.

Yes, that’s right. For this very level Suffolk site, where the maximum groundwater level is relatively easy to model, CEMEX still proposes that working will be limited to "at least 1m above the highest water table". CEMEX's Non-Technical Summary reiterates:

Historically quarrying has always left 1 metre of undisturbed sand and gravel between the bottom of the quarry and the surface of the groundwater. It is proposed to continue to do this when quarrying Lime Kiln Farm. This will, however, reduce the depth of dry, or unsaturated, sand and gravel that lies above the groundwater. In turn, this means that it is easier for potentially polluting liquids, such as fuels and lubricants, to reach and pollute the groundwater if they are spilt. 2.7.4

In contrast, at Straitgate, AI is proposing to leave a 0m unquarried buffer above the maximum water table; a maximum water table the exact position of which is still unknown, and where – as AFW admitted before whitewashing its reports – "there is the possibility for steps in the water table related to faulting" and "there is also likely to be other unmapped local faulting".

The aquifer underlying Straitgate supplies water to more than 100 people, to livestock farms, wetland habitats in ancient woodland, mediaeval fishponds, and a Grade I manor house. Dr Rutter is "concerned that there is a very steep hydraulic gradient across the site... Variations in the shape of the water table cannot be contoured based on the number of piezometers used". Prof Brassington says "an unquarried buffer of at least 3 m [should be] left above the maximum water table to minimise the negative impacts".

If AI doesn't propose to leave an unquarried buffer above the maximum water table to safeguard water supplies – a buffer typically employed by CEMEX, Hanson and others, as we posted in Quarry companies struggle to dig in the right direction, let alone to the nearest cm – what does it propose? AI's cunning plan is to rely on groundwater levels falling by at least 1m over the summer months – and clearly in some areas they don’t – before digging down to the maximum water table, and backfilling with overburden before groundwater levels rebound in the winter. Prof Brassington says it’s "untried anywhere else in the country" and "too difficult for typical machine operators". We’ve posted on the scheme before in No wonder AI wants to keep Straitgate’s groundwater data secret, Seasonal working scheme for Straitgate can't work as AI describes and AI was asked a very simple question.

If that doesn’t ring warning bells, consider that the authors of this "revolutionary" scheme – at AI and consultants AFW – are both no longer with their respective companies.

What if this experiment screws up drinking water supplies and mediaeval fishponds? Who would sort out the mess, given AI’s legal assurances for alternative water supplies are “unfit for purpose”? Let’s hope the EA and DCC have some good answers. They could never say they weren’t warned.

What part of ‘NO’ do quarry companies not understand?

During the time Aggregate Industries has been trying to work out how to destroy a farm in East Devon for a relatively insignificant amount of sand and gravel, in Scotland another quarry battle has been raging.

That battle came to a head last month, when Scottish ministers refused a quarry extension near the New Lanark world heritage site:

New Lanark is one of only six World Heritage sites in Scotland - the others being the island of St Kilda, Skara Brae in Orkney, the Roman Antonine Wall and Edinburgh's Old and New Towns and the Forth Bridge.

Cemex wanted to expand its current site into protected land close to the banks of the Falls of Clyde near New Lanark…. The Scottish government said it would not grant planning permission for the application in its entirety.

I have great news! 🎉
Scottish Govt reject Cemex application to extend Hyndford Quarry into the Buffer Zone of the New Lanark World Heritage Site at the Falls of Clyde. The quarry stops where it is. Fantastic work from all the team at New Lanark. Thankyou @Scotgov 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💚 pic.twitter.com/4MfmoyACOw

— Maxine Ross (@Fluffy_LeMonde) February 18, 2019

We have tweeted about this story on and off over the years. The controversy began in 2012 when Mexican multinational CEMEX first submitted its planning application to extend Hyndford Quarry towards the world heritage site:

… prompting objectors to launch a campaign against the extension, arguing that it would intrude into the buffer zone around the New Lanark world heritage site and be too close to the scenic Falls of Clyde. A working group, including representatives of Save our Landscapes and the New Lanark Trust, was set up, and more than 7,000 people signed a protest petition.

CEMEX’s plans were then called in by the Scottish Government, a public inquiry took place in 2014, and Scottish ministers refused planning consent in 2016. You might have thought that would be the end of it, but no. CEMEX appealed, and last month the Scottish government again refused consent.

So, that really must be the end of it, surely? Apparently not: CEMEX is now "considering legal action to get the decision reversed." Chair of the group Save Our Landscapes said:

The last time Scottish Ministers rejected the extension, Cemex assured UNESCO that it accepted the decision. It then launched an appeal that has cost themselves, the Scottish taxpayer, and community groups thousands of pounds and has delivered exactly the same result as last time. Cemex seems to have failed to notice that Scotland is a democracy and it is normal for elected politicians to make decisions here.

HGVs on rural roads

HGVs have been in the news recently for all sorts of reasons.

