UK first as Tufflayer SAMI asphalt gains BBA HAPAS approval

• Heidelberg Materials UK is the first asphalt supplier to gain BBA HAPAS approval for a SAMI (stress absorbing membrane interlayer) solution.

• Tufflayer provides an alternative to geogrids and significantly delays the effects of reflective cracking.

• The announcement follows an intensive approval process by the BBA and provides reassurance to customers of its quality and performance.

Heidelberg Materials UK has become the first asphalt supplier to receive BBA HAPAS1 approval for a stress absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI) solution.

Its Tufflayer product, an alternative to geogrid asphalt, uses a specially designed polymer modified bitumen (PMB) supplied by Shell Bitumen to achieve optimum flexibility and enhance fatigue resistance. It significantly delays the effects of reflective cracking and protects the lower layers from water ingress, providing further resilience and extending the life of the road.

Adrian Hadley, Technical Head (Asphalt and Aggregates) at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “It’s fantastic to be the first asphalt manufacturer to achieve this milestone.

“It followed an intensive approval process by the BBA and provides our customers with reassurance of Tufflayer’s quality and performance.”

Tufflayer is ideal for concrete overlays or any site where reflective cracking caused by thermal expansion or heavy trafficking may be an issue.

It is easy to lay using conventional paving equipment and, as it avoids the use of geogrids, it reduces on-site equipment and personnel, improving workforce health and safety and reducing whole-life costs.