WHY NOW?

The case for focusing on asphalt and materials has never been stronger:

• The market is moving. There is £24 billion of government investment in national and local roads, creating sustained demand across the asphalt and materials supply chain.
   
• Within that investment, £7.3 billion is allocated to local councils for highway maintenance between 2026 and 2030, putting resurfacing, repair and materials performance firmly in the spotlight. 
   
• This is a big, stable market. The UK asphalt industry produces over 20 million tonnes of asphalt per year (from nearly 300 plants), and asphalt is used on over 95% of UK roads. Add to that the chemicals, binders, sealants, aggregates and treatments that sit behind every surface – and materials decisions at this scale have a real impact on carbon, cost and network performance.
   
• Decarbonisation is now driving materials choices. Policy requires construction and maintenance to reach net zero by 2040, creating a fast-growing market for lower-carbon solutions like warm mix asphalt, higher recycled materials and alternative binders. This is where carbon savings become real – on live schemes, not just in strategies.
   
• The funding model supports long-term change. Highways investment runs in fixed five-year Road Investment Periods, giving the supply chain confidence to invest in new plant, new processes and lower-carbon materials. On the local side, incentive-based funding rewards councils that adopt proactive asset management – encouraging longer-term relationships with suppliers and better, more durable materials choices