About Rubber-Modified Asphalt for Highway Pavement in the USA

Tires that have served their time are used to make the road paving process more environmentally friendly. Rubber Modified Asphalt (RMA), developed by Michelin North America's subsidiary Lehigh Technologies, is made from powdered recycled tire rubber, and this material is currently being used to coat the Lawrenceville Highway in the state of Georgia, USA.

There are currently two different ways to modify liquid bitumen for road repair: the first is with synthetic polymers of petroleum origin, and the second is with rubber-modified asphalt. RMA is described as a highly effective material and is produced using the company's micronized rubber powder MicroDyne and the patented Rheopave additive. To date, this mixture has been used to create over 1,500 kilometers of roads.