Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) announced that a new application for crumb rubber is now ready to open pipelines to more end markets for Australia’s circular tyre economy, with value for a wide range of sectors including construction, tyre recycling, as well as manufacturing.
The solution, dubbed T-Lok Rubber Safety Barrier, was developed by the University of Melbourne and Saferoads, with funding and support from TSA.
It has been recommended for acceptance by the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Panel and is now ready to go to market, TSA revealed in a press release.
TSA emphasised that this Australian-designed, manufactured and built solution will boost used tyre recovery – 1 kilometre of T-Lok barriers consumes 12 tonnes of recycled rubber which is the equivalent of 2,000 passenger tyres.
According to projections, the product might consume up to 60,000 (360 tonnes) passenger tires annually, provided that the industry supports this invention and seizes the chance to meet its goals for recycled materials.
The inclusion of rubber crumb derived from tyres enhances the flexibility and durability of the concrete barrier resulting in better energy absorption, reduced risk to vehicle occupants and increased barrier lifespan, TSA revealed.
Furthermore, the Rubber T-Lok Barrier presents business opportunities for Australia, especially in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Tyre Stewardship Australia said this will help the country move closer to its 2030 goals of achieving an 80 per cent recovery rate from all waste streams and a 43 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.
TSA has expressed its congratulations to all individuals involved for their innovative thinking and dedication in bringing this idea to market.
