MGL Group drives innovation within our teams, clients, and supply chain partners, with collaboration at the core of our transformational approach. As Durham County Council’s (DCC) road surfacing partner, we offer a fully integrated vertical service from cradle to construction surface, balancing road construction needs with environmental concerns through new technologies and sustainable practices.
In 2024, we led two pioneering initiatives addressing road safety and sustainability. Our collaboration with DCC and Low Carbon Materials (LCM) resulted in County Durham’s first net zero asphalt scheme, which actively removes and retains carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By incorporating LCM’s carbon-negative aggregate, ACLA®, and using recycled materials such as plastics, rubber, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), we produced a warm asphalt mix, further reducing carbon levels.
Hazigrip® is a high-skid-resistant surfacing material for hazardous road sections and accident hotspots. It features a distinctive red colour for increased visibility and is formulated with a high Polished Stone Value (PSV) aggregate to enhance tyre grip, particularly under braking conditions. It also alerts pedestrians to increased risk, enhancing road safety by clearly differentiating junctions and skid-prone areas.
These innovations leverage new materials and technologies for better results. All materials are produced in-house by our manufacturing operation, Tynedale Roadstone, and the asphalt is laid on roads across County Durham by our in-house surfacing division, part of Rainton Construction. Through these efforts, we continue to set new standards in road construction, ensuring safer and more sustainable infrastructure for the communities we serve.
Three Winning Facts:
- First Net Zero Asphalt in County Durham: MGL Group is the first in County Durham to successfully implement net zero asphalt, showcasing industry leadership in sustainable road construction. This ground breaking asphalt mix actively removes and permanently retains carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
- Hazigrip® for Enhanced Road Safety: Hazigrip® is a high-skid-resistant surfacing material for high-risk road sections and accident hotspots. It significantly improves road safety by increasing visibility and improving tyre grip, particularly under braking conditions. This innovation enhances road safety by clearly differentiating junctions and skid-prone areas.
- Lifecycle Assessment and Cost Savings: MGL Group’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) confirms the environmental benefits of its asphalt products. It highlights the significant reduction in carbon emissions achieved through reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and fillers. The production stage contributes the most to the product’s impact, with bitumen being the largest contributor. Using natural gas and local sourcing of raw materials further enhances the sustainability of our asphalt products.
