Tarmac has increased its capacity to process recycled asphalt planings (RAP) by investing in a new, state-of-the-art RAP Ecological Dryer (RED dryer), one of only four units in the UK currently. The new technology, which has been installed at Tarmac’s Cross Green asphalt plant in the city of Leeds, County Yorkshire, England, is capable of using up to 50% RAP, the highest grade permitted to be reused on the local road network.
Tarmac has increased its capacity to process recycled asphalt planings (RAP) by investing in a new, state-of-the-art RAP Ecological Dryer (RED dryer), one of only four units in the UK currently.
The new technology, which has been installed at Tarmac’s Cross Green asphalt plant in the city of Leeds, County Yorkshire, England, is capable of using up to 50% RAP, the highest grade permitted to be reused on the local road network.
The company continues to expand its capacity to supply high volumes of RAP and has also invested in RED dryers at its Cornelly (south Wales) and Coxhoe (Durham, England) quarries.
The RED dryer, which will benefit local authorities, contractors and network operators accepts a mix of RAP and primary aggregates direct from the existing cold feed system removing the need for any secondary RAP processing equipment.
By increasing its capacity to recycle material which would normally go to landfill, Tarmac is helping to conserve valuable resources and significantly reduce product carbon footprint with the reuse of RAP back into new asphalt.
The system provides a highly efficient drying process which brings operational and environmental benefits compared to previous methods of heating RAP products.
Dr Martyn Kenny, director of sustainability at Tarmac, said: “Tarmac’s investment in RAP recycling technology builds on our capacity to provide customers with high-quality asphalt products that have strong environmental benefits.
“Many local authorities are now setting percentage targets for the use of recycled materials in roads and it is therefore important that we have a dedicated network of plants with the technology to reprocess recycled materials at the highest grades.
“With this technology and our manufacturing expertise, we are supporting customers in meeting their sustainability goals, as well as helping them understand the opportunities to reuse recycled materials in their highways projects.”
