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Research underway in Australia is examining whether crumb rubber made from end-of-life tires could play a larger role in building roads that are better suited to extreme climate conditions. ABC News recently reported on a study led by Charles Darwin University (CDU) that is testing how tire-derived crumb rubber performs in asphalt under Northern Territory conditions. Roads in the region are exposed to intense heat, high ultraviolet radiation, and heavy wet-season rainfall, all of which can accelerate cracking, deformation, and pothole formation.

The Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA), in collaboration with Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), has released a new national model specification for crumb rubber modified asphalt used on local government roads. The Crumb Rubber Modified Dense Graded Asphalt (CRM DGA) Model Specification – Light to Medium Duty Roads reflects a coordinated effort to provide clearer guidance for councils seeking to use crumb rubber in road construction and maintenance.

Boral has introduced a pioneering crumbed rubber asphalt bitumen derived from off-the-road (OTR) tyres, marking am achievement in Australia. The company claims this innovative product can extend pavement life up to twice as long as conventional road treatments, offering a sustainable and high-performance solution for infrastructure.

The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) led one of Australia’s largest multi-council projects, incorporating rubber from end-of-life tires into bitumen to enhance asphalt durability, performance, and sustainability. Conducted by RMIT University, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, titled "Life Cycle Assessment and Potential Environmental Benefits of Crumb Rubber Asphalt using Field Data," revealed that recycled rubber extends pavement life, reduces raw material demand, and lowers environmental impacts.

Conveyor belts, a common waste product in Australia, are targeted for transformative recycling efforts by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA). According to TSA’s recent report, the company seeks to revolutionize the disposal practices of the bulk handling industry, which often sends used conveyor belts to landfill due to challenges in recycling these materials. With approximately 60,000 to 85,000 tons of conveyor belts generated annually, less than 1% are currently recycled, primarily due to their complex composition and handling difficulties.

According to Bayside Council (Sydney), in June 2023, Bayside conducted a trial using recycled rubber from end-of-life car and truck tires in the asphalt mix for the first road on Willison Road, Bexley, Sydney. The roadwork resulted in an impressive appearance and sturdy performance. This paving initiative, involving 12 Sydney Councils, aims to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits by incorporating recycled tire rubber in road construction. An initial 3,600 standard passenger car tires or 2,400 car and 490 truck tires combined will be used in the crumbed rubber asphalt trial project, involving 12 Councils in the region.

Fulton Hogan Australia – a large infrastructure construction, roadworks and aggregate supplier company in Australasia and New Zealand – has recently been certified as a Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) Circular Economy Collaborator (Manufacturer). This is a Federal Government Accredited certification which recognises Fulton Hogan for playing a role in utilising Australian generated tire derived materials, contributing to a sustainable society.

The institute of Public Works Engineering Austalasia (IPWEA) holds a pitchinar “Crumb Rubber Asphalt: Performance Made Affordable For Council Roads” on Wednesday, October 20, at 10:15 am (Victoria time). In its press release, IPWEA highlights that crumb rubber has long been the territory of state road authorities but a new specification allows an affordable version for the low traffic roads managed by councils. Traditional rubber asphalt in Australia has a high bitumen content making it more expensive than standard mixes & pushing rubber out of reach as a sustainable material.

Now that Australia’s first crumb rubber bitumen blending plant opened, more end-of-life tires will be used to manufacture useful value-added products, like durable rubberized asphalt, rubberized bitumen blends, rubber coatings, etc. Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) reports that world-leading equipment specifically designed for blending crumbed rubber and bitumen has been installed and commissioned for the first time in Australia by construction giant Fulton Hogan in partnership with Tyre Stewardship Australia.