Crumb Rubber Resource Centre for Councils and Industry

Crumb rubber is one type of TDM. TDM covers a range of engineered inputs from processed end-of-life tyres, including crumb rubber, granules, buffings and moulded products.

Yes. “CRMB” means Crumb Rubber Modified Binder. “RAP” refers to Recycled Asphalt Pavement. Terms like “permeable pavements” or “rubberised asphalt” describe specific TDM applications. You can view our glossary and acronyms page here.

Through TSA’s Source Recycled Products directory which connects councils directly with accredited Australian suppliers across all applications.

Alongside councils, state road agencies, airports, ports and private developers are adopting TDM. Globally, jurisdictions like California and Arizona have mandated crumb rubber in road projects for decades.

No. Councils are also using crumb rubber in playground soft-fall, sports tracks, kerbing, retaining walls, permeable pavements and other community infrastructure. Roads are just one high-profile application.

Crumb rubber modified binders are proven to resist rutting and cracking under high traffic loads, making them ideal for freight routes, regional highways and heavy-use pavements.

Australia generates around 570,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres each year. A large proportion is suitable for recovery into crumb rubber, granules and other TDM products, ensuring a reliable and local supply chain.

Yes. Crumb rubber projects support ESG reporting by demonstrating resource recovery, emissions reductions, and improved asset efficiency — all key circular economy outcomes.

Independent testing shows crumb rubber products are stable and safe in their intended applications. For example, leachate from rubberised pavements is well within environmental limits, and rubberised surfaces can reduce heat and stormwater impacts. View more research on this here.

Crumb rubber has been used in Australian roads since the 1970s, with wider adoption in recent decades. Internationally, the US and Europe have used rubberised asphalt for more than 40 years.

Specifications vary by state. TSA maintains a repository of state-by-state standards which can be accessed here.

Performance is backed by decades of Australian trials, independent lifecycle assessments, and international studies. TSA draws on data from the national Material Flow Analysis, local government pilots, and Austroads research. Access TSA's full research library here.

Research shows crumb rubber in roads does not increase microplastic generation compared to conventional asphalt. In many cases, it extends pavement life — reducing how often resurfacing is required. You can view research on TRWP here.