The road to net zero

The new road resurfacing material which enables the production of net zero asphalt has been used in the UK, for the first time, in County Durham. 

Working with the council's road surfacing and planing partner Rainton Construction, part of MGL Group, the works are the first time that the asphalt has been incorporated ACLA®, designed and manufactured by County Durham based climate tech company Low Carbon Materials (LCM).

Elvet Hill Road resurfacing video transcript (PDF, 66 KB)

How ACLA lowers the carbon footprint of asphalt

The product utilises the carbon removal technology of sequestration to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Sequestration is a process whereby a material captures and stores carbon dioxide, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the resurfacing works.

Being used in the binder course of resurfacing, ACLA will be used alongside other carbon-saving materials such as recycled plastics, rubber, and Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP), all sourced within the county. Low carbon additives will also be used to enhance the fuel efficiency of the haulage fleet.

This new material will play a key role in carbon reduction and, when used in conjunction with other sustainable materials, allows the whole project to be significantly lower in emissions than standard resurfacing works.