Crumb Rubber

Crumb rubber is a finely ground material produced from end-of-life tyres, typically less than 1mm in size. This high-quality tyre-derived material (TDM) retains the resilience, elasticity and durability of the original rubber, making it ideal for a wide range of advanced industrial and infrastructure applications.

What is it used for?

Crumb rubber is widely adopted in:

• Road surfacing – blended into crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) to improve pavement performance
• Elastomer and polymer manufacturing – enhancing strength, flexibility and resilience
• Adhesives and coatings – contributing weather resistance, grip, and longevity
• Acoustic and vibration damping – used in sealants, building products and automotive components

Crumb Rubber in Roads

One of the most impactful uses of crumb rubber is in bituminous road surfacing. When added to asphalt, it enhances flexibility, reduces cracking, and improves the road’s lifespan under heavy traffic loads and extreme temperatures.

Recent trials supported by Tyre Stewardship Australia have demonstrated clear performance and sustainability benefits:

• In a multi-council trial in South Sydney, crumb rubber-modified binders were used across residential roads, producing results that matched or exceeded traditional binders in 80% of test sites, according to independent life-cycle assessment and field performance data.
• Crumb rubber roads have also been shown to reduce road noise, support circular procurement objectives, and provide cost-effective long-term maintenance benefits.

These outcomes provide confidence for road authorities, councils and contractors seeking low-risk ways to adopt more sustainable materials in infrastructure.

By specifying crumb rubber in road construction or product development, industry can actively support the circular economy while improving end-product quality.