Full performance on the tarmac: AOKTO rubber powder - Thomas Gebhart MdB at KURZ Karkassenhandel

Wendlingen/Landau, 15 May 2023

On 5 May 2023, Dr Thomas Gebhart MdB visited the certified waste management company KURZ Karkassenhandel in Landau and took an in-depth look at the benefits of rubber asphalt made from recycled used tyres for use in road construction.

Sustainable used tyre disposal is an important building block towards a functioning circular economy. KURZ Karkassenhandel has been committed to this issue for many years and, as a certified waste management company, works 100 per cent in accordance with the guidelines of the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act. Dr Thomas Gebhart (CDU/CSU), Member of the Bundestag for the Southern Palatinate in Berlin and Chairman of the Committee on Climate Protection and Energy, visited KURZ in Landau on 5 May 2023 to mark the company's 68th anniversary and discussed sustainable used tyre disposal in the spirit of the circular economy with KURZ Managing Director Hanna Schöberl.

The visit, which lasted over an hour, focussed on KURZ's AOKTO rubber powder, which is ideal for modifying asphalt. At the Landau site, KURZ processes high-quality rubber products into a profitable product for asphalt. The AOKTO rubber powder is added to the asphalt mix in a dry process. Rubber-modified asphalt has a very long shelf life and is environmentally friendly: CO2 emissions can be reduced thanks to low temperatures during paving, savings on primary raw materials (urban mining) and transport, and easy storage in big bags. Rubberised asphalt also has benefits for road safety: the surface reduces road spray and thus contributes to better visibility on wet roads. The longer durability ensures less rutting and blow-ups. Aquaplaning is also reduced.

Cities, municipalities and the country can benefit from rubber-modified asphalt in many ways: The longer durability leads to cost savings, fewer roadworks and less congestion. This makes citizens happy and saves taxpayers' money. In addition, the use of recycled materials contributes to environmental protection and thus enhances the image of the municipality. For road builders, AOKTO is an easy-to-process material - without sticking, clumping or unpleasant odours. A special wax coats the rubber particles and protects them from high temperatures during paving, so that the rubber powder can develop its full performance in the asphalt.

Hanna Schöberl explains the numerous advantages of AOKTO gum flour.

"With its temperature resistance, AOKTO is a winner for asphalt. Our 'test tracks' with rubberised asphalt, some of which have been laid for over 13 years, have the values of newly laid asphalt"says Hanna Schöberl.

Thomas Gebhart MdB showed great interest in the extensive benefits of tyre recycling and intends to campaign for the use of rubber-modified asphalt in the future.