A road in Motherwell has become the first in the UK to trial a pioneering technology that replaces part of the bitumen in asphalt with recycled plastic — marking a major step toward more sustainable road construction.
The pilot forms part of Live Labs 2, a three-year, £30 million nationwide programme funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and led by ADEPT, designed to help decarbonise local highway networks. The goal is to cut emissions from resurfacing while maintaining long-term road durability.
For this trial, around half a tonne of EcoFlakes—a product developed by German firm Ecopals—was added to a standard hot rolled asphalt mix and used to resurface Chapelknowe Road. The installation, completed earlier this month, is being closely monitored to evaluate both its performance and its environmental impact.
EcoFlakes substitute conventional oil-based polymers with recycled plastics, reducing carbon emissions by up to 20%. Unlike earlier plastic additives, which were physically blended into the asphalt, EcoFlakes are fully integrated into the bitumen at the asphalt plant, modifying its properties to slow road ageing and enhance resilience.
The project is part of the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads (CEDR) — a collaboration between North Lanarkshire Council and Amey, funded through the Live Labs 2 programme. CEDR is exploring alternative materials to replace traditional carbon-heavy components used in roads, from surface coatings and markings to the vehicles and machinery used in maintenance.
Earlier in October, another North Lanarkshire trial tested biochar — a carbon-capturing material made by heating grass cuttings through pyrolysis. The resurfacing work at Crofthead Crescent in Bellshill incorporated biochar supplied by Live Labs partners in West Sussex and South Gloucestershire, effectively turning road materials into carbon sinks.
Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“I’m proud that North Lanarkshire Council is leading the way on this important work. As the only council in Scotland to be involved with Live Labs 2 we really are blazing a trail for others to follow.
“This is a fantastic example of how local authorities can lead the way in tackling climate change. By trialling cutting edge new materials like EcoFlakes and biochar, we’re showing that sustainable infrastructure is not only possible but practical.”
The October trials followed a “supersite” project completed in August along Hirst Road, Shotts, where innovative surfacing materials were compared against conventional ones over a two-kilometre stretch.
A five-year monitoring programme is now in place to measure carbon savings, durability, and lifecycle costs. Across Live Labs 2, other innovations are being tested — including cement-free concrete, self-healing materials, anti-icing additives, sustainable road markings, and improved pothole repair solutions.
Live Labs 2 is led by local authorities working alongside academic and industry partners across four interconnected themes focused on road decarbonisation. North Lanarkshire Council and Amey lead the northern campus of CEDR, while Transport for West Midlands, with support from Colas, heads the southern campus — together forming a national framework for collaboration and knowledge-sharing in sustainable road technology.
