CEVO Asphalts: Tarmac’s Pioneering Step Toward Carbon-Free Roads

Tarmac has made a significant stride in sustainable infrastructure with the unveiling of CEVO Asphalts—an innovative engineered solution designed to support the UK’s first genuinely Net Zero road networks.

By integrating advanced binder science, circular economy principles, and energy-efficient production, this new product is set to redefine environmentally responsible road construction.

For the first time, local councils and contractors have access to a scientifically grounded, practical approach to building and maintaining roads with Net Zero carbon impact, without resorting to offsetting strategies.

Tackling Emissions from the Ground Up

The core aim of CEVO Asphalts is to minimize emissions generated by the materials themselves. This next-generation asphalt solution can cut carbon emissions by up to 45% compared to conventional hot mix asphalt. This is made possible through a trio of innovations:

• Plant-Based Binders: These renewable alternatives to petroleum-based bitumen not only lower embodied carbon but also have the potential to absorb and retain CO₂.

• Warm Mix Asphalt Production: By lowering production temperatures, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced during manufacturing and application.

• High Recycled Material Content: Incorporating more Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP) helps reduce the need for raw aggregates and virgin bitumen, conserving resources and decreasing landfill waste.

  
  

These advancements create a sustainable asphalt blend that matches the durability and performance of traditional options while offering a markedly smaller environmental footprint.

Proven Impact on Real Projects

CEVO Asphalts isn’t just a lab success—it’s been validated on actual infrastructure projects. When integrated with broader carbon-reduction initiatives, like using electric vehicles and machinery, CEVO has achieved up to 80% reductions in carbon output.

One standout example is the A64 resurfacing pilot in North Yorkshire, now regarded as the UK’s lowest-carbon road project. The trial demonstrated that combining innovative materials, reclaimed resources, and energy-efficient processes can produce real-world Net Zero results without sacrificing quality.

Enhancing Sustainability with PAVE Technology

Complementing CEVO is PAVE Technology Solutions, a digital and design-focused toolkit from Tarmac. This suite enhances road longevity and sustainability through smarter design and process automation.

Features such as smooth ride profiling, echelon paving, and automated systems help cut long-term maintenance demands. This not only lowers costs over the road’s lifecycle but also reduces carbon emissions over time—highlighting a shift from reactive to proactive infrastructure strategies.

Supporting Public Sector Net Zero Goals

With public bodies under growing pressure to reduce emissions while meeting strict budget constraints, CEVO Asphalts offers a timely and viable solution. Tarmac’s Business Performance Director, Denis O’Callaghan, emphasized:

“Road building and upkeep represent a large slice of the carbon footprint in construction. There’s now a pressing need for reliable, low-carbon options that don’t sacrifice quality or cost-effectiveness. CEVO is our answer to that challenge—offering a real pathway to Net Zero without relying on offsets.”

This message is resonating with local authorities, developers, and contractors who are actively seeking practical tools for sustainable infrastructure within existing procurement systems.

Empowering Smarter Choices with Digital Tools

Understanding and demonstrating carbon savings is as important as achieving them. That’s why Tarmac is launching a digital carbon calculator alongside CEVO Asphalts. This tool enables clients to quantify carbon reductions at the project level, promoting transparency and aiding compliance with internal and regulatory targets.

By leveraging data-driven insights, decision-makers can confidently track sustainability performance and justify investments in greener practices.

Building with Circular Principles

CEVO Asphalts isn’t just about lowering emissions—it also reflects a strong commitment to circular economy values. By increasing the use of recycled materials like RAP and replacing fossil-based binders with bio-based alternatives, CEVO keeps materials in use and reduces dependency on finite resources.

This closed-loop model supports a broader industry shift toward regenerative construction methods that aim to deliver net-positive environmental outcomes.

Supporting National and Global Sustainability Agendas

The UK’s Net Zero Strategy highlights the urgent need to decarbonise the built environment. With roads being among the most carbon-intensive assets, CEVO Asphalts directly supports national sustainability targets and contributes to frameworks like the Construction Leadership Council’s CO₂nstruct Zero initiative.

Moreover, the technology holds global potential. As countries around the world seek low-carbon infrastructure solutions, CEVO represents a scalable and export-ready model for sustainable roadbuilding—especially in regions such as Europe and the Middle East where green investment is accelerating.