Recycled plastic roads will transform infrastructure development

As new trends in the design and use of vehicles today become more important to drivers, their impact on traditional road building techniques is becoming more apparent
.

Over the next few years, this will evolve into an automated, digital industry, shaped by trends such as self-driving cars, automated production, digitalisation and the adoption of new road construction materials, according to a new study published by McKinsey & Company
.

The new roads not only look different, but are easier and faster to build and offer enhancements such as connectivity and the use of sensor technology
.

Now, Netherlands-based PlasticRoad, a 2020 joint venture between VolkerWessels and Wavin, has shown how to do just that
.

Although the company is only a year old, the company's team has been working on the concept of making roads out of scrap plastic for years
.
In fact, since 2013, two engineers, Anne Koudstaal and Simon Jorritsma, have come up with the idea of ​​creating roads from modular elements made from recycled plastic waste
.

The idea became a project, and with it, a company was created, which has developed a product portfolio featuring industrially produced infrastructure solutions aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change, the circular economy and the field of modern infrastructure challenges, such as carbon emissions, time and space constraints, and associated costs in implementing and maintaining infrastructure
.
The recycled raw materials used in the products include 100% recycled municipal plastic waste
.

The new product portfolio was officially launched at an online event on May 20
.

“PlasticRoad has come a long way since our first product trials in 2018.

Today we are officially launching our circular, climate resilient and lightweight (CCL) products to the market
.
These are industrially produced products made from plastic waste Now commercialized, we are ready
.
With the CCL200 and CCL300, we are working with our partners to achieve our shared sustainability goals
,” said Eric Kievit, General Manager of PlasticRoad
.

Since 2018, the elements have become stronger and lighter, dropping from 48 kg/m² to 40 kg/m²
.
Both CCL products promote the variety of available spaces, including for paving, water storage and drainage, and cable storage
.
The company's recently launched CCL300 product provides a water filtration system that completely eliminates the need for dedicated storm water pipes
.

New sensors have been upgraded, making it possible to expand the modular infrastructure in terms of functionality; in addition to predictive maintenance, these can now also enable connection to existing traffic management systems
.
The connection between the individual road elements and the entire structure has been strengthened
.

And, according to the company, the system offers simplified construction, management and maintenance, adding to an attractive total cost of ownership
.

PlasticRoad is already working with several partners in the Netherlands to implement their road system
.
Interest from overseas parties is also growing, the company said
.
For example, the first pilot in Mexico is underway
.

Ultimately, PlasticRoad intends to roll out its product portfolio globally
.