Alain Plantier elected new President of the National Union of Quarry Industries and Building Materials

This new mandate as President of UNICEM, for a period of three years, is part of the continuity of the work undertaken for years in favor of the industrial sectors of aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and ornamental rocks. represented by the federation.

Continue to promote the sectors and respond to their new challenges

Under the impetus of Alain Plantier, UNICEM will continue to emphasize the transmission of knowledge and vocations, both driven by apprenticeship and its three apprentice training centers (CFA). The crucial objective of increasing the recruitment dynamics of young people in these centers will have to meet future needs, estimated at around 1 positions per year for the next five years.

The industrial issues for the nearly 900 member companies, whether in terms of health and safety at work, production performance and reduction of environmental impacts, will continue to constitute another fundamental pillar of action. The many works implemented in this direction, and which will call for regular monitoring of their effectiveness, also benefit from the vitality and fluidity of the social dialogue carried out by UNICEM within the professional branch.

Corporate social responsibility at the heart of the federation's action

The launch in 2023, by the Government, of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for building waste was an opportunity for progress for these structures, although their performance levels were already high before the application of this standard thanks to in particular to the various labels of the UNICEM Entreprises Committed association. Their growing involvement in local production and short loops for supplying territories and construction companies with building materials nevertheless remains a challenge as Low Emission Zones (ZFE) develop nationwide.

These anticipatory approaches are fully in line with the ambitions of the forthcoming “Green Industry” bill with local local materials promoting both French strategic independence and the reduction of CO2 emissions. With one objective: to build today the architectural heritage of tomorrow.

The supply of local mineral materials will therefore continue to be a strategic issue for our country, which has adopted since 2020 a national strategy for the management of quarry resources thanks to the development of a first generation of regional plans. careers (SRC). Aware of their role, companies that are members of UNICEM obey the highest levels of environmental standards for the operation of their facilities and, with regard to quarries, are an integral part of the green and blue fabrics of the territories, thus providing many opportunities for biodiversity.

The legacy of Alain Boisselon, outgoing president of UNICEM

All the members and stakeholders of the federation would like to thank Alain Boisselon for his years as chairman which, among other things, made it possible to strengthen the profession's commitment to training with the creation of UNICEM Campus and to make REP Building a success thanks to the active participation of the eco-organization Ecominéro.

Decarbonization was also supported by the outgoing president by supporting the work of the concrete sector, as was the issue of water and the recognition of the long-term commitment to saving this precious resource. A commitment materialized by the participation of UNICEM in the work of the Basin Committees of the Water Agencies and the National Water Committee. His mandate also provided an opportunity to consolidate, thanks to France's geological diversity, a network of quarries and production units ensuring the country's mineral independence.