Rubberised Roads To Increase Domestic Demand Of Rubber By 10% Annually

The Public Works Department (JKR) and the Malaysian Rubber Board is looking to use frozen rubber “cup lumps” as an additional material in asphalt for road construction in Malaysia. This comes following a Memorandum of Agreement to undertake the joint research which was signed yesterday.

Malaysia is expected to produce about 700,000 metric tonnes of rubber annually with about 10% of that amount being targeted for use in the construction of roads.

Rubberised asphalt is more durable than regular tarmac and boasts the ability to reduce road noise as well making it very beneficial. However, the move will also encourage domestic usage in an effort to stabilise rubber prices.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said although the research might take time, with a projected deadline of year 2018, he hoped that implementation will occur sooner – as early as next year.

Uggah said there was a possibility of increasing the usage of rubber in roads from 10% to 15 or 20% of supply if the project was successful.

Sources: The Malay Mail Online, The Borneo Post, Bernama