Downer opens $5M sustainable manufacturing hub

Downer has officially opened its $5 million flexible pavement products manufacturing hub in Teralba, New South Wales, on 5 June 2019.

The new facility will see the introduction of more sustainable pavement solutions to the Hunter Region and Central Coast.

The facility is capable of producing a wide range of products including asphalt containing recycled tyre rubber and Reconophalt, an innovative asphalt product containing high recycled content from materials such as soft plastics, glass, toner and reclaimed road.

Downer’s Executive General Manager of Road Services, Dante Cremasco, said the milestone event, held on World Environment Day, demonstrates the importance of partnerships with councils and road authorities to maximise sustainable outcomes for the future growth of the region.

“Downer’s investment in this flexible pavement products manufacturing hub allows us to reduce our reliance on increasingly scarce virgin materials by over 30 per cent and improve our energy consumption by up to 15 per cent, which are really pleasing outcomes for the region,” Mr Cremasco said.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the council’s unanimous decision in 2018 to approve the upgrade of Downer’s Teralba facility demonstrates its commitment to embracing enterprises which share its sustainability goals.

“Reusing or recycling materials wherever possible is a growing imperative, and this new asphalt plant is a prime example of how it can be done,” Cr Fraser said.

The plant has best practice controls in place in order to reduce energy used in operations and reduced air emissions compared to the previous plant, as well as compliance with noise controls.

Downer has 16 full-time employees across its local asphalt operations.