Demolition
Colas, through its subsidiary Premys, carries out deconstruction and demolition works on buildings of all sizes, in urban, industrial, or sensitive contexts.
Since its inception, this core activity has been at the heart of Premys’ expertise, a cornerstone of its development, now deployed across the entire French territory.
Sustainable expertise serving the regions
Our interventions combine technical expertise, safety, and environmental performance, maximizing the recovery of materials from sites.
Through a risk-prevention approach, traceability, and circular economy principles, Premys supports the sustainable transformation of regions.
Recognized expertise for complex projects
Demolition of buildings in urban and industrial environments
Our teams work on a variety of structures—commercial buildings, residential complexes, industrial sites, or civil and maritime works—using tailored techniques:
- Mechanical demolition with hydraulic excavators equipped with concrete crushers, sorting grabs, rebar shears, hammers, and more. These tools allow targeted deconstruction, gradually fragmenting structures for optimized sorting and material recovery.
- Manual demolition in constrained or partially occupied sites.
- Specialized techniques such as cutting, coring, nibbling, jacking, and scraping.
Each project is preceded by a detailed study, including asbestos and PEMD surveys, along with a strict prevention plan.
Managing technical and safety constraints
Demolition sites carry high risks due to co-activity, unstable structures, and disturbances.
Premys relies on trained, certified, and authorized teams, along with proven safety protocols:
- Marking and phasing of work areas,
- Continuous monitoring of dust, vibrations, and noise emissions,
- Environmental monitoring and waste traceability.
Selective deconstruction: a driver for the circular economy
Selective deconstruction involves gradually dismantling structures, separating materials at the source to maximize their reuse or recycling. This approach significantly reduces the environmental impact of construction sites and helps preserve natural resources.
Sorting, traceability, and material recovery
Each operation includes on-site source sorting following the 7/8-stream principle, with collection and temporary storage.
Materials are then reused on other sites or sent to Colas Group recovery platforms and approved treatment centers.
Accurate monitoring of recovery indicators ensures environmental compliance and operational transparency.
Integration into Colas industrial channels
Inert materials, concrete, and aggregates from deconstruction are recycled within Colas channels for reuse in infrastructure projects.
This virtuous cycle helps reduce CO₂ emissions, limit raw material extraction, and promote local reuse.
Supporting the transformation of regions
Premys: the Colas subsidiary dedicated to deconstruction
A responsible and efficient approach
Premys specializes in deconstruction, asbestos removal, and building stripping, ensuring a comprehensive and controlled handling of the end-of-life of structures.
Its expertise is built on certified procedures, specialized equipment, and nationwide presence, enabling it to manage all types of projects in urban or industrial environments.
Examples of flagship projects
- Thermes d’Aix-les-Bains (73): selective deconstruction of a heritage complex, achieving 90% material recovery.
- Industrial site in Mazingarbe (62): mechanical demolition of complex structures under co-activity constraints and enhanced safety measures.
These projects demonstrate Premys’ ability to combine performance, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Frequently questions
Demolition involves taking down a structure entirely, while deconstruction gradually dismantles it to separate and recover materials. This selective approach promotes reuse, recycling, and reduces the environmental impact of the site.
Premys works on all types of structures: commercial buildings, residential complexes, industrial sites, and civil or heritage structures. Each project is preceded by a detailed assessment and a prevention plan tailored to the site’s technical and safety constraints.
Safety is a top priority. Sites are managed by certified and authorized teams following strict procedures: marking and phasing of work areas, monitoring of dust, vibrations, and noise, along with continuous environmental oversight.
Materials are sorted, tracked, and recovered through approved channels within the Colas Group and its partners. Concrete, metals, plastics, and wood are reused or recycled, contributing to a tangible circular economy and reducing waste.
Tell us about your project
Do you have a demolition, deconstruction, or building rehabilitation project?
Our Colas & Premys experts support you with tailored solutions, combining safety, performance, and sustainability.
