PLASTIC ROAD TECHNOLOGY
Gadkari calls for global code of conduct for infrastructure sector
Nitin Gadkari highlighted the significance of infrastructure development in transforming India into a leading economy. He advocated for the use of alternative materials, including municipal waste, in construction to enhance sustainability. Gadkari urged the formulation of an international code of conduct to integrate new ideas and technologies in the sector. He suggested creating a 'Bank of Ideas' website for global research collaboration.
ET Business Excellence & Leadership Summit 2026: Celebrating visionaries redefining growth & leadership
The ET Business Excellence & Leadership Summit 2026 brought together leaders to discuss brand development, innovation, and sustainability. Panel discussions featured prominent voices discussing resilience and leadership in uncertain times. A felicitation ceremony honored individuals and organizations for their contributions across various sectors. Key insights emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic thinking in driving future success
In 2010, Cannock used anaerobic digestion to process 120,000 tonnes of food waste; the result generated renewable electricity and exported surplus power to the grid
In 2010, a major change was taking shape at the Poplars waste site near Cannock, Staffordshire. Plans were being developed for a large anaerobic digestion facility that could process up to 120,000 tonnes of food waste each year. The plant was not yet operating at that scale in 2010; it opened in 2011. But the project marked an important shift in how food waste could be handled.
In 2019, South Africa put 700 kg of waste plastic into a 300-metre road; Jeffreys Bay turned discarded packaging into its asphalt surface
In 2019, South Africa put 700 kg of waste plastic into a 300-metre road; Jeffreys Bay turned discarded packaging into its asphalt surface. The pilot project used recycled plastic in asphalt to address plastic waste and road maintenance. The road was built in Woltemade Street, Jeffreys Bay, and used plastic pellets to replace part of the bitumen binder. The project also explored durability and maintenance benefits.
In 2018, Tasmania built a road using 530,000 plastic bags, 168,000 glass bottles and 12,500 printer cartridges; engineers expected it to last 15% longer
What if the road beneath your feet was made partly from the rubbish you threw away? In Tasmania, that idea became real in 2018. Engineers built an experimental stretch of road using about 530,000 plastic bags, 168,000 glass bottles and 12,500 discarded printer cartridges. The materials were processed and added to the asphalt, turning household and industrial waste into part of the road itself. It was an unusual way to tackle two problems at once: waste and the demand for new road materials.
These mid-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%, according to analysts
As an investor, what you need to do at this point of time is this: A bit of extra work in terms of stock-picking so that you avoid anxiety during future corrective phases in the market. And there should not be any doubt that, given the current geopolitical conditions, there will be many more corrective phases.
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In 2018, the Netherlands turned 1,000 kg of household plastic into a 30-metre cycle path; the road contained the equivalent of 218,000 plastic cups
A Dutch cycle path turned plastic waste into something useful. In 2018, Zwolle opened a 30-metre path made with about 1,000 kilograms of recycled household plastic. That amount was equivalent to roughly 218,000 plastic cups. The experiment showed that discarded plastic could become part of everyday infrastructure, not simply waste. The path also included space for water storage and sensors to study how the material performed.
In 2018, Melbourne put 200,000 plastic bags, 63,000 glass bottles and 4,500 used printer cartridges into a road; 250 tonnes of recycled asphalt showed 60% better fatigue resistance
In 2018, Melbourne tested a road with an unusual ingredient list: 200,000 plastic bags, 63,000 glass bottles and 4,500 used printer cartridges. About 250 tonnes of recycled asphalt went into the project. The result was more than a clever way to reuse waste. The recycled mix showed 60% better fatigue resistance, suggesting discarded materials could help build tougher roads.
In 2020, California repaved a highway using recycled materials, including 150,000 plastic bottles per mile; it could last 2-3 times longer than conventional asphalt
California transportation officials tested recycled pavement using plastic bottle binder. This pilot project on Highway 162 consumed approximately 150,000 plastic bottles per mile. The technology developed by TechniSoil Industrial processes old pavement with a liquid plastic polymer. This innovative method potentially reduces landfill waste and transportation pollution significantly. Officials are studying the road's durability and environmental benefits for future applications.
