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The first UK trial of a new type of asphalt made partly from recycled tyres has been completed successfully.
In April, a short stretch of the A90 dual carriageway between Perth and Dundee, Scotland, was resurfaced with the new material and has since undergone rigorous 'grip testing'.
Although the asphalt will continue to be closely monitored to ensure it is safe to use, the early signs have encouraged officials from developers Breedon Aggregates.
The firm has moved away from previous techniques to mix rubber into asphalt, which involved melting rubber before mixing it with stone and bitumen, by using technology from Danish company Genan to combine rubber particles directly with the binding agents.
"This could transform our approach to road surfacing in the UK," said Alan Mackenzie, chief executive of Breedon Aggregates Scotland.
"Our industry has been trying for years to successfully incorporate recycled rubber into asphalt, without much success. Thanks to this new technology, which we are partnering with Genan to promote in the UK, we can help change that."
The stretch of road used for the trial is one of the busiest in Scotland, carrying around 35,000 vehicles a day.
Author: Regional Correspondent Noel Foley (nfoley@acenet.co.uk or 0207 227 892)
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