What is the real impact of the quarries and materials industry on the French economy?

To answer this question, UNICEM (National Union of Quarrying and Construction Materials Industries), in partnership with the GIE Réseau des CERC (Regional Economic Construction Units), is publishing the consolidated study "Socio-economic Footprint France", the result of work carried out in all regions using homogeneous data from 2019.

A benchmark study, consolidated on a national scale

This study is based on the analysis of the direct, indirect and induced effects generated by the sector's activity, by measuring:

• the added value produced and salaried jobs (direct effects),
• purchases of goods and services from subcontractors and suppliers (indirect effects),
• employee consumption expenditure which irrigates other economic branches (induced effects).

The objective is to rigorously quantify the concrete impact of the sector on the economic and social fabric.

An industrial sector anchored in the regions

In 2019, the quarries and materials industry represented:

• 8,8 billion euros in turnover at the national level,
• 117.000 jobs supported: 29.000 direct, 80.000 indirect and 8.000 induced,
• An average knock-on effect of x3: for 1 direct job, 3 additional jobs in the economy.

It brings together three main areas:

Aggregates (sand, gravel, etc.) – the majority sector:

• 1.522 companies
• 359 million tonnes produced
• 3,87 billion euros in turnover
• 55.000 jobs supported (13.500 direct; 3,1 jobs supported per direct job)

Natural stones (ornamental and construction) – a craft sector:

• 664 companies for €546 million in turnover
• 815 extraction and processing sites
• 14.000 jobs supported (6.700 direct; ratio: 1,1 job supported per direct job)

Ready-mix concrete (RMC) – an essential local industry:

• 492 companies, 1.928 sites, 40,4 million m2 produced
• 4,39 billion euros in turnover
• 50.400 jobs supported (8.740 direct; record ratio of 4,8 jobs supported per direct job)

Throughout France, the quarries and materials industry plays a structuring role for the territories.

Located mainly in rural or peri-urban areas, the sector's sites support jobs that cannot be relocated, generate tax benefits for local authorities and actively participate in a local, circular economy with a reduced carbon footprint.

Beyond their economic contribution, companies in the sector are intensifying their commitments to social responsibility, recycling of materials and preservation of biodiversity.

A collective dynamic that fully integrates the quarries and materials industry into the ecological transition of the territories.

By publishing this national consolidation, UNICEM and the GIE CERC network wish to provide objective and quantified insight into the real impact of a sector that is often overlooked but essential to the sustainable development of the country.

The full study is available on the UNICEM and CERC websites or here.