Malaysia’s building materials group YTL Cement, in partnership with the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) – the research arm of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), has launched a pilot project facility to repurpose concrete aggregates (RCA).
The use of RCA offers a practical solution for managing and repurposing construction waste, conserving natural resources and minimising environmental impact. RCA also decreases reliance on virgin materials from distant quarries, supporting a more sustainable and circular construction process. This new facility is closer to urban construction sites, reducing the need for long-distance transportation, thus lowering associated carbon emissions.
The RCA facility – strategically located on Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur – crushes and processes returned concrete into aggregates capable of replacing up to 30% of natural aggregates in new concrete mixes. Finer materials are then repurposed into road base or raw materials for brick making, thereby significantly reducing industry reliance on virgin resources.
Operational since June 2025, the facility repurposes fresh returned concrete which accounts for an estimated 5% of Malaysia’s annual 30 mil cu m concrete production into valuable reusable aggregates. The term ‘repurposed’ reflects YTL Cement’s commitment to reducing waste, supporting circular economy principles and mitigating the long-term environmental impact of construction activities.
The opening of the RCA facility follows the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between CREAM and YTL Cement in 2023, which focuses on three key pillars: development of construction personnel, research and development (R&D), and facilitating the construction sector’s transition towards sustainable practices.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting national efforts in sustainable development. This model can be replicated in other locations with high volumes of construction activity. Most importantly, we aim to shift industry perceptions in viewing returned fresh concrete not as waste, but as a resource that can drive sustainability,” said Datuk Aziyah Mohamed, director of YTL Cement.
“The RCA facility shows how public and private sectors can work together to accelerate innovation and realise national policy goals,” said Zainora Zainal, chief executive of CIDB Malaysia on the importance of collaboration. “This is a success story from the MOU between CREAM and YTL Cement.”
Ms Zainal added, “I truly hope that this will set the standard and encourage more industry players to consider using RCA in their building materials and for them to be inspired to create more such initiatives across the country. This is important as we collectively strive to advance sustainable construction practices in Malaysia for the long term in line with our National Construction Policy 2030’s aspirations.”
Beyond that, as part of the R&D pillar, YTL Cement and CREAM will also be working on furthering joint research and development efforts on the usage potential of RCA by-products, including aggregate fines for other building and construction purposes. These are geared towards driving greater innovation and sustainability efforts within the industry.
All images: YTL Cement
