Pavement preservation (Specialty Emulsions)

As vehicular traffic loading increases and roads face greater wear, offering customers a range of solutions to manage maintenance and improve operational efficiencies is crucial.

Pavement preservation solutions are designed to:

• Extend the asset life and delay the need for resurfacing and re-sheeting
• Maintain surface friction and skid resistance, even in wet conditions
• Avoid expensive reconstructions and reduce lifecycle costs
• Improve overall surface quality and ride comfort.

By applying the right pavement preservation treatment early, while the road is still in good condition with no structural defect, asset owners can maintain high-quality road networks, minimise traffic disruption through low-energy, fast-curing applications, and achieve value for money. It is more cost-effective to keep a good road in good condition than to restore a deteriorated road.

In New Zealand

Road Science New Zealand has designed and manufactured a comprehensive range of advanced pavement preservation products. From patch repairs and pothole solutions to high-performing surface treatments, these products are engineered to support long-term asset performance and are expertly delivered by our Downer SEP teams.

View their full range of pavement preservation products here. Road Science Pavement Preservation 

In Australia

• Microsurfacing: A cold-applied surface treatment that corrects shape, improves ride quality, and reduces reflective cracking by up to 30 percent. With a design life of 12 years, it offers significant cost savings compared to asphalt.
• Rhinophalt: A safer, ambient temperature spray treatment that protects asphalt from age and oxidation. In 2025, this innovative pavement preservation treatment was used for an airport runway project in Australia- a pioneering first.