Tarmac launches new modern and sustainable asphalt plant

A new state-of-the-art, sustainable asphalt plant in Trowse, Norwich has been officially opened by Tarmac, to help support critical infrastructure across the region.

It will supply the latest in low carbon surfacing materials and a wide range of Tarmac Ultimate asphalt products and solutions.

Featured in the designs for the new plant were different innovative, industry-leading sustainable elements to improve operational efficiency and reduce associated carbon emissions. This includes underfloor heating in covered storage bays to reduce aggregate moisture content and fuel use, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 14 per cent each year.

Additionally, on-site wind turbines will provide carbon-neutral electricity for the facility, with other features including energy-saving LED lighting throughout the premises and four heated storage bins to optimise product efficiency.

Also, the supply of aggregates at the new Trowse Asphalt Plant will be provided by rail to significantly decrease the number of trucks on local roads, therefore significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transportation.

As well as its sustainability credentials, the plant will supply a wide range of high-quality Tarmac asphalt to Norwich and the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, including UltiLayer and UltiPorous. UltiLayer is a range of long-lasting, crack resistant polymer modified binder (PMB) asphalt for durability on busy roads and bus lanes. Whereas Tarmac’s UltiPorous asphalts are designed for fast draining, all weather surfacing for driveways, car parks, cycle lanes, footpaths, playgrounds and sports surfaces.

Furthermore, a new fast and efficient Asphalt2Go collection service will be available, providing customers with a quicker solution to receiving products, whilst reducing collection times and in turn, improving their productivity.

Chris Pears-Ryding, commercial director – South East at Tarmac, said: “The new Trowse Asphalt plant represents a key strategic advance in Tarmac’s regional supply network that will allow us to serve our customers with the highest quality asphalt more efficiently and sustainably. A great deal of time, thought and planning has gone into designing this plant with safety, sustainability, efficiency and quality at its core.”