The ACI Group has strengthened its commitment to sustainable infrastructure by securing exclusive UK distribution rights for EcoFlakes, an advanced polymer additive made from recycled plastics. By providing polymer-modified bitumen (PMB)-equivalent performance, it enhances road durability against rutting, cracking and ageing, while significantly lowering the carbon footprint of asphalt production.
Unlike traditional PMB materials derived from virgin polymers, EcoFlakes enable on-site asphalt modification, reducing dependency on imported PMB and cutting transport-related emissions.
Andy Bowers, Business Development Manager, Roads at ACI Group, said the partnership aligns with the UK’s Net Zero and circular economy ambitions: “EcoFlakes brings a validated, high-performance, and sustainable solution to the national road construction sector. By transforming recycled plastics into asphalt modifiers, we’re supporting infrastructure projects that are both sustainable and future-ready.”
Already established across Europe, this innovation offers highway engineers, contractors, and local authorities a practical route to reducing Scope 3 emissions and advancing Net Zero road construction.
Post-consumer recycled plastics
EcoFlakes are manufactured using post-consumer recycled plastics, collected and processed with advanced sorting technologies to maintain consistency and performance. When combined with other low-carbon materials from ACI’s portfolio, such as bio-binders and warm-mix asphalt, EcoFlakes can deliver up to a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions across road surfacing projects.
This approach positions ACI Group as a complete supply chain partner for sustainable highways, offering integrated materials and technical expertise to support the sector’s transition to low-carbon construction.
The technology has already demonstrated success on UK roads through a Live Labs 2-funded trial in North Lanarkshire, delivered by ACI Group in collaboration with Holcim and Hochtief. The project validated that a hot rolled asphalt mix containing EcoFlakes could achieve PMB-equivalent performance with comparable durability and workability, at a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
As the UK road construction sector continues to prioritise decarbonisation and resource efficiency, the arrival of EcoFlakes marks a significant milestone in adopting recycled plastic asphalt additives and advancing sustainable road surfacing solutions nationwide.
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