Recycled Asphalt Market

Market Overview

The global recycled asphalt market size was valued at USD 8,001.9 million in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 13750.35 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Asphalt that has been recycled has been reprocessed and now contains both asphalt and aggregates along with the original asphalt. Milling and resizing the asphalt pavements are necessary steps in the recycling process for asphalt. The two steps in this process are crushing and removing the asphalt layer from the existing surface.

Milling the asphalt is the first step in the process, followed by pulverization and finally stabilization. The asphalt is ground to a fine powder so that it can be divided into smaller layers. Crushed asphalt is combined with tar, various binding agents and materials, and various waterproofing materials before the stabilization process is carried out. The market for recycled asphalt is primarily driven by the economic and environmental benefits of using recycled asphalt. When used, asphalt that has been recycled results in a decrease in demand for asphalt that is made from virgin materials.

The binders utilized in asphalt production are both pricey and associated with a high variable cost. It is estimated that using recycled asphalt will reduce costs by up to 35 percent. This is because recycled asphalt contains a high percentage of the binder. In addition, energy consumption and the rise in average global temperature have given rise to significant concerns regarding utilizing asphalt everywhere. Using recycled asphalt is environmentally sound when roads need to be repaved. This results in a decreased consumption of natural resources, which is ultimately beneficial to the environment. However, recycled material limits market growth because recycled material is prone to fatigue cracking, impartial blending, and rutting.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

• Positive Environmental Consequences

Various aggregates, binders, and fillers are combined to create asphalt. Stones that have been crushed, gravel, rocks, and sand are the components that makeup aggregates. The construction of roads and pavements requires the use of asphalts like these. Asphalt production requires a significant investment of water and energy due to the extensive nature of the process. To recycle and produce recycled asphalt, the asphalt already present on existing roads is chipped off, crushed, and ground into powder. It is done on the site itself, or the asphalt crushed from the surface is brought to the plant, which is then processed for recycling. The recycled asphalt consists of a binder and aggregates when used. As a result, less binder and aggregate are required to produce asphalt from recycled materials. This results in a reduction in the use of virgin materials, which further reduces the strain that is placed on the earth's natural resources.

In addition to this, the amount of water and energy that is consumed is decreased, which further lessens the strain that is placed on natural resources. In addition, asphalt that has been recycled is utilized in rehabilitating roads, which prevents the rehabilitated roads from being dumped in landfills. Therefore, the environmental benefits of using recycled asphalt are beneficial to the environment, which acts as a driving factor for the growth of the market for recycled asphalt.

• High Economic Benefits

The asphalt binder is the most expensive material that is used in the preparation of asphalt. In addition to using water and coal in manufacturing, waste contributes to the high variable cost. Utilizing recycled asphalt that contains asphalt binder results in a cost savings of about 35% compared to using virgin asphalt binder when recycled asphalt pavement makes up 50% of the total material. As a further consequence, this leads to significant financial savings for the government and those who pay taxes related to infrastructure activities. This results in a reduction in variable costs, which is one of the primary factors serving as a driver for the expansion of the recycled asphalt industry.

Market Restraining Factors

• Restrictions Placed on the use of Recycled Asphalt

Asphalt that has been recycled is used in various products, including asphalt pavements and shingles. Inhomogeneity in the recycled asphalt pavement mixtures can lead to performance that is not up to par with what was anticipated. When the preparation is not done correctly, recycled asphalt does not blend because there are aggregates of varying sizes, and these aggregates are crushed too finely or not finely enough. This results in a mix of asphalt that is not uniform, which makes it more susceptible to rutting, fatigue cracks, and scraping. These kinds of factors have the effect of acting as a market restraint, which prevents the market for recycled asphalt from expanding.

Key Market Opportunities

• Development of Various Solutions and Technologies

Asphalt that has been recycled has been available for purchase for a considerable time in the market. Technologies for producing recycled asphalt were not fully developed because of this, among other things. Nevertheless, there is a growing awareness regarding the economic and environmental benefits of the product, which has led to a widespread acceptance of the product from various regions, particularly among governments. This can be attributed to decreased costs associated with the development of infrastructure, which also helps to reduce the burden placed on taxpayers. In addition, lucrative opportunities are anticipated to emerge due to increasing investments in developing technologies utilizing recycled asphalt, particularly given the widespread availability of individualized solutions within the industry.

