The Guaratuba Bridge in the Brazilian state of Paraná is scheduled to open on 29 April, drawing attention for its use of rubberised asphalt made from recycled end-of-life tyres
The paving works on the Guaratuba Bridge used a special asphalt mix containing rubber extracted from scrap tyres, supporting both environmental protection and circular economy goals.
According to Greca Asfaltos, the company responsible for the paving material, the rubberised asphalt contains 15% shredded tyre rubber. Around 23,000 used tyres were processed to produce 600 tonnes of asphalt used across more than three kilometres of roadway and approximately 70,000 square metres of paving.
Technical studies carried out during the project indicate that this type of asphalt can offer significant performance advantages over conventional road surfaces, including up to twice the resistance to cracking, a 50% longer service life and a 50% reduction in road noise.
The project also carries a strong social impact component. The recycled rubber was supplied by Strasse, a recycling company operating within the Agricultural Penal Colony of Piraquara, where inmates in semi-open prison regimes are employed in tyre recycling activities as part of rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
Joel Custodio, owner of Strasse and a member of the Brazilian Association of Scrap Tyre Recycling Companies (ABRAERPI), said the bridge represents an important example of sustainable development in Paraná. “The Guaratuba Bridge will be a major symbol of sustainable development in Paraná, proving the effectiveness of tyre reverse logistics in the state,” he said.
According to official figures from IBAMA, Brazil recycled 784,000 tonnes of tyres last year, representing nearly 95% of the country’s national target for the proper disposal of end-of-life tyres.
The new bridge is 1,240 metres long and includes four traffic lanes, two safety lanes in each direction, pedestrian walkways, cycle paths and protective barriers.
Source: dcmais.com.br
Image credit: Alexandr Voronsky, Unsplash
