As a fundamental resource for modern infrastructure development, the sand and aggregates industry plays an irreplaceable strategic role in the global processes of industrialization and urbanization. With the continued expansion of the global construction market, surging infrastructure demand in emerging economies, and mounting pressure for industrial transformation under carbon neutrality goals, the aggregates sector is confronting multiple challenges, including resource constraints, environmental regulation, and supply chain restructuring. This white paper adopts a global perspective to deliver an in-depth analysis of industry trends, offering valuable insights for investors and corporate decision-makers seeking to seize opportunities and lead the transformation in this evolving landscape.
Sand and aggregates are granular materials derived from natural rocks and pebbles through processes such as crushing, screening, or natural weathering. They serve as essential raw materials in the production of concrete, asphalt, and roadbed construction.
| Classification criteria | |
|---|---|
| By source and process | Natural aggregate: river sand, sea sand, mountain sand (needs to be cleaned to remove impurities, chloride ion content must be less than 0.02% to comply with EU EN 13242 standard). |
| Manufactured aggregates: they are produced by crushing rocks, and those with a crushing value below 12% can meet the requirements for high-strength concrete, in accordance with China’s national standard GB/T 14684. | |
| By particle size specifications | Coarse aggregates: typically ranging in particle size from 0.15 to 4.75 mm, such as crushed stone and gravel, account for approximately 60% to 75% of the total volume of concrete. |
| Fine aggregates: With particle sizes ranging from 4.75 to 37.5 mm, such as river sand and manufactured sand, affect the workability and crack resistance of concrete. | |
| By application scenario | Construction sand: It must comply with ASTM C33 (United States) or GB/T 14684 (China) standards, with a crushing index of no more than 30%. |
| Sand used for asphalt applications: It must have a flat particle content of less than 12% to prevent pavement cracking and ensure structural integrity. | |
| Eco-friendly aggregates: It include recycled aggregates—with a construction waste recycling rate of ≥90%—and low-carbon aggregates produced at calcination temperatures of ≤800°C. |
The production process of sand and aggregates includes four stages: crushing, screening, washing, and environmental protection treatment. Technical differences directly affect costs and market competitiveness:
| Processes | Technical points | Differences in international standards |
|---|---|---|
| Crushing | – Coarse crushing: jaw crusher (energy consumption ≤1.5kWh/ton) | The EU requires that the noise level of crushing equipment should be less than 85 decibels (EN ISO 3744) |
| – Medium and fine crushing: cone crusher (yield ≥92%) | ||
| Screening | Vibration screening efficiency ≥98%, particle size tolerance controlled within ±10% | The US ASTM D2487 requires that the particle size matching rate should be ≥ 95% |
| Washing | Water washing to remove impurities (mud content <1%), but dry screening (MB value <1.5) is mostly used in water-scarce areas in Africa | The EU EN 13242 limits the chloride ion content to less than 0.02% |
| Environmental treatment | Tailing utilization rate ≥85% (Chinese standard), EU requires solid waste landfill rate <5% | The US EPA requires the installation of a dust collection system (efficiency ≥ 99%) |
| Core data | Growth logic | |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream | Global reserves of artificial sand raw materials are 150 billion tons (China) | Resource reserves are sufficient to support long-term supply |
| Midstream | China’s smart mine investment recovery period is 4-5 years | Technology cost reduction drives industry concentration |
| Downstream | Global recycled aggregate market size may reach US$150 billion in 2030 | Policy-mandated substitution + circular economy dividends |
The sand and aggregate market has grown strongly in recent years. Its size is expected to grow from $405.61 billion in 2024 to $433.28 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The sand and aggregate market is expected to grow strongly in the next few years. By 2029, the market will reach $558.06 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
The accelerated pace of global urbanization and the expansion of various infrastructure projects are key drivers of market demand. Both government and private sector investments in roads, bridges, residential, and commercial buildings have increased substantially, fueling higher demand for aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone. Construction activities in developing countries are rising in line with urbanization initiatives.
Furthermore, the reconstruction of aging infrastructure in developed countries is also contributing to market growth, ensuring sustained demand for high-quality aggregates to meet stringent construction standards and safety requirements.
