Recycling in the construction industry

Circular economy and sustainable environmental remediation by roxit
A conveyor system transports processed rock or recycled material onto a large pile of material at an industrial plant © Enrique del Barrio/stock.adobe.com
© Enrique del Barrio/stock.adobe.com

roxit stands for recycling in the construction sector, combining environmental responsibility with technical excellence. Our goal is to reduce the environmental impact of building materials and to counteract the shortage of raw materials. We view the circular economy as a strategic extension of our expertise in raw materials and building materials. In doing so, we support construction companies, public sector clients, industrial and infrastructure operators, as well as property owners and developers, in conserving resources, closing material loops and increasing the recycling rate of construction waste.

Reducing environmental impact, counteracting raw material shortages

Through cost-effective construction waste management and environmental remediation, we recover higher-value material streams and return them to the building materials production process as secondary raw materials. Innovative recycling processes increase material recovery and reduce the need for landfill capacity. Our service portfolio is supported by innovative recycling processes, certified recycled materials, a network of recycling facilities and efficient logistics expertise.

Key areas of focus are:

Why the circular economy is essential for the construction sector

The construction industry is one of Europe’s largest consumers of resources. At roxit, we recognise the importance of exploring new ways in order to use resources more efficiently. The circular economy is therefore becoming a key driver of both environmental and economic sustainability.

  • Conserving resources and reducing environmental impact

    The construction sector requires significant quantities of primary raw materials, while also generating large volumes of construction waste. Our goal is to use primary raw materials efficiently, to increase the use of secondary raw materials where appropriate, and to reduce the industry’s environmental impact in a sustainable manner.

  • Unlocking the potential of construction waste

    A substantial share of construction waste – particularly excavated soil remains unused despite its potential for reuse. At the same time, recycled building materials meet only a small share of regional demand, even though there is clearly significant untapped potential. We unlock this potential through modern recycling processes and value stream management.

  • Regulatory pressure and future-readiness

    National and European regulations are tightening requirements for recycling and circularity. By 2030, emissions limits, waste legislation and product standards will be interlinked, with the goal of increasing recycling rates and reduce the landfill disposal of certain materials.

Who we work for

roxit’s recycling services are aimed at a wide but clearly defined group of clients who require sustainable, economical and technically reliable solutions in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

  • Public sector clients
    A specialised vehicle is spraying material onto a carriageway, followed by a road-maintenance machine on a country road; dust or mist can be seen forming during the operation © Martin Červeňanský/roxit

    Public sector clients

    • Road authorities
    • Cities and municipalities
    • Regional infrastructure authorities
    • Clients in traffic route construction
  • Construction companies and infrastructure operators
    A road-construction machine (grader) is levelling an unpaved road on a construction site in open countryside © roxit

    Construction companies and infrastructure operators

    • General contractors in road and traffic route construction
    • Civil engineering and earthworks contractors
    • Specialist contractors for concrete surfaces, industrial sites and logistics facilities
  • Industrial and logistics companies
    Aerial view of an airport runway with taxiways, markings and surrounding infrastructure areas © Oliver Russ/roxit

    Industrial and logistics companies

    • Operators of logistics centres, terminals and industrial estates
    • Companies with large traffic and operational areas
  • Property and project developers
    Aerial view of a large-scale building materials plant with stockpiles, conveyor systems and construction machinery in an open landscape © roxit

    Property and project developers

    • Developers of property and urban development projects
    • Operators of commercial and industrial sites
  • Engineering firms & consultants
    Bridge construction in civil engineering, involving solid concrete piers, formwork and scaffolding on a building site © Lev/stock.adobe.com

    Engineering firms & consultants

    • Planning offices and geotechnical engineers
  • Demolition contractors and the waste management sector
    A road construction machine is processing broken-up asphalt and rock material on a building site, whilst people in protective clothing stand nearby © Sebastian Klorek

    Demolition contractors and the waste management sector

    • Contractors performing excavation and demolition work
  • Small-scale business and private clients
    Roadworks involving fresh tarmac being laid by a person using a hand tool, whilst in the background a roller compacts the surface © Studio Peace/stock.adobe.com

    Small-scale business and private clients

    • Owners of service roads, car parks and smaller traffic areas
    • Smaller businesses undertaking rehabilitation projects

Circular economy at roxit

At multiple sites in selected countries, we provide sustainable solutions across the recycling value chain.

A mobile crushing and screening plant processes rock and recycled material on an open site, surrounded by spoil heaps and rolling countryside. © Nikolaus Brandner/roxit

Gaaden quarry, Austria

  • Land restoration 
  • Acceptance and processing of excavated soil
  • Production of recycled aggregates and substrates

Recycling centre in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

  • 3 sites for recycling construction waste and excavated soil
  • On-site recycling capacity of up to 150,000 t/a

Our partners

roxit has a strong network of partners and works with a variety of specialised companies, including KAB in asphalt milling, TPA for expert reports and testing, and, in project business, the STRABAG companies specialising in construction services. Based on these partnerships, roxit supports construction companies, public sector clients and industrial partners in implementing sustainable construction projects and developing  circular value chains in the construction sector.

Key benefits of roxit’s recycling services for the construction industry

By integrating recycling into the construction industry, roxit contributes to conserving resources and ensures that projects are both technically reliable and economically efficient. To achieve this, we rely on circular economy principles and innovative technologies that combine environmental requirements with high execution quality.

Sustainable circular economy
We increase recycling rates and expand the use of secondary raw materials.
Modern technology
Innovative methods such as cold recycling enable fast, cost-effective and low-carbon rehabilitation.
High capacity and regional focus
With operations in multiple European countries, we provide comprehensive recycling solutions. A case in point: our equipment allows us to achieve cold recycling capacities of up to 800,000 m² per year.
Certified quality and compliance
Our services meet the highest standards and are supplemented by comprehensive documentation, including supporting evidence and material classifications.
Reliable project management
Drawing on our extensive experience, we deliver scalable, technically robust solutions – supported by a high-performance infrastructure and state-of-the-art machinery.
Quality assurance
Our formulation records and performance documentation ensure reliable results, making roxit a dependable partner for construction projects of all sizes.
Motorway roadworks involving a milling machine and lorries on a concrete carriageway, whilst traffic continues to flow in the adjacent lane © Lumir Mensik/roxit

Recycling mineral building materials: the circular economy in practice

We selectively use mineral construction and demolition materials, such as concrete rubble, milled asphalt and excavated soil, for resource-efficient rehabilitation. Modern crushing and screening technology, stationary and mobile plants, and quality-assured processes enable environmentally friendly recycling processes. With this approach, we increase the share of secondary raw materials and reduce transport distances and CO₂ emissions – a key component of the circular economy.

Cold recycling for low-carbon and cost-effective road rehabilitation

Cold recycling is one of the most efficient methods for sustainably rehabilitating roads while conserving valuable resources. Unlike conventional asphalt resurfacing, the existing material is reused without being heated. This reduces energy consumption, lowers emissions and significantly shortens construction times. roxit is already successfully applying this technology in multiple countries and is working to expand its use on an international scale.

A road construction machine processes recycled asphalt materials directly on the carriageway, whilst a lorry feeds the material into it © Valentin Seidler/roxit

What is cold recycling?

In cold recycling, the damaged road surface is milled off, crushed to a specific size, mixed with a suitable binder (such as bitumen emulsion, foamed bitumen or cement) and immediately placed back down. The process does not involve any heat and allows the existing road layers to be reused. This significantly reduces the need for new raw materials such as aggregate and bitumen.

In situ and in plant: two approaches to sustainable road rehabilitation

There are two methods of sustainable road rehabilitation: in situ and in plant.

A specialised machine for in-situ cold recycling processes existing road material directly on site, whilst tankers supply binding agents and staff supervise the work © Damir Pocrnja/roxit

In in-situ rehabilitation, all work steps are carried out in a single operation directly on-site: milling, mixing, compaction and the addition or incorporation of binding agents.
Advantages:

  • Ideal for country roads and secondary roads
  • Flexible construction processes
  • In suitable cases, full road closure is not required
  • Short construction times
A cold recycling plant processes pre-treated asphalt material at a construction site; a conveyor belt loads the recycled material onto lorries, whilst tankers and machinery are parked in the background © Damir Pocrnja/roxit

In-plant rehabilitation involves milling off the damaged road surface, transporting it to a nearby mixing plant for processing, and then returning it to the construction site for placement.
Advantages:

  • Precise control of material composition
  • Ability to meet high quality standards
  • Particularly suitable for motorways and expressways

Both methods provide a cost-efficient, resource-saving and technically high-quality way to renew road structures.

Why cold recycling is so efficient

Cold recycling is one of the most efficient methods of road rehabilitation for several reasons:

Cold recycling therefore offers a compelling solution for renewing road infrastructure quickly, cost-effectively and with a significantly reduced environmental impact.

A road recycling machine processes existing material on the carriageway and spreads it evenly, whilst a second machine in the background continues to work on the surface. © SAT

Costs and economic viability of recycling processes

The costs of recycling services always depend on the specific project parameters. Key factors include material quantities, logistics, site area, quality requirements and local conditions. Because many processes are based on reusing existing materials and reduce transport needs, they often offer economic advantages over conventional construction methods. For each project, we prepare a transparent, technically sound cost calculation that takes into account planned work steps, material flows and quality parameters.

What makes roxit unique in the market?

The transition from linear construction towards a circular economy is fundamentally reshaping construction processes. The processing of construction waste and the targeted management of material flows are becoming increasingly important – not only due to regulatory requirements but also in response to increasingly scarce resources. roxit focuses on the technical implementation of these requirements: from properly processing mineral materials to recycling solutions and landfill management. Our focus is on practical, cost-effective solutions along the entire material cycle. In addition, we are strategically expanding our portfolio to include sustainable building materials, for example eco-friendly insulation materials such as hemp. This allows us to combine recycling with resource-efficient construction and take an integrated approach to the circular economy – from raw material extraction and processing through to reuse.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about recycling