OCL Regeneration (OCL), Holcim’s endorsed brand for circular road solutions, played a central role in a pioneering West Midlands trial to decarbonise local road infrastructure. Working with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Coventry City Council, OCL supplied Foamix ECO – its carbon-neutral asphalt, bringing practical circularity to the scheme. Delivered in collaboration with Holcim colleagues and industry partners Balfour Beatty and Macdonald Surfacing, the project also trialled a range of next-generation asphalt technologies.
Part of ADEPT Live Labs 2, the three-year Department for Transport-funded programme, the Coventry scheme is resurfacing two key roads using innovative low-carbon materials. The results will provide crucial data for local authorities across the UK as they evaluate sustainable surfacing options.
At the heart of the OCL contribution is Foamix ECO, produced with carbon-negative materials such as ACLA lignin and biogenic bitumen, alongside OCL’s proven recycling expertise. Together, these solutions are designed to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining performance and durability.
Neil Leake, National Technical Manager at Holcim UK, said:
“By putting OCL’s circular products into real-world use through projects like Live Labs, we can test and prove how innovation translates into lasting value. This is about delivering durability, sustainability and cost efficiency for communities today, and building the evidence base for the highways of tomorrow.”
Data on performance, carbon savings and costs will support local authorities nationwide to make informed decisions. Holcim UK, through OCL, is committed to providing expertise and sustainable road technologies that help deliver better, lower-carbon highways across the UK.
