Investment and innovation at Orrock Quarry

Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance has welcomed investment and innovation at Breedon’s Orrock Quarry following a visit to discuss future plans, support for existing jobs and the growing role of recycling in road construction.

During the visit, Mr Torrance met with Donald Wilkins, Planning & Estates Manager at Breedon, to hear how investment at the site can help keep local people in work while improving the way materials are supplied for roads, homes and infrastructure.

The quarry’s asphalt plant can incorporate Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP), putting material removed from old road surfaces back into use. Once removed, the material can be crushed, screened, and mixed into fresh asphalt, helping reduce waste and demand for newly quarried materials. Across Breedon’s asphalt range, recycled content can make up between 10% and 50%, depending on the project. This approach allows valuable material to be used again rather than discarded, supporting more responsible use of resources.

Mr Torrance also learned about the company’s work on the C41 road in Fife, where 4,500 tonnes of material were removed, recycled and replaced in just three days. Recycling on site avoided 450 truck movements, helping reduce congestion, noise and disruption for local communities.

Orrock is also contributing to enhanced rock weathering, which uses crushed basalt to help absorb carbon dioxide through a natural process, with the material also offering potential benefits for agricultural soil.

Commenting after the visit, David Torrance MSP said:

“It was encouraging to hear about the investment taking place at Orrock Quarry and how it can help sustain existing jobs and keep local people in work. I was particularly interested in how material taken from old road surfaces can be processed and used again in fresh asphalt. These are valuable resources, and making better use of them can reduce waste and the demand for newly quarried materials.

“The work on the C41 is a strong local example of what this approach can achieve. Fewer truck journeys mean less traffic, noise and disruption. It demonstrates why recycling should be an important consideration when planning improvements to our roads and infrastructure”

“It is positive to see Fife’s industrial expertise contributing to more responsible use of materials, with investment helping to retain skilled workers and support the site’s long-term future. For me, the priority is supporting the existing workforce and ensuring that local people can continue to rely on these jobs”

“I would like to thank Donald Wilkins and the team at Orrock for welcoming me and explaining how they are developing these approaches.”