Bitumen is one of the most widely used construction materials in road surfacing and infrastructure. As sustainability becomes a greater priority and material costs continue to rise, many asphalt producers and contractors are exploring recycled bitumen as a viable alternative.
Recycling bitumen is not only possible, it is already widely practiced. This blog explains how bitumen is recycled, how asphalt plants manage reclaimed material, and how TEC’s modular tank systems help store and handle both recycled and virgin binders effectively.
Understanding Recycled Bitumen and Asphalt Reuse
Bitumen is most commonly recycled through the reuse of asphalt. During roadworks, asphalt is milled and recovered as RAP, or Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement. RAP contains both aggregate and aged bitumen binder that can be processed and reused in new production.
Recycling asphalt reduces the need for raw materials, lowers project costs, and supports landfill diversion targets. In Australia, regions such as Perth and the Gold Coast have made strong progress in using recycled asphalt for local infrastructure and resurfacing projects.
RAP can be repurposed in cold-mix asphalt or lower-grade layers, but it is also increasingly used in hot-mix production. In these applications, the reclaimed binder must be reheated and blended with virgin bitumen or rejuvenators to meet performance standards.
How Bitumen Is Recycled
There are two main approaches to bitumen recycling:
Blending RAP into new mixes. Asphalt plants incorporate reclaimed material into hot-mix designs using a combination of RAP, virgin aggregate, and fresh binder. This requires accurate temperature control to maintain quality.
Recovering binder as a recycled fuel or base material. In some operations, bitumen is separated from aggregate and processed for reuse as a standalone binder or fuel source.
In both cases, recycled bitumen must be heated, stored, and transferred with care. Product variability and the risk of contamination make reliable storage infrastructure an essential part of any recycling workflow.
Storage and Handling for Recycled Bitumen
Like virgin bitumen, recycled binder must be kept at high temperatures to maintain its pumpability and performance. Heating systems and proper insulation help reduce viscosity and prevent separation or product loss.
TEC’s modular Bitutainer™ Storage Facility is built to support both recycled and virgin bitumen. With integrated heating systems, full insulation, and transport flexibility, these tanks are ideal for:
Storing reclaimed or blended binders near point of use
Supporting mobile or temporary asphalt operations
Creating separate storage for different binder grades
Scaling storage capacity for seasonal or multi-phase works
These units have already been deployed in projects where fixed tanks are not practical, offering flexibility without compromising on quality or safety.
Supporting RAP and Recycled Binder Operations
Reclaimed asphalt is no longer seen as waste material. It is a key part of modern asphalt production. As recycled content targets grow across public and private contracts, infrastructure must keep up.
TEC’s heated and insulated tanks help asphalt producers manage both recycled and virgin materials with better control and lower risk. Our systems have supported everything from regional resurfacing jobs to high-throughput asphalt plants.
For more information on how RAP fits into the storage and supply chain, read our blog on RAP handling and logistics. You can also learn more about maintaining temperature and performance in our guide to bitumen heating systems.
Recycled bitumen is playing a growing role in sustainable road construction. From RAP-based asphalt mixes to reclaimed binders, effective reuse is possible with the right equipment and process controls.
TEC’s modular storage solutions are designed to support this shift. Whether you are managing a local resurfacing programme or building capacity for blended production, our systems help you store and move material efficiently.
Explore our modular storage solutions for recycled and virgin bitumen