UK Mineral Products Industry: Key Insights from 2025 Report

A new report from the Mineral Products Association (MPA), Profile of the UK Mineral Products Industry – 2025 Edition, highlights that every person in the UK consumes approximately 5.8 tonnes of mineral products annually — roughly the volume of a large skip. These materials, including aggregates, concrete, asphalt, cement, and lime, underpin the UK’s built environment, manufacturing, and sustainable development.

Industry Scale and Economic Impact

• Total supply in 2023: 397 million tonnes of mineral products
• Direct Gross Value Added (GVA): £6.7 billion
• Economic footprint (including downstream supply chain): £253 billion (~11% of UK GDP)
• Employment supported: 89,000 direct jobs and an estimated 3.4 million jobs indirectly across other sectors

Sustainability Achievements

The report underscores the sector’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable growth:

• 63% decrease in CO₂ emissions from UK cement and concrete production since 1990
• 31% of construction aggregates sourced from recycled or secondary materials, placing the UK among the top European performers
• Over 50 years of quarry restoration, delivering 8,000+ hectares of new habitats aiding biodiversity recovery

Challenges and Future Outlook

Aurelie Delannoy, MPA Director of Economic Affairs, emphasizes the critical nature of mineral resource planning:

“Minerals underpin every home, road, hospital, factory — even renewable energy infrastructure. Yet, permitted reserves for construction aggregates are in decline, posing risks to future infrastructure and the UK’s Net Zero goals.”

The report warns that mineral resources, while abundant, require careful planning, permitting, and management to ensure long-term domestic supply. Continued investment in decarbonisation and resource recovery remains essential for sustainable sector growth.

Download the Full Report

For a comprehensive view of the UK mineral products market and its sustainability performance, the full 2025 edition report is available at:
Profile of the UK Mineral Products Industry – 2025 PDF

Why This Matters for Sustainable Development

Mineral products form the backbone of essential infrastructure and green energy projects, making their sustainable extraction and use pivotal for the UK’s future prosperity and environmental commitments. Understanding their economic and ecological footprint guides policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers towards more resilient and responsible supply chains.

Source: Mineral Products Association (MPA), 2025 Edition Profile Report via Hub-4 Quarrying & Recycling News

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