The availability of primary aggregate materials has been diminishing; therefore alternative materials - other than suitable recycled materials, the use of which is already widely accepted - must be found. This information paper describes the results of a pilot study, carried out as a one year Partners in Innovation project, to investigate ways of reducing the volume of primary aggregates in concrete. The study has encompassed a number of alternative technologies in the design of concrete mixes. Three technologies were evaluated in the laboratory: foamed concrete, high volume fly ash concrete and dry-pressed concrete for producing MAGCON. An environmental assessment was also undertaken. Possible applications were assessed to evaluate what savings in primary aggregate consumption could be achieved by adoption of the technologies. 8 pages.