--- tokens: 1677 title: "Urban mining:\nhow Hexagon gets more out of its sites" canonical: "https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/urban-mining" lastUpdated: "2026-10-28T16:35:29+01:00" --- # Urban mining: how Hexagon gets more out of its sites Blog # Urban mining: how Hexagon gets more out of its sites In our pursuit of green, future-proof business property, the Hexagon team keeps taking innovative steps. Urban mining allows us to recover demolition waste and set the right tone from the very start of a redevelopment project. We are currently doing this in Meulebeke, where the facade panels of the former Intermat site are becoming the building blocks of a new project. Curious about the sustainable added value of urban mining? Hexagon is happy to tell you all about it. ![Urban mining](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_1852x911_crop_center-center_85_none/28831/urban-mining.webp) ## How does Flanders deal with construction and demolition waste? Did you know that 35% of waste in Flanders comes from **construction and demolition activities**? A figure that cannot be ignored. Especially when you know that 5 to 12% of total national greenhouse gas emissions are also linked to these activities. In total, the Flemish construction sector produces 15 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste a year, 90% of which consists of stony materials. 95% of those stony materials are then recycled into the foundations of roads and buildings.\* When it comes to recovering non-stony materials, however, there is still plenty of room for progress. That is why the importance of **urban mining** should not be underestimated. *(\*according to figures from the research report ‘Urban mining in Vlaanderen’ - 26/05/2021)* ![Urban mining 2](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_1920x810_fit_center-center_85_none/28835/urban-mining-2.webp) ## What is urban mining? To build in a circular way, and thus create economic, social and ecological added value, you have to take into account **the existing legacy and the future opportunities** of construction projects. That is why usable materials from old buildings and infrastructure are **recovered**, so they can then be **reused** in new buildings. In other words: urban mining. This saves natural raw materials and makes full use of the potential of existing materials. Urban mining therefore brings **a whole host of benefits**: - Less need for new raw materials - Lower environmental impact of construction projects - Less waste going to landfill - Greater energy savings - Recovered materials cheaper than new raw materials - Natural raw materials are preserved for longer ![Urban mining 4](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_1920x810_fit_center-center_85_none/28841/urban-mining-4.webp)“ ## Through urban mining, Hexagon is literally laying its own brick in the circular economy. Jelle Vandendriessche, Director of Hexagon ## How does Hexagon apply urban mining? At Hexagon, we are always striving for **improved construction processes**, from demolition to completion. At the start of every project, our team routinely looks at what is possible in terms of recirculation and sustainability. A prime example of that mindset can be found today in **Meulebeke**. Where building materials specialist Intermat was located until 2023, the **Ursus business park** will soon be built. During the demolition of the vacant buildings, Hexagon is currently putting urban mining into practice: “Through our demolition contractor BMV from Ingelmunster, our team found the opportunity to recover some of the demolition materials in Meulebeke,” says Hexagon Director Jelle Vandendriessche. “The requested Ytong panels are carefully dismantled, sawn to size on site, and then used for a new project. In this way, we are literally laying our own brick in the circular economy.” This makes the Ursus business park another flagship project for Hexagon. **To be continued …** For more info: [www.bedrijvenparkursus.be](http://www.bedrijvenparkursus.be) ![Urban mining 7](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_1920x810_fit_center-center_85_none/28842/urban-mining-7.webp) ## Share? - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxgn.be%2Fen%2Fnews%2Furban-mining "Facebook") - [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxgn.be%2Fen%2Fnews%2Furban-mining "LinkedIn") - [](mailto:?subject=Urban%20mining%3A%0Ahow%20Hexagon%20gets%20more%20out%20of%20its%20sites&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxgn.be%2Fen%2Fnews%2Furban-mining "E-mail") - [](https://wa.me/?text=Urban%20mining%3A%0Ahow%20Hexagon%20gets%20more%20out%20of%20its%20sites%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxgn.be%2Fen%2Fnews%2Furban-mining "WhatsApp") - ## Discover more Hexagon news [Read all articles ](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news "Read all articles") [![Henschel](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/22706/Henschel.webp)Read more Nieuws### Revive and Hexagon join forces again to redevelop the Henschel site in Wilrijk](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/revive-and-hexagon-join-forces-again-to-redevelop-the-henschel-site-in-wilrijk "Revive and Hexagon join forces again to redevelop the Henschel site in Wilrijk")[![Splitscreen activeren blog](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/34152/splitscreen-activeren-blog.webp)Read more Over Hexagon### There ís room for business, if we actually activate it](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/er-is-ruimte-om-te-ondernemen-als-we-ze-effectief-activeren-2 "There ís room for business, if we actually activate it")[![Een ervaren ontwikkelaar weet wanneer een dossier de moeite](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/Import-hxgn.be/Nieuws/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/29601/een-ervaren-ontwikkelaar-weet-wanneer-een-dossier-de-moeite.webp)Read more Blog### “An experienced developer knows when a deal is worth pursuing”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/een-ervaren-ontwikkelaar-weet-wanneer-een-dossier-de-moeite-waard-is "“An experienced developer knows when a deal is worth pursuing”")[![WEB BANNER BEDRIJVENCONTACTDAGEN B thumbnail](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39596/WEB-BANNER-BEDRIJVENCONTACTDAGEN_B-thumbnail_2026-10-20-135848_mnae.webp)Read more Over Hexagon### Visit Hexagon at the Bedrijvencontactdagen](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/bezoek-hexagon-op-de-bedrijvencontactdagen "Visit Hexagon at the Bedrijvencontactdagen")[![HEXAGON GHEERAERTS 6 X8 A6838 WEB](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39574/HEXAGON-GHEERAERTS-6X8A6838-WEB.webp)Read more Testimonial### “We deliberately chose a partner who shares the same sustainable vision”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/we-kozen-bewust-een-partner-die-dezelfde-duurzame-visie-deelt "“We deliberately chose a partner who shares the same sustainable vision”")[![HEXAGON 6 X8 A7932 WEB](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39599/HEXAGON-6X8A7932-WEB.webp)Read more Testimonial### “Here, everything comes together”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/hier-klopt-het-volledige-plaatje "“Here, everything comes together”")[![6 X8 A6666 HR](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39556/6X8A6666-HR.webp)Read more Testimonial### “Bedrijfsvastgoed biedt gemoedsrust aan investeerders en kansen aan kmo’s”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/bedrijfsvastgoed-biedt-gemoedsrust-aan-investeerders-en-kansen-aan-kmos "“Bedrijfsvastgoed biedt gemoedsrust aan investeerders en kansen aan kmo’s”")[![HEXAGON ACC 6 X8 A6065 WEB](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39613/HEXAGON-ACC-6X8A6065-WEB.webp)Read more Testimonial### “Convinced by Bazuin's inviting appeal”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/overtuigd-van-de-uitnodigende-uitstraling-van-bazuin "“Convinced by Bazuin's inviting appeal”")[![HEXAGON LENNY 6 X8 A6869 HR](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39622/HEXAGON-LENNY-6X8A6869-HR.webp)Read more Testimonial### “Hexagon always made us feel at ease”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/hexagon-gaf-ons-steeds-een-goed-gevoel "“Hexagon always made us feel at ease”")[![HEXAGON REVIVE 6 X8 A8256 WEB](https://dllf5dp7t3bfm.cloudfront.net/transforms/_810x540_crop_center-center_85_none/39631/HEXAGON-REVIVE-6X8A8256-WEB.webp)Read more Blog### “Twee Kranen will be an inspiring environment”](https://www.hxgn.be/en/news/twee-kranen-wordt-een-inspirerende-omgeving "“Twee Kranen will be an inspiring environment”") ## 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