In 2020, Australia built more than 90% of a road project from recycled waste; five million bottles went into a job that cost no more than a standard build
In 2020, Australia built more than 90% of a road project from recycled waste; five million bottles were used in a Central Coast Council project in Wyongah. The road included recycled materials in its base, surface, kerb, guttering, footpaths and drainage. The project used waste concrete, road gravel, glass, plastic and other materials while keeping costs and construction time in line with a standard road project.
EV-related stocks: Own the chain, not the guess; 13 stocks with upside potential of up to 28% and downside risk of -14%, according to analysts
In the stock market, when a big theme or sectoral trend takes off, most investors focus on the face of it. A brand with which they can relate. The same is happening in the auto sector, which is transitioning to the EV age. However, behind every EV is a long, hidden chain of businesses. Chasing an obvious name means betting on just one stock. There is a better way. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.
6,000 milk bottle road in China: How plastic waste found a strange second life in Shanghai
More than 6,000 used milk bottles in Shanghai were given an unusual second life when they were processed into recycled plastic and incorporated into polymer-modified asphalt. The 2021 project by Dow and dairy brand Shiny Meadow aimed to address the challenge of plastic bottles that are technically recyclable but often rejected by recyclers because of milk residue. The initiative was also presented as a potential way to reduce plastic waste, bitumen use and emissions while exploring new applications for recycled materials.
In 2022, Wales mixed fibres from 4.3 tonnes of used nappies into a highway; the waste replaced asphalt material imported from Europe
Wales recently resurfaced part of the A487 highway using fibers from 4.3 tonnes of recycled diapers. Sanitized diaper waste was processed into durable pellets, replacing synthetic asphalt materials imported from Europe. Blending these fibers into bitumen created a flexible road surface that resists cracking and handles heavy traffic wear. The clever initiative diverted over 100,000 nappies from landfills while cutting transport emissions.
These mid-cap stocks with ‘Strong Buy’ & ‘Buy’ recos may rally over 21%, according to analysts
With the US market shedding weight overnight, the probability is high that Thursday will see another day of choppy trading. The best way to deal with such volatile conditions is to sit it out and let clarity emerge. Alternatively, turn into a real long-term investor.
In 2021, Victoria used 2,100 tons of recycled road base to rebuild the Hume Freeway. 5 years later, its 850-metre stretch had turned waste into a longer-lasting road too
Plastic bags and glass bottles usually end up in the trash. In Australia, some became part of a highway instead. Engineers rebuilt an 850-meter section of the Hume Freeway using more than 2,100 tons of recycled material. The mix included plastic bags, glass bottles, printer cartridges and reclaimed asphalt. The trial tested whether waste could help create stronger roads.
In 2021, Missouri added just 1% waste plastic to a two-mile road, that tiny share consumed 10 tons, equal to 750,000 soda bottles
In 2021, Missouri transportation officials discussed a road project that tested recycled plastic in asphalt pavement. Engineers from the University of Missouri, Dow and MoDOT worked together to determine how single-use, polyethylene-based plastic waste could be incorporated into pavement mixtures. The real-world test took place on a two-mile section of Stadium Boulevard, or State Route 740, in Columbia, between College Avenue and U.S. Highway 63. Recycled plastic made up one percent of the mixture, but the project was expected to use 10 tons of recycled material, equivalent to about 750,000 soda bottles.
In 2021, Shanghai used 6,000 milk bottles to fight plastic waste; the result became China's 1st plastic road, turning hard-to-recycle bottles into useful paving material
Shanghai’s “Milk Bottle Road” demonstrates how difficult-to-recycle plastic can be redirected toward useful infrastructure. Developed through a partnership between Dow and Shiny Meadow, the project used more than 6,000 used milk bottles and other plastic waste in a polymer-modified asphalt road at East China University of Science and Technology’s Xuhui Campus. Enabled by Dow’s ELVALOY™ RET asphalt modification technology, the project gave contaminated milk bottles another purpose while supporting a more circular approach to plastic use.
In 2019, Victoria's Wyndham City turned 199,000 recycled bottles into a 200-metre footpath. 1 year later, the project had reached 339 metres and delivered 1,700kg in carbon savings
Victoria’s Wyndham City turned 199,000 recycled bottles into a 200-metre footpath in 2019. The project showed how plastic waste could be given a practical second life through sustainable infrastructure. Within a year, the recycled footpath had grown to 339 metres. It also delivered 1,700 kilograms in carbon savings. The initiative offered a simple example of how recycling can support greener public spaces while reducing waste and emissions.
