Sustainable road construction specialist PRG Scotland has launched trials of a pothole repair material derived from waste tyres in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council. The initiative is part of the UK Government-backed Live Labs 2 programme, which supports innovation aimed at reducing carbon emissions from local road infrastructure.

Recycling End-of-Life Tyres into Road Materials

The material being tested contains an additive produced from end-of-life tyres (ELTs). The additive is designed to enhance the performance of bitumen used in road repairs while also lowering the associated carbon footprint of the asphalt mixture.

Key objectives of the trial include:

  • Improving durability and performance of pothole repair materials
  • Reducing lifecycle emissions linked to road maintenance
  • Increasing the use of recycled materials in infrastructure projects
  • Supporting circular economy solutions for waste tyres

By incorporating recycled tyre material into road repair applications, the project aims to help local authorities progress toward Net Zero targets.

Supporting Domestic Tyre Recycling

Beyond emissions reduction, the trial also supports the domestic recovery of waste tyres by creating additional end-markets within the UK. Expanding infrastructure applications for recycled tyre materials can reduce the need to export end-of-life tyres while strengthening local recycling value chains.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

The project represents a collaborative approach involving:

  • Local government (North Lanarkshire Council)
  • Industry innovation (PRG Scotland)
  • National research and innovation funding through the Live Labs 2 programme

These partnerships are increasingly viewed as essential for testing and validating low-carbon alternatives for road construction and maintenance.

Further results and performance data from the trial are expected as the project progresses.

Article by Highway News.