Texas Researchers Add Recycled Plastic to Asphalt to Withstand Heatwaves

Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are adding recycled plastic to asphalt, replacing 8–10% of bitumen to help pavement better withstand heat. About 4.5 tonnes of plastic were used on a one-mile road in Rockwall; a similar section in Dhaka withstood extreme heat in 2024.

• Plastic replaces 8–10% of bitumen in the asphalt mix
• 4.5 tonnes of plastic used on the Rockwall test section
• Dhaka road withstood 2024 heat without damage
• 43,700 km of roads laid with this technology in India