Aggregates

We produce quality primary, secondary and recycled aggregates for all construction projects, including sands, gravels and crushed rock materials.

Producing aggregates and distributing them from a network of quarries, depots, and wharves, including Europe's largest marine-dredged sand and gravel operation, Heidelberg Materials Aggregates Marine.

Our aggregates are suitable for a wide range of applications and production process for ready mix concrete, pre cast concrete, brick and block, asphalt production. Supplied loose or bagged. We also provide specialist sands for glass making, horticulture, agriculture, and leisure.

We are committed to sustainability within our aggregate business through 9001, 14001 and 18001 ISO standards and our 2030 commitments and produce a range of specialist aggregates – industrial sands, decorative aggregates, agricultural limes, SUDS aggregates and rock armour for sea defences. Browse our website to find the aggregate material for your project or application.

Aggregate suppliers delivering nationwide

As aggregate suppliers, we use road, rail and water to distribute our products. Our core road fleet of 1,200 liveried trucks is operated principally by self-employed owner-drivers under a franchise scheme.

Heidelberg Materials are one of the country’s largest users of rail freight, moving over 2.5 million tonnes of aggregates a year from seven rail-connected loading points to 12 distribution depots. We have our own fleet of locomotives and wagons operated by Mendip Rail Limited, a joint venture company formed to manage aggregates distribution by rail. Barges are used to supply production facilities alongside the River Thames.

FAQs

What aggregates are used in concrete?: Aggregates used in concrete consist of geological materials such as gravel, sand and crushed rock. Specific aggregates, or combinations of aggregates, are selected for their durability, strength, and ability to achieve specific project outcomes.
What size aggregate should I use for concrete?: The size of the aggregates selected will be the main factor determining the strength of the concrete, so the right size of coarse aggregates to use will depend on the demands of your project. If you’re looking for a mid-strength concrete, we’d recommend 40mm aggregates, but, if you’re looking for high strength, then 20mm aggregates are best.
What are the various types of aggregates?: Aggregates are classified as either ‘coarse’ or ‘fine’ and both are further categorised further into classifications based on size. Heidelberg Materials Aggregates produces and distributes many sizes and types of aggregates, including crushed rock, sand and gravel and recycled aggregates from a network of quarries, depots, and wharves.
How thick should aggregate be? What should the diameter be?: Coarse aggregates are granular particles that are greater than 4mm with a usual range of between 6mm and 31.5mm in diameter. Fine aggregates usually consist of sand or crushed stone, less than 4mm in diameter. While the size required varies depending on the application, the most commonly used size in construction is 20mm. The largest sizes are more commonly associated with use in mass concrete or for roads.
What are the four main types of aggregates?: The four main types of aggregate used in landscaping and construction are gravel, sand, crushed rock, and concrete fill. These vary in material type and size, with each type of aggregate serving a unique purpose within specific applications.
What is Type 1 aggregate used for?: Commonly referred to as MOT Type 1, Type 1 aggregate is used as a base layer for pavements, roads, drives, trench fills, patios and a range of other applications. Heidelberg Materials is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of bulk construction aggregates and supplies various sizes of aggregate for a range of core applications, including MOT Type 1 sub base.

Area Sales Team map

View a directory of our aggregates sales team according to region.

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The decarbonisation challenge

View recordings from our Let's Talk Sustainability webinar series, outlining our plans for decarbonisation.

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Bulk construction aggregates

We supply crushed rock for a variety of construction uses and sand & gravel for ready-mixed concrete and concrete products.

Bulk construction aggregates

Truck information

Statistics on Heidelberg Materials' fleet of trucks including turning circle metres, tipping heights, weights, length and height.

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Bulk specialist aggregates

Heidelberg Materials offers an extensive range of specialist products including hardstones for road surfacing, boulders for sea defence work and flood prevention, and powdered limestones for agricultural and industrial use.

Bulk specialist aggregates

Bagged and landscaping

Heidelberg Materials can supply, through a network of builders’ merchants, a range of bagged and landscaping aggregates suitable for builders and homeowners. Our products include bagged decorative and construction aggregates as well as bagged sands.

Bagged and landscaping aggregates