A Different Kind of Infrastructure Story
In an era where infrastructure is increasingly judged not only by its scale but by its sustainability, Georgia is preparing to host a conversation that goes far beyond engineering. On 16 March 2026, Tbilisi will welcome international experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to the Georgia Rubberized Asphalt Summit (GRAS 2026)—an event that signals a shift in how the country approaches both road construction and environmental responsibility.
Organized by Tegeta Green Planet and Wasteless, and supported by the Rubberized Asphalt Foundation (RAF), the summit reflects a growing recognition: the future of infrastructure lies in solutions that are not only efficient, but circular.
From Waste Problem to Strategic Resource
At the heart of the summit is a deceptively simple idea—transforming end-of-life tires into high-performance road materials.
Rubberized asphalt, which incorporates recycled tire rubber into traditional asphalt mixes, has been used for decades in countries such as the United States. Its benefits are well documented: improved durability, enhanced flexibility, reduced noise, and lower maintenance costs over time.
Yet its adoption has often been uneven.
The challenge has not been the absence of technology, but the absence of structured implementation—standards, expertise, and coordination. This is where the presence of RAF becomes particularly significant.
Rather than introducing a new concept, the summit is introducing a pathway.
RAF’s Role: Bringing Structure to Innovation
The Rubberized Asphalt Foundation occupies a unique position in the global infrastructure ecosystem. It is not a contractor, nor a policymaker, but a bridge—connecting research, engineering practice, and public policy.
Its participation in GRAS 2026 elevates the event from a technical conference to a strategic platform. RAF brings with it decades of global experience, helping to ensure that discussions are grounded in proven methodologies rather than fragmented experimentation.
More importantly, it introduces continuity.
This is not about a single event. It is about embedding knowledge, standards, and long-term thinking into how infrastructure is planned and delivered.
A Strategic Link Between Global Expertise and Georgia
A defining feature of this collaboration is the direct connection between Georgia and RAF at the leadership level. Shalva Akhvlediani, CEO of Tegeta Green Planet, serves on the RAF Board of Directors, creating a tangible link between global expertise and regional implementation.
This connection matters.
It ensures that Georgia is not simply receiving knowledge, but actively participating in its development and dissemination. It allows global best practices to be adapted more effectively to local conditions, while also giving the region a voice in shaping the future of rubberized asphalt applications.
In practical terms, it strengthens trust.
For stakeholders—whether public authorities or private contractors—the presence of this institutional bridge reduces uncertainty. It signals that the initiative is not isolated, but integrated into a broader, internationally recognized framework.
Learning from Those Who Have Done It Before
The summit’s credibility is further reinforced by the participation of leading international experts.
Figures such as Dr. Jorge Sousa and Dr. Shakir Shatnawi will present in person, while Dr. George Way, Chairman of RAF, will contribute remotely. These are individuals who have worked extensively on the design, implementation, and evaluation of rubberized asphalt projects.
Their contribution goes beyond presentations.
They bring perspective—on what works, what does not, and what must be considered when scaling solutions. For Georgia, this represents an opportunity to accelerate its learning curve, avoiding the costly trial-and-error that often accompanies new technologies.
Why Timing Is Everything
The relevance of GRAS 2026 lies not only in its content, but in its timing.
Across Europe and beyond, infrastructure strategies are evolving. Governments are increasingly prioritizing lifecycle performance, emissions reduction, and resource efficiency. Circular economy principles are no longer theoretical—they are becoming embedded in policy and investment decisions.
Rubberized asphalt sits at the intersection of these trends.
It offers a practical way to reduce waste, improve infrastructure performance, and optimize long-term costs. For countries seeking to modernize their infrastructure while aligning with international sustainability standards, it presents a compelling option.
Georgia, with its ongoing infrastructure development and strategic geographic position, is well placed to explore this opportunity.
The Challenge of Coordination
If the benefits are clear, the path to implementation is less straightforward.
Successful adoption of rubberized asphalt requires coordination across multiple actors: policymakers, engineers, contractors, and material suppliers. Without alignment, even the most promising technologies can struggle to gain traction.
GRAS 2026 addresses this challenge directly.
By bringing together representatives from government ministries, municipal authorities, industry, academia, and international organizations, the summit creates a space for integrated dialogue.
This is where real progress begins—not in isolated discussions, but in shared understanding.
Private Sector as a Catalyst
The leadership of Tegeta Green Planet and Wasteless highlights an important dynamic: the role of the private sector in driving sustainability.
Rather than waiting for regulatory change, these organizations are actively shaping the conversation. They are convening expertise, creating platforms for exchange, and helping to translate global trends into local action.
This proactive approach is increasingly essential.
In fast-moving sectors such as infrastructure and environmental technology, change often begins with those willing to lead rather than follow.
A Message Beyond the Summit
Events like GRAS 2026 do more than share knowledge—they send signals.
They signal that a country is ready to engage with new ideas.
They signal openness to international collaboration.
They signal ambition.
For Georgia, hosting a summit with direct involvement from RAF communicates a clear message to investors, development institutions, and global partners: the country is positioning itself within the next generation of infrastructure thinking.
What Comes Next
The success of GRAS 2026 will not be measured solely by attendance or discussion, but by what follows.
Will pilot projects be launched?
Will technical standards be developed?
Will rubberized asphalt become part of mainstream infrastructure planning?
These are the questions that matter.
What is evident, however, is that the foundations are being laid. The combination of international expertise, institutional connection, and local initiative creates a strong platform for progress.
A Roadmap in the Making
In many ways, GRAS 2026 represents a starting point.
It is the beginning of a process through which Georgia can integrate sustainability more deeply into its infrastructure strategy—moving from conventional approaches toward solutions that are more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
With the involvement of the Rubberized Asphalt Foundation and the presence of a direct governance link through Shalva Akhvlediani, this process is anchored in both global expertise and regional commitment.
The result is not just a conference, but the outline of a roadmap—one that could position Georgia as a reference point for sustainable infrastructure in the wider region.
And if that roadmap is followed, the roads built in the years ahead may carry more than traffic. They may carry the mark of a country choosing to build differently.
