HeidelbergCement recognised twice by the UEPG Sustainable Development Awards

HeidelbergCement has received two awards from the UEPG* Sustainable Development Awards.   

The jury recognised our subsidiary Hanson UK with the top prize in the category “Restoration” for the exemplary measures adopted at the former Middleton Hall sand and gravel quarry in Warwickshire, England. The 470-hectare site has been restored to a mix of after-uses from sport and leisure to reed beds, woodland, pasture and fishing. The majority of the restored area is managed as a nature reserve by the RSPB, while a smaller section has been developed into a training ground for Aston Villa football club.

Our Spanish subsidiary FYM-HeidelbergCement received the best practice award in the category “Health & Safety”. With the participation of its employees the company has created a portable safety device serving both for collective and individual protection. It is handy, easy to assemble and can adapt to any terrain.

With the prizes awarded on the 16th of November 2016 in Brussels, the European Aggregates Association honoured companies in its sector that have successfully integrated aspects of sustainable development into their operations. At the same time, the association aims to underscore the compatibility of aggregates extraction and nature conservation, as well as demonstrate that aggregates producers are strongly committed to sustainable development.

In total, 41 entries from ten European countries participated in the competition. The achievements of all 41 companies, including additional HeidelbergCement subsidiaries, were recognised with the UEPG certificate. The international jury, comprising five renowned experts in the field, determined the winners out of eight different categories: “Environmental best practice”, “Restoration”, “Local community partnership”, “Health & Safety best practice”, “Economic contribution/added value to society”, “Operational best practice, process or product innovation” and “Best practice in innovation, recycling and manufactured aggregates”, as well as bestowing a “Special Award for Biodiversity”.

*The European Aggregates Association (UEPG) (Union Européenne des Producteurs de Granulats) represents the interests of the European aggregates industry in relation to European institutions and other stakeholders.