Could a new durable material solve the UK’s pothole woes?
March 06, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Tired of driving over countless potholes? A new graphene-enhanced road surface may be our saving grace.
The UK’s roads are chock-a-block with potholes – but the construction of our roads could soon be more durable and sustainable than ever before, thanks to a new innovation.
In a world first, a new graphene-enhanced road surface has been successfully tested on a public road in Teesside, North East England.
Its developers, graphene company Universal Matter GBR Ltd, road construction firm Tarmac, and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said that the innovation could reduce potholes, extend road lifespan, and create a smoother driveway for vehicles.
What is graphene?
Graphene is a super strong, highly conductive and versatile material made of a single layer of carbon atoms in a honeycomb pattern. This carbon-based nanomaterial has many potential uses in electronics and other advanced materials.
Universal Matter’s Genable Pavement additive seamlessly integrates graphene into the asphalt mixture, according to reports.
Designed to enhance the properties of standard asphalt, this additive helps improve the durability and longevity of road surfaces. As a result, the road becomes far less susceptible to the wear and tear that typically leads to potholes and cracking.
The material also promotes sustainable road construction as it reduces the need for frequent repairs and replacements, leading to a smaller carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the advanced asphalt provides a smoother, more even surface for drivers, meaning that there’s less damage to cars.
How did they do it?
To create the graphene-enhanced road surface, the developers processed a large amount of the material.
Over 150 tonnes of standard asphalt was combined with Universal Matter’s Genable Pavement graphene additive at Tarmac’s Coxhoe asphalt plant, located in Durham.
This mixed asphalt was then transported to Flatts Lane Country Park on the outskirts of Middlesborough and used to construct a brand-new entrance road.
Before this development, the graphene-enhanced asphalt has undergone testing in controlled environments such as car parks and test tracks in the US and Canada.
A solution for the pothole problem?
The financial burden of pothole damage on UK motorists is dramatically increasing. £579m was spent in 2024 alone on repairing vehicles damaged by potholes, according to an AA report. It’s also a major economic burden for the UK, costing the country £143.5m per year.
Potholes start as small cracks in the road and form thanks to continued traffic putting pressure on these cracks.
Researchers around the world have been actively working to minimise pothole formations, and this new technology could be a viable solution.
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