Against the backdrop of accelerated global infrastructure expansion and mounting environmental constraints, the sand and aggregates industry is entering a new phase of transformation and upgrading. By 2030, five major trends are expected to shape the industry’s future:
To bridge the supply-demand gap, manufactured sand is emerging as the primary alternative. By 2027, manufactured sand is projected to account for over 50% of the global aggregate mix—and as high as 70% to 80% in countries like China. Advances in particle shape control, gradation consistency, and environmental performance are propelling manufactured sand toward a future of scaled, standardized, and intelligent production, reshaping the global aggregates landscape.
In Europe, the EU has introduced a new Sustainable Construction Products Regulation encouraging the use of low-carbon recycled materials. In China, the “Green Mine Construction Standard” mandates comprehensive green controls throughout the aggregate mining lifecycle—including extraction, transport, storage, and discharge.
Over the next five years, green certification is expected to become a baseline entry requirement. Traditional, resource-intensive operators will be phased out, while green aggregate bases and eco-friendly mining zones will benefit from expanded policy and financial support.
Smart mining demonstration zones have been established in China, Australia, South Africa, and elsewhere—featuring automated drilling and blasting, unmanned haulage fleets, and centralized remote-control centers. Industry leaders such as LafargeHolcim and Conch Group are spearheading the development of “smart aggregate plants.” By 2030, over 50% of major global aggregate producers are expected to achieve baseline digital operating capabilities.
According to the UNEP’s Sand and Sustainability report, recycled aggregates could supply 10% to 15% of global aggregate demand in the future. Developed nations such as Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands already exceed a 30% utilization rate, while emerging economies are accelerating the development of C&D recycling and aggregate certification standards.
Regional policy frameworks will further influence market dynamics. For example, the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) unlocks over $1 trillion in market potential, while China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for New Urbanization will trigger a second wave of aggregate demand in central and western provinces.
The global sand and aggregates market is exhibiting a distinct trend of regional differentiation. Market demand and growth rates vary across regions due to differences in infrastructure development, resource management policies, and environmental regulations. The following section provides a detailed analysis of key regional markets:
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest and fastest-growing market for sand and aggregates globally, accounting for over 60% of the total market volume. The region’s robust demand is driven by accelerating urbanization and sustained infrastructure investment.
Sustainability concerns are increasingly influencing policy, with gradual uptake of manufactured and recycled aggregates. By 2027, manufactured sand is expected to represent over 35% of total aggregate demand.
Across Southeast Asia, including countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar, there has been a marked increase in infrastructure development in recent years. The acceleration of transportation projects, including high-speed railways, airports, and ports, has triggered explosive growth in aggregate demand. In Vietnam, for example, the government’s “National Transport Development Plan” is expected to drive annual aggregate demand growth of 8% to 10% over the next five years.
The sand and aggregates market in Latin America is shaped by a dual influence of infrastructure development and policy volatility. While overall demand remains relatively stable, certain countries and regions within the continent exhibit strong growth potential.
Large-scale infrastructure investments are underway in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, particularly in transportation, housing, and public utilities. With the gradual implementation of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America (IIRSA), the aggregates market is showing signs of recovery. In Brazil, the market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4% to 5% over the next five years.
The CIS region—including countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan—is emerging as a new growth frontier for the sand and aggregates industry. Driven by geopolitical realignment, accelerated infrastructure investment, and strategic resource development, the region holds considerable market potential.
The North American sand and aggregates market is relatively mature but continues to exhibit stable growth driven by policy reforms and ongoing infrastructure projects.
The European market is overall stabilizing, with annual sand and aggregate consumption maintained between 3 to 3.5 billion tonnes. As one of the earliest regions to implement environmental policies, Europe is leading the green transformation of the aggregates sector.
Major economies such as Germany, France, and Italy account for the majority of aggregates consumption in Europe. Their markets are primarily influenced by sustainable development goals, environmental regulations, and green building standards. Germany, in particular, has pioneered construction waste recycling, with recycled aggregates expected to exceed a 25% market share by 2025.
The European Green Deal imposes stringent environmental requirements on the construction industry, accelerating the sustainable transition of the aggregates sector. In the coming years, carbon footprint reduction, resource recycling, and the adoption of low-carbon aggregates will become critical competitive factors in the market.
