At present heterogeneous and fine-grained masonry rubble is recycled at a very low level. To overcome this situation the material is used as feedstock for the generation of lightweight aggregates, produced by a thermal process similar to the manufacturing of expanded clays and shales. On the basis of a literature review the suitability of masonry rubble as raw material is evaluated generally. Then materials from different recycling plants were experimentally tested. The results show, that expanded granules with defined, adjustable properties can be produced from masonry rubble. The properties of these secondary lightweight aggregates are at least equivalent to the properties of the known expanded clay aggregates.