Regional Analysis

The global recycled asphalt market has been segmented into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the highest revenue contributor growing at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. Because of the region's early advancements in the market, North America held a dominant position in the market. Several large corporations actively involved in recycling activities for asphalt is another factor that significantly contributes to the region's expansion in the market for recycled asphalt.

Asia-Pacific is the second-largest contributor to the market and is estimated to reach around USD 3,581.94 million at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The economies that make up the Asia-Pacific region can be broken down into three categories: developed, developing, and underdeveloped. The presence of two significant developing economies in the region, namely China and India, is a major driving force behind the growth of the recycled asphalt market. This is because the emerging economies are increasing, which can be attributed to the previous sentence. Continual investments are being made by the economies in the development and reconstruction of various types of infrastructure. In addition, it is anticipated that the region will grow at the highest CAGR during the period covered by the forecast. Because of its cost benefits, the use of recycled asphalt has increased in the region. This is a significant advantage for developing nations because it lightens the load on taxpayers and enables governments to reinvest the money saved in other aspects of economic growth.

Europe is the third-largest contributor to the market. The region is home to numerous highly developed economies, each of which also features highly developed infrastructure. In addition, the amount of money the government invests in activities related to infrastructure development is substantial. Investments drive the growth of the global recycled asphalt market in the region because of the economic and environmental benefits of using recycled asphalt.

Segmental Analysis

The global market for recycled asphalt has been divided into submarkets based on Type and Application.

By Type

Based on the Type, the global Recycled Asphalt market has been categorized into Hot and Cold recycling.

The Hot recycling segment was the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. There are two distinct methods for carrying out hot recycling: recycled hot mix and hot in-place recycling. The technique of heater scarification repaving and remixing is used in hot in-place recycling. In this process, the surface is first heated, then sacrificed using teeth that do not rotate. After this step, the binder viscosity is improved by adding additives that give it a new lease on life. During repaving, the top layer is entirely removed. Remixing is adding aggregate to a road to improve its strength and stability. Because the hot recycling method is straightforward and can be completed on-site, it reduces logistics costs, acting as a market driver.          

The second-largest segment is the cold recycling segment is expected to reach around USD 5,060.07 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. The processes are known as cold plant mix and cold in-place recycling, both examples of cold recycling. The pavement structure is pulverized during the cold, in-place recycling process, and a binding agent is also added. The mixture used for cold recycling is frequently used as a stabilized base for the reconstructed pavement. One type of cold in-place recycling is called "full-depth reclamation." This type of recycling involves pulverizing and recycling the entire pavement structure. The process of transporting the reclaimed aggregate to a nearby plant or facility, where it is processed, and then transporting it back to the site is another component of the cold recycling process. The market will be driven forward by these factors.

By Application

Based on the Application type, the global recycled asphalt market has been categorized into patch material, hot-mix asphalt, temporary driveways and roads, road aggregate for unpaved roadways, interlocking bricks, new asphalt shingles, and energy recovery.

The patch material segment was the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period. Patch materials repair surfaces, including roads, bridges, parking lots, driveways, pavements, sidewalks, and potholes. These are not only economical but also effective in all kinds of weather, lessen the likelihood of potholes and other forms of road damage, do away with the need for costly repairs, and do not require a primer. Patch material offers the same cost-effectiveness as preventive maintenance, so the two go hand in hand. This serves as a primary motivating factor for the expansion of the market.

The road aggregate for unpaved roadways is the second-largest segment and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. New road stabilization, dust control techniques, and the latest machinery are available to maintain and repair gravel roads. One of the novel's approaches to the stabilization of unpaved roads is the utilization of recycled asphalt. For the same purpose, it is utilized as road aggregate. This serves as a primary motivating factor for the expansion of the market.

Recent Developments

• In May 2022, At the World of Asphalt 2022, Vögele presents an attractive cross-section of its current product program: From the smallest street paver, the SUPER 700i, through the SUPER 1800-3i SprayJet spray paver to the 10 ft SUPER 2000-3i paver, all machines are designed for productivity, efficiencies, and precision.