| Country | Policy focus | Opportunities for Chinese companies |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Annual demand of 450 million tons (35% recycled aggregate) | Construction waste recycling rate ≥ 90% Invest in recycled aggregate production line (payback period 3-4 years) |
| Poland | Annual demand of 300 million tons (120 million tons of machine-made sand gap) | Subsidy plan for small and medium-sized enterprises (30% subsidy for equipment purchase) China’s cone crusher market share exceeds 50% |
| Netherlands | Annual demand for port infrastructure of 150 million tons Carbon neutral port certification (requires sand and aggregate carbon footprint ≤ 0.5 tons CO₂/ton) | Low-temperature calcined sand export (premium 25%) |
| Sweden | Green Mining Act (ban on natural sand mining in 2025) Machine-made sand replacement rate ≥ 80% | Mobile crushing stations cover scattered mines |
The sand and aggregate market in Africa is in a stage of rapid development. With the acceleration of urbanization and the increase in infrastructure investment, the demand for sand and aggregates is rising year by year.
| Country | Market demand | Core driving factors | Opportunities for Chinese companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Annual demand of 500 million tons (2025) | New capital construction, Suez Canal Economic Zone | China Building Materials invests in 5 million tons of smart mines |
| Kenya | Annual demand of 300 million tons (annual average increase of 10%) | Mombasa Port expansion, East African railway network | Mobile crushing plants cover scattered mines |
| Ethiopia | Annual demand of 250 million tons (Grand Renaissance Dam project) | Hydropower infrastructure, urbanization rate increases by 4.5% annually | Chinese companies build factories locally (avoid import tariffs) |
| Nigeria | Annual demand of 600 million tons (mechanical sand accounts for less than 10%) | Moro River Steel Plant, Lekki Deepwater Port | China’s mechanical sand exports (FOB price of US$80/ton) |
The aggregates industry is accelerating its transition toward intelligent operations, low-carbon development, and efficient resource utilization. Technological innovation is not only enhancing production efficiency but also playing a critical role in addressing resource constraints and environmental challenges. This section analyzes the industry’s technological evolution across key technologies, environmental solutions, and leading R&D entities.
Steel Slag Sand: Can replace up to 20% of natural sand, improving compressive strength by 15% (China consumes over 500 million tons annually).
Fly Ash Aggregates: China processes over 1 billion tons annually, significantly reducing land occupation from coal gangue stockpiles.
| Company | Core Strategy Focus | Key Markets | Representative Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafarge Holcim | – Green cement & recycled aggregates- M&A in developing markets (Africa, Southeast Asia) | Europe, Africa, India | Mombasa Port Aggregates Project in Kenya (aligned with Chinese infrastructure contractors) |
| Heidelberg Cement | – Carbon capture technologies (CCUS)- Green mine certification in Europe | Germany, USA, Middle East | Fly Ash Aggregate Plant in Poland (EU subsidies cover 25% of CAPEX) |
| USG Corporation (USA) | – High-purity specialty sands (quartz sand)- Development of frac sand for shale gas | USA, Canada, Mexico | Shale Sand Mine in Texas (annual capacity of 10 million tons) |
| KHD Group (Germany) | – Export of intelligent crushing equipment- Development of uranium-associated sands | Central Asia, Eastern Europe | Uranium Sand Project in Kazakhstan (partnered with CGN Resources) |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Economic Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-temperature calcined sand | Lower calcining temp from 1200°C to 800°C, reduce energy use by 40% | Chinese Academy of Sciences (25% price premium in North America) | Payback in 3–4 years, CO₂ emissions reduced by 1.5 tons per ton |
| Waterless sand washing | Dry screening + electrostatic dust removal, 70% water saving | NEOM project in Saudi Arabia (25% cost reduction) | Wastewater treatment cost cut by $30/ton |
| Carbon capture (CCUS) | CO₂ captured during calcination of calcium carbonate, stored or reused | Krafla Cement Plant, Norway (abatement cost < €20/ton) | Eligible for EU carbon border tax exemption |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Policy Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel slag sand purification | Magnetic & flotation separation to achieve SiO₂ ≥ 95% | Baowu Group, China (5 million tons/year) | 30% CAPEX subsidy by MIIT, China |
| Fly ash aggregates | ≥30% fly ash content, ≥30 MPa compressive strength | HeidelbergCement, Poland (EU certified) | Bonus under EU green building standards |
| Tailings-to-sand | Increase tailings utilization from 30% to 60% | Conch Cement, China (2 billion tons/year) | 20% resource tax reduction |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Efficiency Gains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous haul trucks | 5G + high-precision positioning, 40% higher transport efficiency | FMG, USA (60% labor cost reduction) | 80% drop in accident rates |
| AI-based ore blending | Real-time optimization, 10% higher material utilization | Conch Cement, China (25% energy savings) | 500,000 tons less ore wasted/year |
| Intelligent drilling systems | Geological modeling + automated drilling, <1% error rate | Anglo American, South Africa (30% lower exploration costs) | Mining cycle shortened by 6 months |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Cost Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blockchain traceability | End-to-end tracking of aggregate origin, 100% authenticity | EU CE certification project (15% premium potential) | 70% reduction in quality disputes |
| IoT-based monitoring | Real-time equipment status, ≥90% fault prediction accuracy | CNBM Smart Mines, China (20% lower maintenance costs) | Equipment downtime halved |
