Plastic Asphalt in Indonesia, Here Are the Benefits

Recently, there have been many plastic waste processing efforts you can do, ranging from the simplest methods such as creating piggy banks from plastic bottles to more advanced techniques such as producing plastic asphalt.

Regarding plastic asphalt, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing encourages plastic asphalt solutions in Indonesia to preserve the environment as well as create an innovative asphalt mixture for sustainable use.

This article discusses the utilization of plastic asphalt in Indonesia. So, read the information until the end!

An Overview of Plastic Asphalt

Plastic asphalt is a mix of asphalt containing shredded plastic, making it resistant to deformation. Shredded plastics in the asphalt also improve the asphalt's strength making it crack-resistance.

Besides, it also preserves the environment. This is important because according to the data in Sistem Informasi Pengelolaan Sampah Nasional, there are more than 10 million tons of waste, or 38.93% of the total waste that is unprocessed.

Thus, utilizing plastic asphalt can be one method of waste management that can be done, preventing waste from piling up. Typically, the plastics used are HDPE (plastic bag) and PET (plastic bottle).

To be an asphalt mixture, plastics will be shredded into small pieces and mixed with hot asphalt, resulting in a more durable and stronger asphalt mix.

Despite being an innovative solution, it is an innovation in the construction world. This technology was first discovered in India in the early 2000s by Dr. R. Vasudevan who is a chemistry professor at a college in India.

Vasudevan found that shredded plastic mixed with hot asphalt could increase the quality of the road as well as the durability of heavy loads, extreme temperatures, and water. As a result, this innovation keeps developing in other countries, including Indonesia.

Types of Plastic for the Asphalt

Plastic asphalt mixture materials can be from various types of plastic, such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, and PU. Here is a complete explanation:

1. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This plastic is commonly used as a plastic asphalt mixture. Moreover, HDPE is used by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to develop itt. An example of HDPE is plastic bags.

2. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is a plastic-type made of crude oil and is considered thermoplastic. Thus, it can soften when being heated and harden when being cooled. Furthermore, LDPE has a low boiling point, making it easier to be mixed with hot asphalt.

3. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

PET is a thermoplastic and can be blended with hot asphalt. Typically, PET is used to make plastic bottles, food containers, beverage packaging, and plastic jars.

4. Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane is a type of plastic that can be shaped in various ways due to its flexibility. Examples of PU plastics are automotive components and furniture foams.

How to Make Plastic Asphalt

Regarding plastic asphalt making, Chandra Asri Group as one of the chemical solution companies also contributes to plastic asphalt production. They describe the process as follows:

Plastic waste is taken from the final disposal site, sorted, shredded, and washed.
Hot aggregate is mixed with processed plastic shreds to become plastic-coated aggregate.
Plastic-coated aggregate is mixed with hot asphalt.
The plastic asphalt mixture is ready to be used on the road.

The Advantages of Plastic Asphalt

This asphalt innovation gives several advantages, making plastic asphalt better than conventional ones, such as:

1. Higher Durability

Plastic asphalt is more durable in facing cracks and deformation because the plastic gives enough flexibility to the asphalt. Consequently, it will be sturdier for long-term use with a more cost-effective maintenance budget.

2. Reducing Plastic Waste

The use of plastic asphalt also helps reduce plastic waste in the environment and landfills. This innovation also supports the concept of a circular economy that extends the life of a product.

3. More Water Resistance

One of the things that damage asphalt on highways is water. Asphalt with a plastic composition is more water resistant, reducing the possibility of rain and flood damage to roads.

4. Improving Road Stability

In general, plastic asphalt has higher stability because it is more durable in extreme weather compared to conventional asphalt.

5. Reducing Carbon Footprint

Compared to traditional asphalt, plastic asphalt production results in lower carbon emissions. Additionally, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by recycling plastic trash.

6. Efficient Cost for Long Term

The initial production of plastic asphalt may cost more, but when it is already applied on the road, the asphalt will be more long-lasting, requiring less maintenance. This will surely reduce the maintenance budget and replacement for the long term.

Example of Plastic Asphalt in Indonesia

Despite being an innovation in the construction sector, The use of plastic asphalt has been implemented on several roads in Indonesia. One of the examples is the application of plastic asphalt by Chandra Asri Group collaborating with the Garut Regency Government and Yayasan Bakti Barito.

In 2022–2023, the collaboration resulted in road sections covered with plastic asphalt. In fact, it has been installed on over 120 km of roads in Indonesia.

Along with the plastic asphalt, the Chandra Asri Group also develops a product franchise supporting plastic asphalt entitled CIRCLOⓇ.

CIRCLOⓇ is made of shredded plastic developed to empower local recyclers and merchants to produce asphalt mixture raw materials that meet standards.

Chandra Asri Group also provides technical training to asphalt mixing plants (AMP) and contractors so that they can mix the shredded plastic with the asphalt properly.

Those are the information about plastic asphalt you can learn. This innovation can be one of the solutions to manage plastic waste wisely as well as increase the quality of asphalt in Indonesia.