August 10, 2026 — Tobago’s road paving and infrastructure operations could soon see a transformative sustainable upgrade. State-owned quarry operator Studley Park Enterprise Limited (SPEL) has officially entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) to develop, test, and commercialize rubberized asphalt made from recycled end-of-life tyres.
The agreement, executed between CARIRI CEO Hans-Erich Schulz and SPEL Director Dr. Christian Virgil, establishes a collaborative framework for technical consultancy, technology transfer, and construction material innovation aimed at strengthening the circular economy in Tobago. From Waste Tyres to Durable Infrastructure
The signing follows successful pilot testing across the island, where CARIRI-supplied rubber crumb was mixed into asphalt blends and paved on select Tobago roadways to evaluate performance under local climatic and traffic conditions:
- Pavement Longevity & Performance: Rubber-modified asphalt improves elasticity, enhances resistance to heavy-load cracking and rutting, and significantly extends the lifespan of road surfaces compared to traditional bitumen mixes.
- Circular Waste Diversion: The initiative directly tackles the island’s waste tyre disposal challenge by redirecting discarded tyres from landfills into high-value aggregate and paving materials.
- Local Processing Facility: Under project-specific agreements, CARIRI will assist SPEL in designing, setting up, and managing a dedicated rubber crumb processing plant in Tobago, generating localized manufacturing capacity, technical skills, and economic opportunities.
- Broader Research Scope: Beyond road paving, the MOU provides a platform for future innovations, including the commercial utilization of quarry by-products and advanced eco-friendly building materials.
Reporter Jewel Greene-George has the full details on how this partnership will reshape road durability and green industry on the island.
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