GAIN™ is the acronym of the Global Aggregates Information Network. Founded in 2010, it is an entirely voluntary network of the major national and regional aggregates associations of the world. It has no commercial interests and vigorously enforces an anti-trust policy.

The essential purpose of GAIN is to openly share experiences and industry best practices in the interests of promoting the greater sustainability and performance of the aggregates industry globally. Its meetings show that the challenges experienced by the industry in various parts of the world are remarkably similar, yet different regions can have surprisingly differing solutions. Consequently, there are valuable “gems of wisdom” experiences and best practices to be exchanged.

What are Aggregates?

Aggregates are crushed stone, sand & gravel normally extracted from quarries and pits, but also from the sea (as marine aggregates); aggregates may also be produced from recycled construction and demolition materials and from by-products of other industries.  Aggregates are most often used make concrete products for construction, asphalt mixes for paving roads and also have many other applications.

GAIN was the 2010 brain-child of Jim O’Brien, then President of UEPG, as a logical and inspirational extension of the Atlantic Alliance. His vision was that the aggregates industry, despite being an essentially local industry, could share its hard-won experiences internationally and thereby enhance its performance globally. Deliberating with international colleagues, it was decided that we would give this new network the title of the Global Aggregates Information Network, which also gave the very appropriate acronym of GAIN. Since its inception, GAIN continues to uniquely be a world-wide open platform, free of geopolitics.

Vision of GAIN:

The Vision of GAIN is a truly sustainable aggregates industry globally, supplying a product essential for the well-being and continuing development of society.

Mission of GAIN:

The Mission of GAIN is the open sharing of industry best practices globally, to assist all it members towards operational excellence and greater sustainability.

In summary, GAIN aspires to be:

  • A Voice of the world-wide aggregates industry, where appropriate representing it in front of Governments, Institutions and Stakeholders.

  • A Policy Leader Platform, shaping policies for the sustainable future of the industry.

  • A Statistical Compiler of production data, giving the industry visibility and the ability to identify economic trends.

  • A Strategic Advisor and Sustainability Promoter for the industry

  • A Technical and Collaborative Platform to share industry Best Practices through its specialised professional network.

Some Key Facts:

  • Aggregates are the most used bulk product on the planet, with a global annual production of just on 40 billion tons.

  • This equates to a usage of just on 5 tons per capita per year.

  • These aggregates are extracted from approximately 200,000 quarries and pits around the world, employing some 3 million people, both directly and indirectly; most industry players are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

GAIN World Map

GAIN members are shown on the global map, which together represent some 75% of the global aggregates production of ~40 billion tons). GAIN is represented on all six continents, namely Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and North and South America.

GAIN has the ambition to continue grow geographically, ideally in South-East and Central Asia, in the Middle-East, in Africa and in Latin America. If your aggregates association wishes to join GAIN, you are welcome to contact us using the Contact-Us page, or to enquire directly to jimobriencsr@gmail.com.