Turning tyres into acoustic barriers

Spain – Spanish company Tecnalia has been appointed leader of the 24-month European EKOPAN project which is focusing its attention on the reuse of tyres in the manufacture of items such as roadway noise barriers. The initiative corresponds with the principles laid down in Directive 2006/12/EC on waste, in which the upcycling and use of waste as raw materials are encouraged so as to preserve natural resources.

Use of a porous material like rubber provides an acoustic barrier with enhanced noise absorption properties. In addition to the upcycling aspect, this approach cuts CO2 emissions through the partial replacement of the raw material used in ordinary barriers with recycled rubber, and also delivers a weight reduction when compared with traditional concrete barriers.

Specifically, the EKOPAN project is setting out to fill the gap between the development of the acoustic panel – which was carried out in a previous research project – and the mass production and marketing phase. It is focusing on optimising the manufacturing process on an industrial scale, validating the mechanical and acoustic properties, and conducting a study that will facilitate the market penetration of the new product.