New Zealand is set to trial its first rubber-modified asphalt road surface, marking a notable development in the country’s efforts to find higher-value applications for end-of-life tyres. According to Radio New Zealand, the Selwyn District Council in Canterbury is planning a trial section in Glentunnel on State Highway 77, with work expected to begin in early 2026. The initiative forms part of the council’s wider exploration of innovative materials and construction methods to improve road performance and long-term resilience.

Treadlite, New Zealand’s tyre recycling plant processing domestic end-of-life rubber products, will supply the recycled rubber granules for the proposed trial. Executive Director Brad Pierce confirmed that the company is working with the council’s contractor to provide the material, noting his expectation that recycled rubber will soon play a larger role in New Zealand’s road network. Treadlite also operates as an approved collector within the Tyrewise stewardship system and provides nationwide tyre collection and recycling services for a range of products.

Rubber-modified asphalt is widely used internationally, including in Australia, the United States, South Africa, China and the European Union, where it has demonstrated benefits such as longer pavement life, reduced noise and improved performance under various traffic and climate conditions. As highlighted by Tyrewise, the Selwyn trial reflects a shift in New Zealand toward treating end-of-life tyres as a resource for long-life infrastructure applications rather than a waste challenge. With Tyrewise now operating as the country’s regulated product stewardship scheme, supply chain assurances, material traceability and regulatory support have improved, enabling councils to consider established technologies backed by global evidence.

The trial also aligns with broader goals around resource efficiency and carbon reduction. Using recycled rubber in road construction can extend pavement life, reduce maintenance needs and generate domestic demand for locally processed tyre material. For New Zealand, where end-of-life tyre management has historically faced logistical and market-related constraints, such applications represent a potential step toward a more stable and circular national system.

Selwyn District Council’s initiative sits within a wider programme of innovation in the region’s infrastructure planning. As reported by Radio New Zealand, the council is exploring several approaches to enhance asset performance, manage growth pressures and improve stormwater resilience. The rubber-modified asphalt trial contributes to this broader strategy while offering insights that may be relevant for other jurisdictions considering similar circular solutions.

More information on the trial and the council’s broader infrastructure initiatives is available in the original Radio New Zealand article.