Auckland Transport (AT) has begun trialling a new asphalt product incorporating recycled tyre material, as it looks to reduce waste and emissions from road construction.
The trial, on Blockhouse Bay Road, has been developed in partnership with Ventia, Downer, Road Science and REVYRE, and will be monitored over the next decade to assess its long-term performance.
The asphalt uses a recycled polymer made from end-of-life tyres to replace about 25% of the synthetic polymer normally used in asphalt binder. Around 1,000kg of recycled tyre material was used in the project.
AT general manager of road asset maintenance and renewals Alan Wallace says the trial is aimed at finding more sustainable ways to maintain Auckland’s roads.
“This trial is about finding smarter, more sustainable ways to maintain Auckland’s roads while reducing our environmental impact.
“By testing new materials like this in real-world conditions, we can better understand how they perform over time and whether they can help us reduce emissions, minimise waste and deliver long-term value for Aucklanders.”
REVYRE chief executive Shaun Zykor says the project demonstrates how recycled materials can replace conventional products used in road construction.
“This technology gives end-of-life tyres a valuable second life in infrastructure, helping to divert waste from landfill while contributing to more sustainable roads.
“It’s a practical example of how innovative recycling solutions can replace traditional materials and support a more circular economy, without compromising on quality or performance.”
Zykor says the company’s REVPOL product is a remanufactured polymer made from recycled tyre crumb that replaces virgin petroleum-based styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), which is commonly used to improve road performance and durability.
Road Science designed and manufactured the asphalt for the trial, reporting the modified binder performed as expected during blending, transport and construction without compromising quality.
Ventia Group executive of transport Damian Pedreschi says the project demonstrates innovative materials can be incorporated into routine road maintenance.
“Delivering this trial under live traffic conditions demonstrates that innovative materials like this can be incorporated into day-to-day operations safely and efficiently.
“It also shows how collaboration across the sector can bring new ideas into practice in a way that maintains safety, quality and minimal disruption for the community.”
AT says the road will be monitored against conventional asphalt surfaces over the coming years to determine its durability and suitability for wider use.
