Cemex recycles 100% of the mineral materials from the demolition of the Lightwell building in La Défense in order to reuse them for its reconstruction

The 7000 m3 of mineral materials from the demolition of the building are completely recycled by CEMEX and transformed into recycled aggregates. Part of these secondary materials is intended for the production of ready-mixed concrete which will be used in the context of certain restructuring works of the same building.

A remarkable example of circular economy

Since last May, CEMEX has been receiving demolition materials on its platform dedicated to the circular economy and located in the port of Gennevilliers. Once received, they are scrupulously sorted and then transformed into aggregates. These recycled aggregates are then sent directly to the CEMEX production unit in Nanterre, where they are used in the composition of the ready-mixed concrete delivered to the Lightwell site.

Proximity to the production site is a real asset for site management. Materials will continue to be received in Gennevilliers until early 2023, while deliveries of ready-mixed concrete, for a total of 6.000 m3, will take place until October 2023.

Recycling and recovering building materials are key levers of CEMEX's Future in Action strategy, the company's program to achieve excellence in sustainability through climate action, circular economy and the management of natural resources. Across its EMEA* region, CEMEX recycles and recovers more than 10 million tonnes of waste, building materials and by-products from other industries each year.

A “win-win-win” offer

A partnership between the companies Lesueur TP, Petit and CEMEX naturally took shape due to the desire of each stakeholder to implement a circular approach. The demolition company wanted to have an outlet guaranteeing the recycling of the material, the construction company wanted to use ready-mixed concrete made from recycled aggregates, while CEMEX, the materials supplier, had a local solution to meet all expectations.

For Janina Baigus, sustainable solutions manager at CEMEX France: "We were able to adapt our commercial offer to the specificities of the site, in particular for the removal of the concrete, which will be carried out by lowered mixer trucks specially designed by the Petit company, due to the constraints of access to the site."

This circular offer of products and services adapted to the specificities of the site contributes to achieving the high levels of environmental performance targeted by the Lightwell project: HQE “Exceptional”, BREEAM “Excellent” and BBC-Effinergie Rénovation RT – 40% certifications.

Once restructured, this 10-storey building will offer 35.000 m² of workspaces and services, including a business center with a modular 200-seat auditorium as well as a Wellness Center area open to the outside, dedicated to sport and wellness. -be. Lightwell will also offer 1.000 m² of vegetated and furnished outdoor terraces, including a 500 m² rooftop.

*EMEA: Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia