Mineral Products Association

CALL FOR ENTRIES! We've extended the deadline for entries into our ever-popular MPA Nature Photo Competition, celebrating the incredible flora and fauna on active and restored mineral products sites! Entries are open to employees and contractors of all MPA members - on quarries and other manufacturing sites - plus all the volunteers who help maintain the numerous nature reserves created after quarrying.   To allow time for submissions, we have extended the deadline to Thursday 1st October 2026. Vouchers for photographic equipment will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each category. The mineral products industry has a long legacy of quality restoration and is uniquely placed to protect and enhance UK biodiversity, including rare and threatened species. High standards of site management, collaboration with NGOs, plus imaginative restoration and after-use strategies contribute significantly to the achievement of UK biodiversity targets. Visit the MPA website to find out more - link in the comments. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Natural England The Wildlife Trusts RSPB Bumblebee Conservation Trust Freshwater Habitats Trust Bat Conservation Trust Mammal Society Butterfly Conservation Wildfowl & Wetland Trust The Woodland Trust #essentialmaterials #sustainablesolutions #biodiversitynetgain #natureconservation Pictured are award-winning entries from previous years: •       Reedbeds in early morning light | Cleveland Lakes | by Jill Bewley •       Oystercatcher | Gallows Hill Quarry | Ian Rumbellow •       Dark green fritillary butterflies | Arcow Quarry | by Michael Cardus •       Broad bodied chaser dragonfly | Cossington Meadows | by Mike Belson •       Kingfisher | Hereford Quarry | by Adrian Radnor

NEW CEO: We are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Adeleke as our new Chief Executive Officer. He joins MPA from his role as Executive Director for Strategy, Policy & Communications at the GCCA – Global Cement and Concrete Association. With more than 20 years of senior leadership experience, Paul is widely recognised for his expertise in public affairs, strategic communications, sustainable development and industry advocacy, as well as his ability to build strong relationships with governments, regulators and key stakeholders. “Mineral products are fundamental for the economy, society and the transition to a sustainable future," said Paul. "It’s a critical time for the industry and there’s work to be done to secure the recognition and supportive policy landscape the sector needs to play its vital role and remain viable. I’m looking forward to working with our members, policymakers and stakeholders to ensure our voice is heard loud and clear.” This is UK Concrete Asphalt Industry Alliance The Concrete Centre MPA Precast MPA Lime BMAPA MPA Mortar MPA Health and Safety #MPA #mineralproducts #essentialmaterials #sustainablesolutions

FIRM FOUNDATION: Scotland’s producers of essential minerals have called on The Scottish Government to unlock growth, streamline planning and support the construction supply chain in #Scotland. In a new report 'Priorities for Scotland', MPA Scotland warns that rising taxation, lengthy planning processes and high energy costs are threatening investment and stifling growth in a sector that underpins every building project. To address these issues, the document outlines practical policy measures for the new term of The Scottish Parliament. These include resisting unnecessary changes to the Scottish Aggregates Tax to ensure Scottish producers can remain competitive, reviewing Scotland’s mineral planning and permitting systems to enable future materials demand to be met, and establishing a Scottish Minerals Forum to encourage better interaction between the Scottish Government and industry. #PrioritiesForScotland #ScottishInfrastructure #ScottishEconomy #ScottishGrowth Scottish Futures Trust Scottish Government - Procurement and Property Transport Scotland Scottish Enterprise #EssentialMaterials #SustainableSolutions

Check out this report from Channel 4 News that looks at how crushed 0-2mm basalt from our Builth Wells quarry in Powys is helping increase the success and productivity of tree planting while removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.   Our ‘magic substance’ has been trialled in a world-first trial carried out by The Carbon Community, a charity dedicated to creating forests and accelerating carbon removal.   The project assessed the effects of applying crushed basalt to fertilise trees and the fungi in soil that support tree growth as well as capture CO₂ through enhanced rock weathering (ERW).   👀: https://lnkd.in/d98q_CZg Elliot Wellbelove Gareth Day Marius Klein Lucas Steadman DYLAN DAVIES Mineral Products Association #TheCarbonCommunity #HeidelbergMaterialsUK #ERW #Basalt #CarbonReduction #NaturePositive

CIRCULAR ACTION: We've published the UK concrete industry's Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), the first of its kind for any major structural material. An evolution of work the industry has been championing for over 10 years, this evidence-based plan sets out how the UK concrete industry will sustain the material's value throughout its lifecycle and work across the supply chain to help accelerate circularity in construction. Concrete has long been the backbone of the built environment, shaping our homes, places of work and leisure, public amenities and national infrastructure. The CEAP is structured around the lifecycle stages of concrete and concrete products and introduces objectives, actions and metrics to help the sector respond to evolving policy and market expectations. Read the full action plan here: https://lnkd.in/eUWWb6ue #circularity #circulareconomy This is UK Concrete Construction Leadership Council The Concrete Centre Constructing Excellence MPA Precast Construction Industry Council (CIC) Our Shared Understanding: a circular economy in the built environment UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) #essentialmaterials #sustainablesolutions

A CONCRETE PLAN: Andy Burnham’s emerging vision for the UK includes a welcome focus on “...a concrete plan to reindustrialise the birthplace of the industrial revolution.” As the country's trade body for essential mineral products, we always welcome a concrete plan - quite literally - but that means stopping the drift to deindustrialisation we are experiencing right now. UK industry has faced a tough few years and getting industrial policy right could save thousands of high-skill, regional jobs that already exist, as well as help grow those of the future. The UK needs a secure, sovereign supply of the essential materials that build homes, roads and rail, energy and water infrastructure, data centres and gigafactories. Domestic public procurement, updated national planning guidelines for essential minerals, and a watertight carbon border mechanism are among the straightforward, practical steps that would strengthen UK competitiveness and boost confidence to invest in industry. A successful reindustrialisation strategy must not only create new industries – it must first halt deindustrialisation in the essential industries like mineral products on which everything else relies. Read the latest opinion piece from Robert McIlveen MPA Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs: https://lnkd.in/eiN3bpDn #Burnhamism #Reindustrialisation #GoodGrowth This is UK Concrete Department for Business and Trade Construction Leadership Council Build UK Constructing Excellence #EssentialMaterials #SustainableSolutions