| Intelligent drilling systems | Geological modeling + automated drilling, <1% error rate | Anglo American, South Africa (30% lower exploration costs) | Mining cycle shortened by 6 months |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Market Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flotation purification | SiO₂ purity ≥ 99.9%, impurities < 0.01% | Mozambique mines (technology monopolized by Japan’s Tosoh) | Price is 3× that of standard sand |
| Electrodialysis desalination | Desalination cost < $0.50/ton | NEOM project, Saudi Arabia (for Middle East infrastructure) | Eligible for EU REACH exemption |
| Technology Focus | Key R&D Objective | Case Example | Technical Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silica sand particle size control | Particle size ≤ 0.15 mm, flowability ≥ 95% | BASF, Germany (30% YoY export growth) | Particle size deviation ≤ ±5% |
| Binder adaptation | Low-temp curing resin (≤80°C curing temp) | Chinese Academy of Sciences (cuts 3D printing cost by 40%) | Compressive strength ≥ 20 MPa |
The competitive landscape of the global aggregates industry is defined by regional fragmentation, technological stratification, and resource dominance:
The defining factors for future leadership in the industry will be:
A new wave of innovative players is reshaping the global aggregates landscape through technological breakthroughs, vertical integration, and sustainability-driven transformation:
Collaboration in the global aggregates industry is increasingly characterized by resource integration, technological complementarity, and policy alignment, forming a diversified cooperative ecosystem. Five dominant models are emerging:
The scarcity premium on natural sand resources is rising due to access restrictions, such as Vietnam’s export tax on marine sand and China’s ban on river sand mining.
Dependence on imported high-end equipment—such as Metso’s cone crushers—drives up technological costs and creates entry barriers.
In China, the market share of the top 10 aggregates producers (CR10) has increased from 35% to 50%, driven by large players leveraging smart mining technologies to reduce unit costs.
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is pushing midstream producers to invest in recycled aggregate production lines, with a typical return-on-investment period of 3 to 5 years.
In construction, aggregates typically account for only 3%–5% of total project costs, leaving downstream firms with limited leverage in pricing negotiations.
Emerging applications—such as semiconductor packaging—are experiencing rapid growth in demand. However, due to high technical thresholds, only a few leading firms are positioned to capture significant value.
The policy framework of the sand and aggregate industry is transforming from “extensive supervision” to “full life cycle governance”, with environmental protection constraints, resource sovereignty and carbon neutrality goals becoming the core driving forces.
| Region | Key Policy Directions | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Asia-Pacific | China: The 14th Five-Year Plan restricts natural sand extraction, promoting manufactured sand (M-sand) to achieve an 80% substitution target by 2025. | China has shut down over 1,000 illegal sand mining sites along the Yangtze River. |
| India: The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) integrates mineral rights auctions to support infrastructure development. | India has seen a 25% increase in M-sand production capacity in 2023. | |
| North America | USA: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) prioritizes the use of domestically produced aggregates. | Texas’s solar-powered mining projects benefit from tax incentives. |
| Canada: Federal projects mandate a minimum of 10% recycled aggregate usage. | Ontario reports a 35% utilization rate of recycled aggregates in construction. | |
| Europe | EU: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes tariffs on high-carbon imports, including aggregates. | Heidelberg Materials has developed low-carbon aggregate technologies in response to CBAM. |
| Germany: New buildings are required to incorporate over 30% recycled materials by 2030. | Eastern European companies are upgrading equipment to meet EU standards. | |
| Africa & Middle East | Egypt: New urban projects mandate the use of locally sourced aggregates, with import taxes increased to 20%. | Egypt has implemented tariffs to protect domestic aggregate industries. |
| Saudi Arabia: The NEOM project requires 100% renewable energy usage in aggregate production. | Saudi Aramco is investing in zero-carbon mining operations. | |
| Latin America | Brazil: The Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) supports local aggregate supply chains. | Brazil’s M-sand exports have grown by 12% annually. |
| Mexico: Extraction restrictions have led to price volatility and underutilization of small-scale operations. | Mexico City’s metro project faced delays due to aggregate supply shortages. |
Biodiversity Offsets:
Post-Extraction Rehabilitation Bonds:
Air and Noise Pollution:
Water Pollution:
| Standard Type | Core Content | Applicable Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Standards | – EU EN 12620: Specifies aggregate grading, crushing value, clay content, etc. | Mandatory for construction projects in Europe and North America |
| – ASTM C33 (USA): Detailed specifications for sand and aggregate in concrete use | ||
| Environmental Labels | – EU Ecolabel: Requires full lifecycle environmental impact assessment for quarries | A prerequisite for green building project tenders |
| – LEED Certification: Awards credits for using recycled aggregates | ||
| Sustainability Certification | – ISO 14001: Environmental management system adopted by over 60% of major producers | Required for entry into global supply chains |
| – Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): Requires disclosure of carbon emissions and resource consumption data |
The global aggregates industry is navigating a critical juncture defined by the tension between growing incremental demand and mounting stock-based constraints. The interplay of emerging market dividends and the carbon neutrality transition compels enterprises to reconfigure competitiveness in a state of dynamic equilibrium.
