Alex Fraser’s supply of sustainable alternative materials for Queensland’s construction industry is paving the way for greener roads. The company’s continued innovation has resulted in it claiming a state first certificate.
Alex Fraser’s sustainable material production capabilities have expanded significantly over its 25 years in Queensland. For General Manager Sean McCormick, the growth of the sustainability market in the Sunshine State is a testament to the company’s consistent quality.
“The best way to improve resource recovery is to develop strong markets – a critical part of that is having certified suppliers, and clear specifications for the use of recycled products,” Sean says.
In a first for Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has granted Alex Fraser’s Archerfield and Nudgee Recycling Facilities with a Quarry Registration Certificate, supporting increased use of recycled construction materials in major roads and infrastructure.
The TMR initiative is set to markedly improve the sustainability of Queensland’s road and rail projects, which are being rolled out across the state.
The registration will provide major contractors the ability to choose a certified supplier of recycled road base and aggregate, that delivers on sustainability and quality in compliance with TMR specifications.
Sean says the Quarry Registration Certificate is strictly controlled to ensure consistent quality.
“To maintain certification, our products are tested regularly to ensure they are consistent and conform to the same standards as virgin material. This gives our customers peace of mind, knowing that they’ll never have to compromise on quality to achieve sustainability,” he says.
“We have been manufacturing high-spec, recycled construction materials for use in major infrastructure for decades; many of our customers consider our green roads products to be equal to, if not better performing than their quarried counterparts.”
With major projects such as the Bruce Highway, Gateway Upgrade North project and Clem Jones Tunnel all featuring Alex Fraser’s recycled products, this certification is set to support sustainable material supply into similar projects across the state.
To achieve Quarry Registration status, Alex Fraser Recycling underwent a range of assessments, including evaluation of its product’s quality, compliance, as well as strength and durability for nominated quarry products.
In July 2020, TMR discontinued the MRTS35 technical standard, specific to recycled unbound materials – the technical standard that outlined the specifications for using recycled materials in road building.
TMR then updated the MRTS05 technical standard, specifying recycled materials alongside virgin quarried products; making it easier for Queensland civil contractors to make sustainable choices.
Sean says improvement to the clarity of specification, such as the updated technical standard, are a meaningful step towards achieving infrastructure sustainability in Brisbane’s major projects.
“There’s been a lot of talk around increasing the use of recycled products. TMR has taken real action by awarding this Quarry Registration Certificate to Alex Fraser Recycling,” Sean says.
“This TMR certification assures the construction industry that our recycled products are manufactured and tested in a way comparable to quarry products. It’s a clear sign to local governments that certified suppliers of recycled materials can supply their works too.
“It’s an exciting time to be in recycling and construction in Queensland,” he says.
Alex Fraser’s Recycling Facilities in Archerfield and Nudgee have the annual capacity to divert more than one million tonnes of South East Queensland’s construction and demolition waste, recycling it for reuse in sustainable infrastructure projects, that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 65 per cent.
“Alex Fraser’s Quarry Registration Status means the industry now has a go-to certified supplier for sustainable materials across a wide range of applications,” Sean says.
For more information, visit: www.alexfraser.com.au
