Tyrewise and WSP Research will host an online event on November 18, 2026, examining how recycled tire materials could be used more widely in New Zealand’s road infrastructure. The session, titled “From tyres to roads: Overcoming the barriers to recycled rubber in New Zealand,” will focus on three WSP research projects funded through Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise Fund. The projects address the use of devulcanized rubber in spray-seal binder emulsions, regulatory and specification barriers affecting tire-derived bitumen binders, and the development of an evidence-based framework for assessing environmental considerations associated with tire-derived products in roads. Together, the projects are intended to address technical, environmental and regulatory obstacles that currently limit the wider use of recovered tire materials in New Zealand’s roading sector. The event will be hosted by Trevor Tutt of Tyrewise, with Matt Sharp, Principal – Pavements and Materials at WSP Research, presenting the research program and its potential to support new domestic markets for materials recovered from end-of-life tires.

Research focuses on wider use of tire-derived products in roads

The event will examine how tire-derived products can be incorporated into New Zealand’s road construction and maintenance sector.

Tyrewise says recycled tire materials offer opportunities for the roading industry, but broader adoption remains constrained by technical requirements, environmental considerations and existing regulatory and procurement frameworks.

Puna Taurima funds three WSP research projects

WSP has received funding through Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise Fund, for three research projects intended to address specific barriers to the use of recycled tire materials in roads.

The projects cover spray-seal applications, road specifications and environmental assessment.

Devulcanized rubber being evaluated for spray seals

The first project investigates how devulcanized rubber can be incorporated into modified binder emulsions used in spray-seal applications.

The research will examine whether these formulations can meet the performance requirements of New Zealand road contractors while creating a potential outlet for rubber recovered from end-of-life tires.

Road specifications may restrict recycled tire binders

A second WSP project is examining existing roading specifications to identify requirements that may restrict the use of tire-derived products in bitumen binders.

The work is intended to determine whether current specifications create technical or procedural barriers that could be addressed without compromising pavement performance.

Environmental assessment framework under development

The third project focuses on environmental considerations associated with the use of tire-derived products in roads.

WSP is developing an evidence-based framework intended to help stakeholders evaluate environmental impacts when recycled tire materials are incorporated into road applications.

The framework is expected to provide a more structured basis for assessing proposed projects and materials.

Research aims to unlock domestic markets for recovered tire materials

One of the main objectives of the research program is to create additional domestic markets for materials recovered from New Zealand’s end-of-life tires.

Road infrastructure can potentially consume significant quantities of recycled rubber if suitable technical specifications, environmental safeguards and procurement pathways are established.

Rubberized road applications could support tire recycling

Using recycled rubber in road binders can provide an additional material recycling route for end-of-life tires alongside other applications for recovered rubber.

For New Zealand’s tire stewardship system, developing reliable domestic outlets is important because collection and recycling capacity ultimately depend on sustained demand for the materials produced from recovered tires.

Tyrewise links research with stewardship objectives

Trevor Tutt of Tyrewise will host the discussion and introduce the projects being supported through Puna Taurima.

The session will consider how the research fits within the wider tire stewardship system and how stronger markets for recycled tire materials could support circular economy objectives.

Matt Sharp to present WSP research program

Matt Sharp, Principal – Pavements and Materials at WSP Research, will present an overview of the three projects.

Sharp has 16 years of experience in construction materials and specializes in optimizing existing materials and construction methods as well as evaluating alternatives.

His current research includes alternative pavement materials ranging from bio-based substitutes for bitumen to recycled materials used in road construction.

Industry engagement forms part of research approach

WSP’s work involves cooperation with industry stakeholders to evaluate practical requirements and improve the potential for research outcomes to be implemented in real-world road projects.

This is particularly important for recycled tire materials because successful adoption depends not only on laboratory performance but also on contractor practices, specifications, procurement rules and environmental acceptance.

Road sector could become significant outlet for recycled rubber

If the identified barriers can be addressed, road applications could provide an additional large-volume market for recycled tire rubber in New Zealand.

Developing such markets could strengthen the economics of tire recycling by increasing demand for recovered materials while reducing dependence on lower-value recovery pathways.

Online event scheduled for November 18

The webinar will take place online on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 11:00 PM to 11:50 PM as listed on the Microsoft Teams event page.

The event is open to anyone and will provide an overview of the research underway, the challenges it seeks to address and its potential significance for New Zealand’s tire recycling and road infrastructure sectors.

Research addresses technical and regulatory barriers simultaneously

By examining material performance, road specifications and environmental assessment in parallel, the WSP projects are intended to address several of the main factors that can prevent recycled tire materials from progressing from research into widespread commercial use.

The outcome could help provide clearer pathways for incorporating tire-derived products into New Zealand roads while supporting stronger domestic markets for materials recovered from end-of-life tires.

Source: Tyrewise and WSP webinar.