At the start of the year, the National Industry Council estimated that the construction sector had generated 46 million tonnes of waste in 2021, a large part of which was concrete. Three-quarters were inert, meaning they cannot disintegrate naturally. This is where Granudem comes in.
Founded in 2015 in Chartes by Stéphane Poullard, the company opened a branch in Esvres-sur-Indre in July 2023. It offers full recycling of concrete waste into sand and gravel of two different sizes.
At the end of the recycling chain, sand (right) and gravel (left).
© (Photo NR, Alexandre Métivier)
The Touraine site is managed by Charlotte Bernard, former employee of a Touraine consulting company, foreign to the world of industry until three years ago, but driven by a desire “entrepreneurship, short circuit and environmental commitment”. In 2021, she met Stéphane Poullard and was convinced of the idea he had.
It’s all in the washing
The project to open a Granudem branch around Tours has matured, but for it to be born, funding and entry are needed. “on a very specific sector. The association with an industrialist always makes sense. I met Pascal Chavigny, president of the group of the same name. » He was interested in it “because it allowed him to start making his concrete differently. And he had land reserves here in Esvres. »
Trucks unload rubble or collect recycled concrete aggregate.
© (Photo NR, Alexandre Métivier)
On this site of just over one hectare, neighboring a concrete plant and a professional recycling center, trucks regularly bring waste from demolitions (that of Sanitas in Tours in 2023, that in progress on the Picot and Verdun bars in Joué-lès-Tours) and “Our job is to take concrete waste, recycle it and put it back into the production of concrete for buildings. Of the concrete deposit that we will collect, 94% will be put back into the manufacture of concrete with sand and gravel, and 6% will go to the cement factories”adds Charlotte Bernard.
But how does Granudem recycle better than others? It’s all in the washing, which follows the more traditional phases of crushing and screening. In a large machine, first used in Chartres, reconditioned and reinstalled in Esvres, “the materials are washed and screened. The water used is also recycled, making us almost water self-sufficient. »
Expand volumes
Over the year 2024, 25,000 tonnes of recycled sand and gravel were put back on the market by Granudem. “What goes in comes outsummarizes Charlotte Bernard. The installation is designed to process 40 to 60,000 tonnes per year. On the Touraine market, this did not come immediately. There are always obstacles to overcome when structuring a sector. The actors must become aware of our existence and be demanding. »
Behind Charlotte Bernard, concrete waste (in the foreground) which will soon become sand and gravel (in the background).
© (Photo NR, Alexandre Métivier)
Three concrete manufacturers in the metropolis already do so, others are in the testing phase. “In 2025, the objective is to develop volumes. We will have €400,000 in turnover for 2024 and this will naturally increase significantly in 2025”ambitions the manager.
Granudem Tours, 4 Allée Ettore-Bugatti, 37320 Esvres-sur-Indre. Such. 06.38.34.14.13, www.granudem.fr.
Manager: Charlotte Bernard, manager.
Workforce: two people.
CA 2023: 100,000 euros.
EDF
“EDF Commerce Grand Center is very proud to have been a partner of Top 37 Companies for over twenty years!
Every year, The New Republic highlights the major economic players in the department, who are rewarded for their know-how and their innovative projects. It is always with great pleasure that we discover new talents and initiatives in the fields of digital technology, management, eco-citizenship or sustainable development.
This year, we are pleased to present the Sustainable and Responsible Commitment trophy to Charlotte Bernard, manager of the Granudem company located in Esvres-sur-Indre.
It is fully in line with a logic of respect for the environment and promotion of the circular economy, thus significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Finally, through this event, we wish to reaffirm EDF’s desire to support all these companies on a daily basis in their projects, as well as in their energy transition, by offering them solutions which will constitute a factor in competitiveness. »
Nicolas Plas, EDF deputy director for commerce Centre-Val de Loire.
