Momentum has been building over the past few months for the uptake of recycled rubber material in a range of infrastructure applications.
Permeable paving, roading research and development, and optimising market readiness are all in the mix.
A New Zealand first for an Aussie innovation
October saw the first Aotearoa New Zealand installation of Porous Lane, a product developed in Australia and sold in New Zealand by Watersmart. Two and a half tonnes of recycled rubber went into the project, at Jack’s Landing in Hamilton, and more installations have followed.
Watersmart reports strong interest from local authorities, developers and specifiers. That’s because the product’s permeability supports plant growth and stormwater management. It also has carbon benefits and the ability to mitigate urban heat island effects.
A plan for recycled rubber in roading
The main drivers for using recycled rubber in roading are found in the properties of the materials themselves. Quieter and safer roads, improved performance and durability, carbon reduction, and whole-of-life costs are benefits roading network owners are looking at carefully.
Tyrewise has published its action plan, prepared by WSP NZ in conjunction with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, that outlines the next steps needed for large-scale uptake of recycled rubber in New Zealand’s roading network. This will guide some of the priorities for Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise contestable fund, as well as partnerships and supply chain development initiatives.
A roading workshop in Australia allowed New Zealand stakeholders to hear directly from a major roading procurer and roading contractors across the ditch who already have experience with recycled rubber in roading. This was supported by research presented by the National Transport Research Organisation and followed by robust discussion about market readiness, procurement drivers, supply chain opportunities, and research and development needs.
Contestable funding draws quality infrastructure applications
The first round of contestable funding for Puna Taurima, the Tyrewise fund, drew some high-quality applications, according to Tyrewise Fund Advisor Dominic Salmon: ‘A number [of applications] related to foundational research for the use of recycled rubber in infrastructure,’ says Salmon. ‘We expect to be making formal announcements about specific grants awarded shortly.’
The fund allows Tyrewise to balance short-term goals with the longer-term projects needed to lay the groundwork for using the material at scale.
‘We expect that, over time, the outputs from Tyrewise-funded research and development will lead to the growth of emerging markets,’ says Tyrewise Head of Innovation Trevor Tutt. ‘And with an action plan now in place for roading, we have a very clear path ahead of us.’