Ancycla is investing 12 million euros in an innovative facility to valorize construction site soil

The facility aims to transform excavated soil, previously used for backfill, into recycled raw material for the production of aggregates and concrete. This major step forward aligns with the shared vision of both groups: to make their supply chains more sustainable by promoting a circular economy.

Transforming unexploited land into a strategic resource

Since its opening in 2013, the ANCYCLA site in Anse processes nearly 550.000 tonnes of inert waste from demolition and earthmoving each year: concrete, bricks, tiles, stones… including 400.000 tonnes of soil.

Until now, 150.000 tonnes of this waste were recycled to produce aggregates for bulk sale and for manufacturing concrete materials for industry. The remainder, particularly the soil excavated during foundation and basement construction, was used as backfill in a nearby former quarry. This investment aims to transform this situation in a more sustainable way.

With commissioning scheduled for the end of 2026, this industrial facility will separate the pebbles, sand, and fine particles contained in the soil for full reuse. As a result, more than two-thirds of the soil volume will now be recycled.

According to Édouard Plattard, CEO of the Plattard Group: “This investment is part of our long-term strategy in favor of the circular economy. We are transforming untapped waste into a resource, promoting the responsible use of our quarry and natural resources, and providing a concrete response to public works companies seeking local and sustainable solutions for managing their construction site soils.”

A high-value-added installation for a concrete territorial impact

This new facility, the assembly of which began at the end of 2025 and will last several months, represents an investment of 12 million euros. It will reach 14 meters in height and cover nearly 3.000 m² of ground space.

This infrastructure will allow ANCYCLA to create a substitute deposit equivalent to 250.000 tonnes of sand and gravel per year.

This capacity helps to preserve natural resources by reducing aggregate extraction from quarries and addresses several challenges:

• Securing strategic hosting capacity for local businesses: faced with the scarcity of hosting sites and the increase in evacuation costs, this local solution reduces travel, limits the carbon footprint and secures a virtuous sector for the territory;
• Contributing to the decarbonization of the construction sector: by transforming untapped waste into recycled raw material, ANCYCLA reduces the overall environmental impact of the construction sector's value chain while working to preserve natural resources.
• Creating sustainable jobs in the area, 3 people will join the Anse site.

This initiative is part of the shared vision of the PLATTARD and FIRALP Groups: to build the world of tomorrow by reducing the impact of their activities and by offering innovative solutions for the decarbonization of the construction sector.

Furthermore, the construction schedule is organized into several key phases:

• End of 2025: start of construction
• First quarter of 2026: Earthworks
• 2nd quarter: Foundations and assembly of the living quarters
• 3rd quarter: Tank assembly and commissioning
• 4th quarter: Final installation and commissioning

A closer look at ANCYCLA, a committed player in the circular economy

Owned equally by the Plattard and FIRALP Groups, ANCYCLA currently operates two recycling platforms in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: Anse and Ternay, which opened in August 2025.

At these sites - which are both EPR PMCB (Extended Producer Responsibility - Building Construction Products and Materials) collection points - the company collects and processes inert waste (concrete, bricks, tiles, earth) to revalue it into recycled aggregates, as well as non-inert waste (wood, glass wool, plaster).

Thanks to the accelerated deployment of river transport, these two platforms reflect a strategy of transition towards lower CO2 emissions mobility. Thus, two boats from the Plattard Group, capable of transporting up to 2.000 tonnes of materials, are chartered for the transport of waste and aggregates.