Funding Innovation: Transforming Nova Scotia’s old tires into construction blast mats

In 2024, Divert NS, in collaboration with Halifax C&D Recycling, hosted a tour of Halifax C&D’s new blasting mat manufacturing facility. For many years, Halifax C&D has been using end-of-life tires recycled in Nova Scotia to produce tire derived aggregate (TDA) at its processing facility located in Goodwood, NS. The TDA is used in a variety of construction projects ranging from filter beds to highway construction. Halifax C&D is constantly looking for opportunities to repurpose used tires to further reduce their carbon footprint and replace imported products to our region. 

Through our Value-Added Manufacturing Funding Program, Divert NS provided Halifax C&D with $95,750 to establish a new manufacturing facility to produce blasting mats made from end-of-life highway truck tires. Blasting mats are used in the construction industry and their production is a new process in Atlantic Canada. Prior to this process being established, all blasting mats used in the Atlantic region were produced outside the  area in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. With this new process in place, Halifax C&D can expect to divert over 1,500 tonnes of tires annually. In addition to diverting tires, bringing this innovation to Nova Scotia means that customers significantly reduce their environmental footprint as transportation emissions are decreased by purchasing the blast mats locally in Nova Scotia.  

The facility tour was attended by Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Tim Halman, Divert NS Board members, staff, and other stakeholders. Attendees had the opportunity to see the newly developed equipment in action making both small passenger tire and large truck tire blast mats.