Asphalt roads are firmly integrated in New Zealand roading design, particularly in heavy‑duty highway systems, and have the potential to be even more so. Technological developments offer significant improvements in the life cycle cost of highway roads, particularly with the sustainability‑oriented asphalt type known as Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). SMA offers a combination of good skid resistance, low noise, good water drainage and excellent wear resistance, leading to a life cycle up to 50 per cent longer than traditional asphalt roads. Modifications of this type of asphalt are now finding use in suburban streets, which cater for different traffic loads and conditions compared with highways. These developments follow extensive and well-monitored use in Europe, particularly in Germany, using VIATOP Premium – a specialised cellulose fibre from JRS, developed more than 20 years ago to ensure the long-wearing properties of roads. New Zealand production of SMA variants closely follows the design and characteristics of European SMA and its proven performance record.

More recently, rural roads have been beneficiaries of this general technology, with single-layer asphalt products replacing spray-seal and dirt roads. This has considerably increased safety and driver comfort at a reduced lifetime cost, as has been demonstrated in Europe for decades. JRS has offices in Auckland and Sydney.