Research carried out by WSP New Zealand Ltd for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on the use of end-of-life tyres in roads was recently published.
It was carried out to identify the technical, economic, commercial and environmental issues around the use of crumb rubber from end-of-life tyres as an additive to bitumen for pavement surfacings.
The research found that in theory the technology could be implemented in New Zealand. However, the decision to move to the use of water-based emulsified bitumens for surfacing construction, for worker health and safety reasons, means that the technical barriers prevent its implementation in New Zealand at present.
The report will provide a resource for researchers, contracting industry and processors of waste tyres to guide their thinking. It clearly sets out the barriers and opportunities for future developments.
Read the full report here.
