The UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development has teamed up with tyre manufacturer Michelin to launch a pilot programme to test environmentally friendly road construction materials.

Under a two-month pilot programme, a national green road network will be constructed using a mixture of recycled rubber and asphalt concrete, reported state news agency WAM.

The project is said to be the first-of- its-kind in the UAE. It is as part of the country’s efforts to promote innovation, achieve sustainability, encourage recycling, and create a national green road network.

Rubber asphalt includes regular concrete mixed with crumb rubber and used tyres, which is suitable for roads and pavements.

“A mixture of asphalt and recycled rubber will be tested to develop a mix that could meet national standards for road construction projects.”

A mixture of asphalt and recycled rubber will be tested to develop a mix that could meet national standards for road construction projects.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development assistant under-secretary of the infrastructure planning sector engineer Aisha Al Midfa said that the project highlighted the ministry’s eagerness to sustainability, and was part of its efforts to build a green road network in the UAE.

Aisha Al Midfa further said that the ministry’s cooperation with the private sector, particularly Michelin, in constructing environmentally friendly and sustainable roads to reduce noise pollution and maintenance requirements.

It will also reduce waste production and carbon emissions through using recycled materials instead of traditional bitumen-based asphalt, she added.

Michelin Middle East regional director Naser Shashaa stated that the company is committed in achieving sustainability and preserving the environment under its reduce, reuse, recycle and renewable (4R) strategy.