Motorways of the future to be made of recycled plastics?

The Netherlands – Major road constructor KWS Infra, a subsidiary of the Dutch VolkelWessels group of companies, has launched a plan to create motorways made of recycled plastics.

Plastic Road consists of 100% recycled material; this prefab construction is lightweight and is hailed as a sustainable alternative to the asphalt traditionally used to make motorways. Plastic offers many advantages compared to current road structures, according to KWS Infra’s managing director Rolf Mars.

‘Plastic Road is almost 100% maintenance free,’ he points out. ‘It is resistant to corrosion and weathering, it can easily bear temperatures from -40 to +80 degC and it is much more resistant to chemicals. We estimate that the lifespan of roads can be tripled.’

Another major advantage of Plastic Road is ease of installation on a surface of sand. Furthermore, the hollow space created in the road can be used for water retention or for electric cables and pipes.