SUSTAINABLE materials supplier GRS has celebrated delivering a landmark 20 million tonnes (Mt) of primary and secondary aggregates to HS2 while exceeding performance, compliance and sustainability standards.

Representing more than 80% of the bulk fill aggregates used along the 230km route, the 20Mt achievement was delivered through GRS subsidiary Rail Stone Solutions, establishing the firm as a leading supply chain partner for major infrastructure projects

GRS is supplying all HS2’s main works contractors (Align, BBV, EKFB and SCS) and the company’s multi-modal delivery strategy has already seen over 70% of the aggregates delivered by train in partnership with GB Railfreight. This ‘rail first’ approach has helped to avoid around 700,000 vehicle journeys to date, reducing road congestion and saving an estimated 300,000 tonnes of CO₂. Rail freight typically emits around 76% less CO₂ per tonne compared with the equivalent road transport.

As an intermediary trader, GRS is uniquely placed to secure the high-volume materials needed for HS2 by sourcing from around 40 producers, orchestrating the rail, road and marine freight logistics, while taking on risk and performance obligations. The firm’s smart stockpile management system ensures efficiency and resilience by drawing on local and national material sources to avoid single-point failures, meet peak demand spikes and keep the programme on track. The company has also recovered over 1 million tonnes of tunnelling spoil and other waste materials for recycling or reuse in land restoration projects.

Gary Coles, managing director for GRS Major Projects, said: 'No single aggregates producer has the capability, customer-focus, agility or tenacity to commit to the contractual requirements of such a vast, high-profile project, with the inherent risk-share that brings. But thanks to a great in-house team, our network of material suppliers, our rail partner GB Railfreight and hundreds of local hauliers, we’ve not just reached the 20Mt milestone but also surpassed all performance expectations.

'Despite the scale and complexity of HS2 we’re working collaboratively with customers across multiple sites to manage volume fluctuations and short-notice changes to the construction programme and material demand profile. On top of that, strict compliance standards for vehicles, journeys and deliveries must be met as part of the contract. So we’re proud that we’ve achieved 97.67% route compliance and 100% material compliance so far, even when peak material demand exceeded 21,000 per day.

'The icing on the cake is that our approach also adds social value through the supply chain, supporting jobs, enhancing skills and contributing to sustainable development, as well as playing our part in helping out with local community projects,' Mr Coles added.

Experience delivering to HS2 since 2019 has helped GRS develop its next-generation bulk material logistics platform, an AI-enabled ‘Digital Control Tower’ that connects all aspects of the supply chain in real time. It provides end-to-end visibility across aggregate sources, railheads, wharves, road depots and construction sites, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery, best-for-purpose materials, and optimum circularity and carbon efficiency.

GRS CEO Jon Fisher said: 'Over the next decade numerous large-scale infrastructure schemes are expected to get off the ground, from renewable energy upgrades and transport projects to new reservoirs and flood defences. All of these require massive volumes of aggregates and the recovery of waste materials. Building on our exceptional performance with HS2, and our Digital Control Tower, we are well positioned to take the efficient supply of sustainable materials to the next level.'

GRS expects total aggregate deliveries to exceed 25 million tonnes by project completion in 2030 (enough to fill the space inside Wembley Stadum 12 times!) and the company is also gearing up for extensive land remediation activities relating to the temporary depots and enabling works for HS2.

GB Railfreight’s CEO, John Smith OBE, said: 'HS2 is a hugely important project for the UK. Once it is completed it will play a significant role in helping to move more passengers on the UK rail system and release capacity for rail freight. GB Railfreight are proud to be playing our part in HS2. Railfreight is significantly better for the environment than moving aggregates by road and the partnership between our team at GBRf and GRS has been key to the success of the project so far.'

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