Regional Trade Agreement Dividends:
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has reduced tariffs on aggregate trade among Southeast Asian countries to 5%, driving a 12% annual increase in exports from Vietnam and Indonesia.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is promoting regional capacity integration, raising local producers’ capacity utilization rates to 60%.
ESG-Investment Orientation:
Global ESG funds have increased their allocation to the aggregates industry from 2% in 2020 to 7% in 2023. Institutions such as Goldman Sachs and BlackRock have launched dedicated green infrastructure funds targeting the sector.
Commercialization of Low-Carbon Technologies:
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) costs have dropped below USD 50 per tonne, with the global market expected to exceed USD 8 billion by 2030.
Recycled aggregate technology has matured—under EU mandates, recycled content must account for at least 40%—driving construction waste recycling rates to over 70%.
Geopolitical Tensions Disrupting Supply Chains:
The Russia–Ukraine conflict has halted Eastern European aggregate exports. Polish companies are turning to North Africa, raising logistics costs by 35%.
Export control measures in Indonesia have driven up prices across Southeast Asia, with regional capacity utilization experiencing volatility of up to 20%.
The Red Sea shipping crisis has pushed maritime freight rates for aggregates between the Middle East and Europe up by 40%, delaying delivery times by 2–3 weeks (Maersk, 2024).
Circular Economy Mandates:
The EU Circular Economy Action Plan mandates that recycled aggregates comprise at least 40% of usage by 2030, requiring capital expenditures exceeding tens of millions of euros for equipment upgrades.
In Canada, new building projects must use no less than 20% recycled aggregates, but domestic producers face technology adaptation cycles of up to three years.
Patent Barriers from Emerging Technologies:
Core patents in manufactured sand grading algorithms and recycled aggregate enhancement technologies are concentrated in the hands of German and Japanese companies. Licensing fees account for 5%–8% of producers’ profits.
Resource-based giants such as Vale in Brazil are deploying vertical integration strategies, further squeezing the market space for small and mid-sized equipment manufacturers.
Collaborative R&D Among Industry, Academia, and Research Institutes:
Establish joint laboratories with universities (e.g., the China National Building Material–Tsinghua University Green Building Materials Lab), aiming to secure 200 patents within three years.
Jointly develop fine sand recovery technologies through academia-industry partnerships, increasing wastewater recycling rates to 95%.
Cross-Border Resource Integration:
Chinese enterprises are investing in production facilities in Africa (e.g., a manufactured sand project supporting a Guinea iron ore mine) to bypass trade barriers.
European companies engage in joint procurement of aggregates from North Africa, leveraging economies of scale to reduce logistics costs by 20%.
Standards Harmonization and Alliance Building:
Promote global adoption of ISO Guidelines for Sustainable Aggregate Production to reduce certification barriers.
Establish the Global Green Aggregates Alliance to enable shared access to carbon capture technology patent pools.
Strategic Client Lock-in:
Enter long-term contracts with major construction players (e.g., Vinci Group’s Paris Metro project), securing orders for the next five years.
Offer integrated “aggregates + technology + finance” service packages, boosting profit margins up to 25%.
Building a Closed-Loop Circular Economy:
Develop end-to-end value chains encompassing construction waste collection, recycled aggregate processing, and product distribution, cutting raw material costs by 30%.
