Tarmac has announced the rollout of new 80% recycled plastic packaging across a large portion of its Blue Circle & Ready-to-use range, reinforcing its position as an industry leader in sustainable innovation.
Having previously led the sector with 50% recycled content packaging, Tarmac is once again setting the benchmark by increasing recycled content to 80% - with approximately 80% of its bagged products, including Mastercrete and Postcrete, incorporating this upgrade.
The transition follows a comprehensive 15-month development programme, including extensive on-site trials at Tunstead Cement Works - Tarmac’s largest packed products facility. More than half a million bags were tested to ensure the upgraded packaging maintains the same strength, durability and performance standards customers expect.
Importantly, customers will see no difference in product performance or handling. The new bags have no impact on product quality and have already been supplied to customers since Q2 last year as part of a phased introduction designed to eliminate waste and maximise efficiency from trial materials. All new Mastercrete and Postcrete packaging entering the supply chain will now clearly display “80% Recycled” on the bag.
The project was delivered in partnership with long-term packaging supplier RKW Group, with whom Tarmac has worked for more than 20 years. The two companies initially collaborated on the development of valve sacks and have continued to innovate together to improve sustainability performance.
Mark Griffiths, Senior Procurement Manager at Tarmac, said: “Moving from 50% to 80% recycled content across our bagged range is a significant milestone and another example of Tarmac leading the way for the industry.
“This has been a rigorous 15-month project, with extensive trials at Tunstead to ensure we could deliver a more sustainable solution without compromising on strength or performance. Customers won’t notice any difference - but from an environmental perspective there will be a positive impact.
Garry Gregory, Packed Products Director at Tarmac, added: “Sustainability is central to our packed products strategy. By working closely with RKW and leveraging decades of collaboration, we’ve been able to deliver an industry-first solution at scale.
With around 80% of our packed products transitioning to 80% recycled packaging, this rollout represents a major step forward in reducing plastic use while maintaining the quality and reliability our customers depend on.”
The new packaging is currently being rolled out across all of Tarmac’s Blue Circle Packed Cement and Ready-to-use operations, with all new incoming stock moving to the 80% recycled specification as part of the company’s continued drive to make its operations as sustainable as possible.
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