UNICEM congratulates its member companies which have massively joined an eco-organization within the framework of the REP PMCB

A few days before the first anniversary of the launch of the REP PMCB system (extended producer responsibility for construction products and materials in the building sector), the National Union of Quarry Industries and Construction Materials (UNICEM) welcomes the almost 90% of companies it represents that have joined one of the approved eco-organizations.

This first assessment confirms the long-standing and unfailing commitment of companies in the sector to promote recycling with an overall objective of saving and valorizing mineral resources.

A collective momentum in favor of the success of this new REP PMCB sector

Both in mainland France and in the overseas territories, a total of more than 6.000 companies have joined, in the first year, the two approved category 1 eco-organizations (inert waste), Écominéro and Valobat. The two entities, responsible for collecting the eco-contribution which finances the management of end-of-life construction products and materials, processed nearly 2023 million tonnes of inert waste in 2,5.

These encouraging results are in line with the ambitious prospects of the sector which is aiming, by the end of its first approval in 2028, for an objective of 90% of waste recovered or recycled out of a total deposit currently estimated at around 30 million tons of inert waste.

UNICEM, full partner in increasing the capacity of the system

The federation, aware of the environmental issues and the necessary actions in favor of the preservation and optimization of mineral resources, has been committed from day one to promoting PMCB REP among its member companies. The recovery of waste, their reuse or recycling are now fully integrated by companies in the construction materials sector.

The PMCB REP, established by the Anti-waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) of February 10, 2020, will celebrate its first candle on May 1, 2024. It will continue to gain momentum, allowing the implementation of new virtuous and responsible practices , incorporating more and more recycled materials which ensure, in their use, good durability of constructions but also optimal recyclability.

For Alain Plantier, President of the National Union of Quarrying and Construction Materials Industries (UNICEM): “This very positive overall assessment reflects the actions put in place by our industries for years, currently allowing around 80% of materials to be recycled or recovered. In this continuity, the dynamic initiated for a long time will aim to achieve new margins of progress but also the objective of 90% planned for no later than 2028. It will however be necessary to ensure that the economic weight of the REP PMCB sector does not not excessively increase the prices of materials and therefore the cost of construction. Especially since the construction sector is going through a significant crisis and the lack of housing remains extremely worrying. »