Explore the use of industrial by-products (e.g., steel slag aggregates) to create a second growth curve.
| Source Name | Type | Cited Content/Example | Related Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Environment Agency (EEA) | Government Agency Report | Industrial Transformation 2030: EU mandates 40% recycled aggregate usage by 2030 | Part IV (Environmental Regulations) |
| International Energy Agency (IEA) | International Organization Report | Net Zero by 2050: Carbon capture cost in the cement industry projected to fall to $50/ton by 2030 | Part V (Response Strategies) |
| Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) | Standards Organization | GRI Standards require disclosure of carbon emissions and resource consumption | Part IV (Industry Standards and Certification) |
| International Organization for Standardization (ISO) | International Standards Organization | ISO 14040:2006 Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework | Part IV (Industry Standards and Certification) |
| McKinsey & Company | Consulting Report | Global Mining & Metals Outlook 2023: R&D spending in the aggregates sector accounts for 3–5% of total revenue | Part II (Technology Trends) |
| China National Building Material Group (CNBM) | Corporate Annual Report | Manufactured sand production exceeded 1 billion tons in 2023, with costs 15% below industry average | Part III (Key Players Analysis) |
| HeidelbergCement AG | Corporate Case Study | Carbon emissions at Brevik carbon capture site: 0.8kg CO₂ per ton (2023 data) | Part IV (Environmental Regulations) |
| International Transport Forum (ITF) | International Think Tank | Global Trade Costs 2023: RCEP reduced aggregate tariffs in Southeast Asia to 5% | Part III (Regional Market Analysis) |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Government Regulatory Document | Clean Air Act Amendments: PM emission limits tightened to 10 μg/m³ | Part IV (Environmental Regulations) |
| World Steel Association | Industry Association Report | Steel Statistical Yearbook 2023: Steel slag aggregates replace up to 25% of cement | Part II (Technology Trends) |
| International Labour Organization (ILO) | International Organization Report | Construction Sector Employment Trends 2023: Infrastructure employment in emerging markets rises to 65% | Part I (Market Overview) |
| International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) | International Energy Agency Report | Renewable Energy Statistics 2023: Aggregate demand for PV support structures growing at 18% annually | Part I (Application Scenarios) |
| United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) | International Organization Report | Industrial Development Report 2023: Aggregate resource exploitation rate in Africa below 30% | Part V (Industry Opportunities) |
| China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) | Corporate Case Study | Aggregates for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge priced at $80/ton (2023 data) | Part II (Application Scenarios) |
| European Commission | Policy Document | Circular Economy Action Plan: 70% target for construction waste recycling by 2030 | Part IV (Environmental Regulations) |
| International Association of Cement Producers (CAC) | Industry Association Report | Global Cement Report 2023: Top 5 global aggregate firms invest 3–5% of revenue into R&D | Part II (Technology Trends) |
| World Economic Forum (WEF) | International Think Tank | The Future of Construction 2023: Payback period for intelligent mining shortened to 3 years | — |
| Term | Definition | Application Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Manufactured Sand | Aggregates produced by mechanically crushing rock, with particle sizes ranging from 0.15 mm to 37.5 mm. Requires controlled fines content and proper gradation. | Concrete production, road base construction |
| Recycled Aggregate | Reusable aggregates derived from crushed and screened construction waste. Must meet requirements for strength and impurity levels. | Low-carbon concrete, subgrade backfill |
| Nano-Modification Technology | The enhancement of aggregate performance through the addition of nanomaterials (e.g., nano-silica), improving concrete compressive strength by 15–20%. | High-end construction, marine engineering |
| Term | Definition | Typical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) | An EU policy imposing carbon tariffs on imported high-emission products, effective from 2026. Covers sectors such as cement and steel. | Carbon tariff calculations for EU aggregate imports |
| Mandatory Recycled Material Inclusion Rate | A regulatory requirement that mandates the minimum percentage of recycled aggregates in construction projects. The EU’s 2030 target is set at 40%. | Germany’s recycled aggregate policy for new buildings |
| Term | Definition | Data Example |
|---|---|---|
| CR10 | Market concentration ratio of the top 10 enterprises in the industry; indicates the level of market dominance. | CR10 in China’s aggregate industry = 25% (2023) |
| ESG Investment | Investment strategy based on integrated evaluation of Environmental, Social, and Governance factors. | ESG-focused funds account for 7% of global aggregate sector investment |