Tarmac has officially opened a new ‘sustainable asphalt plant’ in Norwich.
The plant in Trowse will supply the company’s latest low carbon surfacing materials and a wide range of Tarmac Ultimate asphalt products and solutions.
The materials giant said designs for the new plant featured different innovative, industry-leading sustainable elements including underfloor heating in covered storage bays to reduce aggregate moisture content and fuel use, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 14% each year.
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.
In addition, aggregates will be supplied to the plant by rail to decrease the number of trucks on roads and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transportation.
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.'
The plant will supply a wide range of Tarmac asphalt to Norfolk and Suffolk, including UltiLayer and UltiPorous.
UltiLayer is a range of long-lasting, crack resistant polymer modified binder 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.
A new, ‘fast and efficient’ Asphalt2Go collection service will be available.