In 2024, Michigan Tech mixed 6% treated waste glass into asphalt; dynamic stability rose 42.3%, and anti-skid performance improved 38.6% over standard mixes
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have discovered an innovative way to utilize waste glass in paving roads. Their findings reveal that surface-treated glass enhances the stability and anti-skid features of asphalt, showing promise in lab tests. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we incorporate recycled materials, following similar experiments in US cities over the years, potentially paving the way for improved road construction methods in the future.
These mid-cap stocks with ‘Strong Buy’ & ‘Buy’ recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts
In the equity market, it is generally good to keep one eye on risk management. But there are times when it becomes a must-do. We are currently in that phase of the market. And a simple way to manage risk is to stagger your buying. Do not put all your money in at once. When volatility is high and more corrections are likely, it is always good to be less aggressive on the street.
In 2022, Hawaii used 195,000 plastic bottles to rebuild a road. Engineers found an alternative use for recycling plastic waste, but there's a catch
Hawaii's officials have embarked on an innovative experiment to blend recycled plastic into road asphalt, effectively repurposing nearly 200,000 plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills. This pilot project focuses on assessing the pavement's functionality and the long-term impacts of microplastic dispersion. A parallel control section was created for reference, highlighting efforts to convert waste materials into valuable infrastructure for the country's transportation networks.
Auto ancillary sector: Time for another re-rating? 5 stocks from the auto ancillary space with upside potential of up to 30%
Auto ancillaries are in a very different situation from three years ago. At that time, it was all about who will be able to make the transition to the EV era. Today we can see which ones have done so. The uncertainty that hung over the whole sector, the question of who would survive the shift to electric, has largely been answered. The question has now shifted to another aspect: Which ones will be able to diversify?
A road in Surrey could soon send its summer heat 100 metres beneath the surface, store it underground and bring it back during winter, turning geothermal energy into a defense against potholes
What if roads could store summer heat and use it to prevent winter damage? A University of Surrey trial is exploring exactly that. Its geothermal road technology uses pipes beneath asphalt to collect heat, store it underground and return it during cold weather. By reducing pavement overheating, ice formation and freeze-thaw cycles, the system could lower pothole damage, improve road safety and cut costly highway repairs.
ET Prime Special Series: Multibagger or IBC - Part 70: Almost nobody tracks this company. That may be why its turnaround was missed
Very few investors track this old auto supplier, and that may be exactly why its turnaround went unnoticed. This is a business that spent years on the edge. Auditors flagged survival risk from FY18 onwards. Net worth stayed negative. The company leaned on its parent for financial support. Then, in FY26, it posted its strongest year with record sales and positive net worth. Is this a supplier finally standing on its own, or one still holding its parent's hand?
YouTube’s creator middle class is pulling up a seat at the investment table
Investment firms are recognizing YouTubers as a growing, underserved market. These firms offer capital and tools to help creators scale their businesses. The creator economy is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. While some caution exists, this marks a tipping point for online content creators. External capital is making a difference for creators needing business support.
Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 23%
Sentiment is a fickle thing and can change before you know it. And by the time you figure out why, the market would have moved on. So, while there is no doubt that the uncertainty quotient will remain high, it is probably time to look beyond – at a few things that are not obvious. Our selected stocks for today depict a strong upward trajectory in their overall average score which is based on five key pillars: Earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum. This implies that there has been a significant improvement in their market outlook in the given time frame.
These large and mid-cap stocks can give more than 20% return in 1 year, according to analysts
Whenever there is a correction or volatility, just ask one question: Is it an opportunity, or should one be wary? We are raising this issue at this juncture because, after a phase of volatility, there is some indication that fund flows are getting better. So, as an investor, make sure you don’t miss the big picture, which means you should reduce the element of fear in decision-making. But, at the same time, don’t be complacent. More mistakes are made in that frame of mind.
RIL aims to launch waste plastic product for road construction
RIL is in talks with state governments and local bodies across the country for offering the technology.
Surat may get plastic road
Ever imagined zooming on a plastic road? Could be a reality soon, if Surat’s civic body has its way. Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is seriously considering the proposal submitted by Hindustan Prefab (HPL), a government enterprise, for laying a road using plastic waste.
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