PAVING THE WAY TO A GREENER FUTURE
C-Twelve NT, a Darwin-based business led by renowned Sunbuild owner Neil Sunners, has been working with partners in Western Australia to develop an eco-friendly and effective alternative to traditional asphalt.
C-Twelve’s innovation is centred around two unique products: C12 Plus and C12 Black.
C12 Plus, a proprietary binder, is a game-changer in the industry. Unlike traditional binders, it interacts with carbon, a process that plays a crucial role in road manufacturing. The innovative binder enhances subbase compaction by incorporating biochar-based carbon, ensuring a strong foundation for road surfaces.
Complementing C12 Plus is C12 Black, a graded material engineered to replace traditional asphalt-wearing courses.
What sets C12 Black apart is its application process. Unlike conventional asphalt, which requires high temperatures for laying, C12 Black can be applied at ambient temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
The core of C-Twelve’s innovation lies in the synergy between carbon and the binders, a fusion of technology and sustainability.
By harnessing carbon’s potential, the company not only improves road performance but also reduces its environmental impact.
Mr Sunners says that this unique approach provides a sustainable alternative to traditional asphalt and cement, with similar properties but less ecological impact.
The material undergoes a reaction upon compaction, delivering performance on par with traditional asphalt surfaces.
Jurgen Schoeman of Darwin-based Galt NT, a geotechnical consultancy, uses C-12 Black for road repairs, including on the Stuart Highway and airport runways. He praises it for being easier to handle and store than local alternatives.
Barkly Regional Council’s Nanda Uppalapati commends C-12 Black for its excellent performance in patching potholes in Alpurrurulam.
“The product bonds well and provides a durable surface. Within hours, the material hardens, allowing traffic to resume with minimal downtime.”
Michael Easton of Territory Tyres also endorses C-12 Black, having used it to repair potholes caused by road trains at his shop.
“These premix bitumen bags have been a game-changer. The potholes we fill now last significantly longer compared with traditional cold-mix asphalts.”
Mr Sunners and C-Twelve NT manager Jaco Wentzel have collaborated with C-Twelve in Perth since 2019 to develop carbon-sequestering technology within their products.
They also tested using recycled concrete from Darwin-based NTEX, finding that it further strengthens their paving material. “
“We’ve now got all the secret herbs and spices,” says Colonel Sunners. “We have proved that this product works – and works well.
“Our product is carbon negative, sequestering up to 600 tonnes of CO2 per kilometre, helping create a greener planet. We’ve already become the preferred product for several communities and councils.”
C-12 Black is solvent-free and water-based, making it easy to install without specialised equipment. It can be applied on a larger scale using conventional paving machines.
Unlike traditional asphalt, which requires heating, C-12 Black can be freighted and stored with ease, making it ideal for rural and remote communities.
C-Twelve NT offers it in 25 kilogram bags and one-tonne bulker bags.
“This makes the product perfect for regional and remote communities, local councils, infrastructure companies, and construction firms,” Mr Wentzel says.
“As production ramps up, we will even be able to supply it for major projects, such as highways and large airport runways, which will also help reduce costs further.”
Mr Sunners is confident that C-Twelve NT will revolutionise road building and repairs.
“I’m very excited about this. I know it has the potential to go a long way, especially considering its benefits for the environment.”
CONTACT
C-Twelve NT
0461 350 838
sales@c-twelvent.com.au
c-twelve.com.au/nt