Colas creates Nexstone, a French leader in construction materials

Colas is launching Nexstone, a new company that brings together all its activities of construction materials production, recovery and recycling in France. The aim is to increase the visibility of these activities, a strategic priority of Colas' development. By simplifying and harmonizing the way these businesses operate, Nexstone is improving their performance in the service of customers and stakeholders. 

A unified local network for a tailored response to customer needs
Nexstone brings together the activities previously carried out by four companies1, each covering part of France. 

Nexstone relies on a dense, structured and unified network to meet the specific needs of its various customers. A total of 36 million tonnes of natural or recycled aggregates and concrete are produced every year at more than 400 sites (quarries, recycling platforms and ready-mix concrete plants) throughout France. 

These points of sale enable Nexstone to offer a wide range of construction materials, both from its own production and from trading. By favoring the use of local materials, Nexstone offers its customers accessible solutions while limiting the environmental impact. Nexstone also aims to be an innovative player in its sector, in particular by speeding up its digitization. 

Nexstone offers its customers a personalized service thanks to the introduction of a digitized customer area that makes it easier for them to purchase materials. In 2023, Colas also acquired Rockease, an independent platform for online sales of construction materials, in order to facilitate contacts between customers and suppliers.

A strong commitment to the circular economy and recycling 
To meet today's environmental challenges, Nexstone places the circular economy and the management of natural resources at the heart of its activities. The company plans to extend its network of 200 Valormat platforms to more than 400 by 2027. Valormat platforms ensure the recovery and recycling of materials resulting from development and demolition. 

In 2024, through its Valormat platforms, Nexstone produced 8 million tons of recycled aggregates. The company has set itself the target of increasing production by 50%2 to 10.5 million tons by 2027. 

As proof of Nexstone's determination to guarantee compliance with regulatory requirements and promote transparency, a large number of its quarries have been Cap Environnement - Unicem certified (formerly Charte Environnement), thus affirming its commitment to sustainable and ecologically responsible development. Nexstone's ambition is to extend this certification to all its quarries in the coming years. 

Lastly, Nexstone confirms its commitment to making every quarry work for local communities, through a guide to quarry redevelopment solutions for all stakeholders.

"Nexstone is accelerating the development of our natural and recycled materials business. Unifying our network of sites will enable us to serve all our customers more effectively, by meeting the local needs of tradespeople while simplifying the experience for key accounts", says Thierry Méline, Vice President, France. 

Nexstone has almost 1,100 employees and plans to recruit around 60 new talents this year.

1 Carrières et Matériaux Nord-Est, Carrières et Matériaux Grand-Ouest, Carrières et Matériaux Sud-Est, Carrières et Matériaux Normandie

2 In relation to the launch of Valormat in 2022