How to secure local supply of materials and strengthen the pact with the territories?

Through this text, UNICEM highlights a conviction: behind the professional organization, there are first and foremost women, men and locally rooted companies, which produce essential materials as close as possible to the construction sites, within a strict regulatory framework and under the permanent control of the State services.

Why this Manifesto?

In this Manifesto, UNICEM reaffirms its course: to guarantee the local supply of essential materials for sustainable and resilient territories, by securing production capacities over the long term as close as possible to construction sites.

The document also recalls the reciprocal expectations with local authorities: better consideration of the sector in urban planning documents, protection of deposits, land security, but also structured territorial dialogue based on transparency (visits, open days) and consultation, as well as a concerted organization of the traffic conditions essential to construction sites, taking into account the specific constraints of ready-mix concrete.

To put these issues into perspective, UNICEM recalls some key figures: 400 million tonnes of aggregates consumed each year in France (100 million of which come from recycling), 32 million m³ of ready-mix concrete produced, local production (on average 50 km between quarry and places of consumption; 30 km between ready-mix concrete plant and construction site) and a sector committed to the circular economy (92% of inert materials recovered; 100% recyclable concrete).

Essential materials, a territorial responsibility

The Manifesto reminds us that materials from quarries constitute a primary resource, difficult to replace through massive imports without environmental, social and economic consequences.

In a context of strain on land use planning and structural needs (housing, public facilities, networks, infrastructure), UNICEM asserts that it is essential to sustainably secure local production capacity. This issue relates to a form of territorial and national sovereignty, comparable to that of other strategic industries.

A useful, non-relocatable sector, committed to the transition

UNICEM insists on the non-relocatable nature of the activity: often the last industry in rural areas, the sector structures the local economic fabric, maintains jobs and, at the end of quarry operations, can generate new services for the benefit of the territories (natural areas, leisure, photovoltaic parks, etc.).

The Manifesto also reflects the collective commitment of the profession around three key areas:

• A local, secure and sustainable supply;
• A driver of employment and the local economy;
• A concrete commitment to the environmental transition, illustrated in particular through the progress approach proposed by the sector: the Mineral Industries CSR Label.

"Without aggregates, without concrete, without ornamental rocks, there are no roads, no schools, no hospitals, no networks, no structural works," recalls UNICEM, which calls for these materials to be treated as what they are: essential to collective life.

Strengthen dialogue with elected officials and stakeholders

Finally, the Manifesto lays the groundwork for strengthened cooperation between UNICEM, its regional offices, and local authorities. On the ground, dialogue is already a reality: In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 85% of mayors in areas with quarries consider this activity an opportunity for their municipalities (COHDA 2024 survey). UNICEM proposes a "win-win" partnership approach: better-supplied, more sustainable, and more resilient regions, and a recognized, supported, and fully committed sector serving the public interest.

By publishing this Manifesto, UNICEM intends to reaffirm and publicize its commitments, particularly to elected officials, to objectively assess the challenges, and to propose a solid basis for dialogue that meets current expectations regarding planning, environmental transition, and territorial cohesion. The aim is to move beyond vague perceptions and return to facts, orders of magnitude, and concrete solutions, fostering a lasting partnership with local authorities and all stakeholders. Because securing access to materials also means securing the capacity of territories to build, renovate, equip themselves, and become more resilient, UNICEM calls for strengthened and pragmatic cooperation, based on transparency and trust.

The UNICEM Manifesto is available for download: https://admin-adherent.unicem.fr/app/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/DocWEB_2026_UNICEM_A4-4p-Manifeste.pdf

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.