Locally, on the road outside Straitgate Farm, we’ve had this:

Heavy traffic as lorry goes into ditch on Ottery road https://t.co/SMUUl27cDe

— Sidmouth Herald (@sidmouthherald) February 18, 2019

Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, the Transport Minister was asked about what steps are being taken to reduce HGV traffic on rural roads:

Transport Minister Jesse Norman says this is a "very important issue" and has "all kinds of negative effects". He says that "local authorities are best placed" to try and prohibit the use of HGVs on rural roads.

But it's not just local authorities. Recently the Secretary of State for Communities refused Cuadrilla’s fracking application at Roseacre Wood in Lancashire, due to the road safety issues posed by HGVs using narrow country lanes used by cyclists, walkers and horse riders:

The proposed development would have a serious and very significant adverse impact on the safety of people using the public highway.

Aggregate Industries' planning application for Straitgate Farm would of course put many more HGVs – up to 200 a day – on a narrow country lane used by cyclists, walkers and horse riders. AI’s application fails to address these concerns, despite this recent press release from the company which points to the dangers posed by the rapidly increasing number of HGVs on our roads:

This has brought fresh safety concerns, as more vehicles on the roads and more traffic means increased risk – with dangerous lorry driving often at the heart of the highly-publicised road safety issue. Reports estimate that almost a quarter of injuries caused by crashes with HGVs are fatal or serious, compared to a one in eight (13%) car crash average, and that one in three (34%) drivers have had a crash or near miss with a lorry.

What’s AI doing about this – apart from its plans for up to 200 HGVs a day on a rural lane in Devon?

At Aggregate Industries, for example, we operate an incredibly robust approach to the enrolment of our 1,000-plus franchisee drivers, coupled with a holistic maintenance programme.

Sounds good. But it doesn't stop there:

We also use a state-of-the-art telematics system to monitor the driving behaviour and styles of our franchisee hauliers on a daily basis – picking up everything from mileage, speed and fuel consumption.

Brilliant. Does it work? Not according to this:

One area to look at is speeding in small villages, if your vehicles keep to the speed limit everyone else should.
Visit Peak Forest in Derbyshire to see HGV driving at its worst, including your vehicles #fatal4

— Peak Forest View (@peakforestview) January 29, 2019

Other companies are taking a different tack. CEMEX for example, is not only putting its faith in signage of the bright yellow variety – see below – but is also employing more widescreen Econic trucks with improved visibility of vulnerable road users. Others are also making this move – investing in trucks "less likely to mow down cyclists".

We have previously asked What’s AI doing to improve truck safety?

... if you Google "econic truck" AND "aggregate industries" you’ll be disappointed. AI use contract hauliers. It’s unclear what new measures, if any, are being stipulated by Aggregate Industries to make their contractors' HGVs safer for vulnerable road users.

Large quarry operators have to stump up financial guarantees too

Last week, it was announced that an Edinburgh quarry could re-open, after CEMEX – "the second largest building materials company worldwide, only after LafargeHolcim" – agreed to pay a £250,000 bond to ensure the site is restored in 2050.

Readers may remember that the subject of financial guarantees has come up before, in relation to Aggregate Industries' attempts to quarry Straitgate Farm.

Back in 2017, DCC wanted to know if AI’s seasonal working scheme had ever been tried before:

The applicant is requested to provide information on other sites either in their control or operated by another company where the proposed working technique is used successfully. Reason: The MPA will wish to consider whether the proposed working technique is a “novel approach” as set out in the NPPF Paragraph: 048 Reference ID: 27-048-20140306 in respect of the requirements for guarantees on the amelioration of impacts on local water supplies should there be any technical failure.

Paragraph 48 says a financial guarantee is justified:

where a novel approach or technique is to be used, but the minerals planning authority considers it is justifiable to give permission for the development...

It was a simple question, but neither AI – nor the architect of the scheme who is no longer with the company – could point to a single other site where the unorthodox scheme has been tried before.

The obvious conclusion is that AI’s scheme is indeed a "novel approach", and that a financial guarantee would therefore be justified for "the amelioration of impacts on local water supplies should there be any technical failure".

CEMEX turns 50 disused quarries into wildlife habitats

Whilst plans are afoot to renege upon the restoration promises at Aggregate Industries' Blackhill Quarry, CEMEX in conjunction with the RSPB has some better news:

A conservation project to turn 50 quarries into nature reserves by 2020 has been completed two years early and is already saving endangered species, like the turtle dove.

In 2010 the RSPB and CEMEX set an ambitious goal of restoring 1,000 hectares of land over a decade and in less than eight years we have met that target.

Working in partnership with CEMEX we have shown how land can be transformed from being an active quarry into a vibrant home for wildlife and we hope that our experience inspires others to play their part in restoring nature.

Whilst AI plots multi-million mile HGV schemes in Devon, Cemex is making history

HISTORY has been made with the first jumbo train of 34 wagons departing from Associated British Ports rail terminal in Cardiff, South Wales, and travelling to Acton in London, saving the equivalent of more than 80 truck loads on some of the country’s most congested roads.