The new Guaratuba Bridge in the state of Paraná is set to open on April 29, drawing industry attention for its use of rubberized asphalt produced with recycled end-of-life tires.

The bridge paving project used a modified asphalt mix containing recycled tire rubber, highlighting how tire recycling can contribute to infrastructure development while supporting broader sustainability and circular economy goals.

Recycled tire rubber used in paving mix

According to Greca Asfaltos, the paving material contains approximately 15% shredded recycled tire rubber.

Around 23,000 end-of-life tires were processed to produce roughly 600 tonnes of asphalt used across more than three kilometers of roadway and approximately 70,000 square meters of paved surface.

The tire material used in the asphalt was recovered through rubber recycling processes that convert end-of-life tires into processed rubber feedstock, often similar to crumb rubber used in road construction and engineered surfaces.

Using recycled tire materials in paving remains one of the most established large-scale applications for recovered rubber globally.

Performance benefits of rubberized asphalt

Technical studies linked to the project indicate that rubberized asphalt may offer performance advantages compared with conventional paving materials.

Reported benefits include:

  • Higher resistance to cracking
  • Longer service life
  • Lower road noise levels
  • Improved flexibility under temperature variation and traffic loading

Longer-lasting road surfaces can reduce maintenance frequency and lower lifecycle material use, contributing to infrastructure sustainability while creating a high-volume end market for recycled tire rubber.

For the tire recycling sector, transportation infrastructure remains a major opportunity for expanding demand for recycled rubber materials.

Recycling with social and environmental impact

The recycled rubber for the project was supplied by Strasse, a recycler operating within the Agricultural Penal Colony of Piraquara.

The program employs inmates in semi-open prison regimes in tire processing activities as part of rehabilitation and workforce reintegration initiatives, combining recycling with social development programs.

This model reflects how tire recycling projects can generate environmental benefits while also creating employment and skills development opportunities in local communities.

Brazil’s growing tire recycling market

According to figures from IBAMA, Brazil recycled approximately 784,000 tonnes of tires last year, representing nearly 95% of the country’s national target for proper end-of-life tire disposal.

Recovered tires in Brazil are processed into applications including rubberized asphalt, industrial rubber products, civil engineering materials, and alternative recovery pathways such as pyrolysis, which can generate tire-derived oil, recovered carbon black (rCB), and pyrolysis char.

Projects such as the Guaratuba Bridge demonstrate how recycled tire materials can be integrated into large infrastructure developments, creating practical end markets that support long-term sustainability and circular use of tire-derived materials.

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