Spain’s Technological Institute of Plastics has developed an innovative asphalt mix that materially improves its durability on roadways and reduces plasticity.

The asphalt mix includes discarded tires, polypropylene container caps, polyethylene packaging and polystyrene hangers. Aimplas, the Technological Institute of Plastics, led this research project called Polymix, which also included the collaboration of construction group Acciona Infraestructuras, the Madrid highway authority (Dirección General de Carreteras de la Comunidad de Madrid) and Spanish university Universidad de Cantabria. Researchers have tested these new asphalt mixes on a stretch of the M-300 roadway at access points to Alcalá de Henares (a town near Madrid).

The testing proved to researchers that the new asphalt not only complies with requirements for highway construction, but also notably reduces plasticity with respect to conventional asphalt. Further it reduces the frequency of ruts in the roadway, which are often found in high temperature climates or as a result of slow moving traffic.

Polymix asphalt mixes are generally more rigid and therefore can withstand greater traffic densities. In addition, this new compound uses smaller amounts of raw materials such as natural aggregates for its manufacture, and provides a new way to recycle plastic waste. Overall it promises more sustainable highways that have a smaller environmental impact.