Motherwell Road Becomes First in UK to Trial Plastic-Enhanced Asphalt

A road in Motherwell has become the first in the UK to trial an innovative technology that partially replaces bitumen in asphalt with recycled plastic, marking a significant step toward more sustainable road construction.

The pilot is part of Live Labs 2, a three-year, £30 million national programme funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and led by ADEPT. The initiative aims to decarbonise local highway networks by reducing emissions from resurfacing projects while maintaining long-term road durability.

For this trial, around half a tonne of EcoFlakes, a product developed by German company Ecopals, was added to a standard hot-rolled asphalt mix to resurface Chapelknowe Road. The installation, completed earlier this month, is being closely monitored to assess both performance and environmental impact.

EcoFlakes replace conventional oil-based polymers with recycled plastics, which can cut carbon emissions by up to 20%. Unlike earlier plastic additives that were simply mixed into asphalt, EcoFlakes are fully integrated into the bitumen at the asphalt plant, modifying its properties to slow road ageing and improve resilience.

The project is led by the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads (CEDR), a partnership between North Lanarkshire Council and Amey, funded through the Live Labs 2 programme. CEDR explores alternative materials to replace carbon-intensive components in roads, from surfacing and markings to the vehicles and machinery used for maintenance.

Earlier in October, North Lanarkshire also trialled biochar, a carbon-capturing material produced by heating grass cuttings through pyrolysis. The resurfacing at Crofthead Crescent in Bellshill used 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:

“North Lanarkshire Council is proud to lead the way in this important work. As the only council in Scotland involved in Live Labs 2, we are setting an example for others.By trialling cutting-edge materials like EcoFlakes and biochar, we are proving that sustainable infrastructure is both practical and achievable.”

The October trials followed a “supersite” project completed in August along Hirst Road, Shotts, where innovative surfacing materials were compared against traditional options over a two-kilometre stretch.

A five-year monitoring programme is now in place to track 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 structured around four interconnected themes focused on road decarbonisation and is led by local authorities collaborating with academic and industry partners. North Lanarkshire Council and Amey manage the northern campus of CEDR, while Transport for West Midlands, supported by Colas, leads the southern campus — together creating a national framework for sustainable road technology innovation and knowledge-sharing.