Major next step in circularity: Heidelberg Materials acquires leading recycling and construction materials company in the United Kingdom

• Heidelberg Materials acquires the Mick George Group, which operates more than 40 sites in the UK including major recycling facilities, aggregates quarries, and ready-mixed concrete plants 
• The company’s fully integrated recycling, quarrying, concrete, and earthmoving business will significantly strengthen Heidelberg Materials’ circular economy activities
• Recirculation of building materials from production to recycling is key to reach Heidelberg Materials’ target of offering circular alternatives for half of its concrete products by 2030

Heidelberg Materials will acquire the Mick George Group, subject to relevant competition authority approval. The Mick George Group is a market-leading construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycler in the Eastern region of the UK, with an annual revenue of around £220 million. 

The Mick George Group specialises in bulk excavation and earthmoving services, demolition, and environmentally sensitive waste removal, complemented by waste management services as well as aggregates and concrete supply. The company operates four recycling facilities, eight waste transfer stations, eleven aggregates quarries, and ten ready-mixed concrete plants. 

The acquisition will significantly strengthen Heidelberg Materials’ circular materials offering while complementing its existing aggregates and ready-mixed concrete business in the UK. It adds a considerable recycling platform to Heidelberg Materials’ portfolio. Through this, it supports the development of innovative technologies for processing waste and upgrading it for use in the construction cycle as a valuable material. 

“The acquisition of the Mick George Group is another significant step towards our target to offer circular alternatives for half of our concrete products by 2030. Pushing circularity and consequently recycling, reusing, and thereby reducing the use of primary raw materials is crucial to achieving Net Zero,” says Dr Dominik von Achten, Chairman of the Managing Board.

“With the acquisition of the Mick George business, we are clearly moving towards establishing a truly circular materials and services offer in our UK business,” adds Jon Morrish, Member of the Managing Board and responsible for Western and Southern Europe. “I warmly welcome all 1,000 Mick George employees to Heidelberg Materials and look forward to further developing the business together.” 

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the financial terms of the transaction. 

Caption: Image 1 and 2: Heidelberg Materials acquires the Mick George Group, which operates more than 40 sites in the United Kingdom. (Copyright: Mick George Group)

About Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in over 50 countries with more than 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 sites. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the forerunner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.