Downer Group has announced it will build a new $10 million asphalt manufacturing facility in northern Tasmania.
The facility will be used to produce Reconophalt, a road surfacing product that incorporates otherwise landfill-bound materials such as soft plastics, ground glass, road millings, reclaimed asphalt, and ink toner.
Marcus Stephens, Downer’s General Manager – Tasmania, said the new facility would replace an existing asphalt plant that is approaching the end of its service life.
“Our two asphalt manufacturing facilities in Tasmania currently produce thousands of tonnes each year,” he said.
“Once the new plant is commissioned, we will triple our hourly production rate, enabling Downer to service customers more efficiently.
“As well as producing a robust road surfacing product, we are helping communities turn their waste products into value-added material and avoiding use of virgin materials.”
Downer has laid 10,397 tonnes of Reconophalt in Tasmania since 2018. By the company’s estimates, this has helped divert from landfill more than 6.4 million plastic bag equivalents, toner from 189,000 toner cartridges, 2.6 million glass bottles, and 960 tonnes of recycled asphalt paving material.
Michael Ferguson, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, welcomed the announcement.
“This is a fantastic show of confidence in our great state and a firm commitment from an ASX Top 100 company to a long-term future in Tasmania,” he said.
“This major investment will complement our record $2.7 billion injection to build roads and bridges across the state.”
Ferguson said the state has also been using crumb rubber from recycled tyres in road resurfacing projects across Tasmania’s highways, as part of the State Government’s commitment to reduce waste.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government will continue to work with industry to look for further opportunities to utilise sustainable products on Tasmanian roads,” he said.
Downer’s new plant is expected to be commissioned in early 2023.
For more information on Reconophalt, visit: www.downergroup.com
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