On 16 March 2026, Tbilisi will host the Georgia Rubberized Asphalt Summit (GRAS 2026)—an event that reflects a broader strategic shift underway in the country’s infrastructure and environmental agenda. Organized by Tegeta Green Planet and Wasteless, with the direct participation of the Rubberized Asphalt Foundation (RAF), the summit signals Georgia’s intention to align infrastructure development with circular economy principles and international best practice.
At a time when governments and industry are under increasing pressure to deliver more durable, cost-efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure, rubberized asphalt—produced using recycled end-of-life tires—has emerged as a viable and increasingly attractive solution. The Tbilisi summit is positioned not merely as a technical forum, but as a platform for policy dialogue, investment signaling, and knowledge transfer.
From Concept to Implementation
Rubberized asphalt is not a new technology. With more than six decades of application in markets such as the United States and parts of Europe, it has demonstrated measurable advantages in durability, noise reduction, and lifecycle cost efficiency. However, adoption remains uneven, particularly in emerging markets where regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and supply chains are still evolving.
The presence of the Rubberized Asphalt Foundation in Tbilisi is therefore notable. RAF operates at the intersection of research, engineering practice, and policy advisory—supporting governments and industry stakeholders in translating technical knowledge into deployable infrastructure solutions.
“The challenge is rarely the technology itself—it is the confidence to implement it at scale,” notes Dr. George Way, Chairman of RAF. “What events like this enable is a transfer of confidence, built on decades of real-world performance.”
The summit’s structure reflects this intent. Its agenda is built around three core pillars—policy development, engineering performance, and sustainability—designed to address both the technical and institutional dimensions of adoption.
Strategic Significance of International Participation
The calibre of international participants underscores the seriousness of the initiative. Among those expected to contribute are:
- Dr. Jorge Sousa, Chairman of Consulpav
- Dr. Shakir Shatnawi, professor and engineering consultant
- Dr. George Way, Chairman of RAF (online participation)
Their involvement reflects a deliberate effort to ground the conversation in practical experience rather than theoretical exploration.
“Rubberized asphalt is no longer an experimental solution—it is a mature technology with a strong performance record,” says Dr. Jorge Sousa. “The opportunity for countries like Georgia is to adopt it intelligently, learning from decades of accumulated knowledge rather than starting from zero.”
“What matters is not just adopting the material, but adopting the system around it—standards, quality control, and engineering discipline,” adds Dr. Shakir Shatnawi. “That is where international collaboration becomes critical.”
For local stakeholders—ranging from government agencies to contractors—this represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with practitioners who have implemented rubberized asphalt at scale.
A Local Anchor with Global Reach
Particularly noteworthy is the role of Shalva Akhvlediani, CEO of Tegeta Green Planet and a member of the RAF Board of Directors.
“Georgia is at a point where infrastructure decisions can define the next generation of economic and environmental performance,” says Shalva Akhvlediani. “Being part of RAF allows us to bring global expertise directly into that decision-making process.”
His presence within the governance structure of an international technical foundation represents more than symbolic participation. It establishes a direct institutional link between Georgia and the global community shaping the future of sustainable road construction.
“This is not about importing a solution—it is about adapting a proven approach to local conditions and building long-term capability,” Akhvlediani adds.
Aligning Infrastructure with Circular Economy Objectives
The timing of GRAS 2026 aligns with a wider shift in infrastructure strategy across both developed and emerging markets. Increasingly, road construction is evaluated not only on upfront cost, but on lifecycle performance, environmental impact, and resource efficiency.
Rubberized asphalt addresses several of these priorities simultaneously:
- It provides a productive end-use for waste tires
- It enhances pavement performance
- It can reduce long-term maintenance costs
“Every kilometer of rubberized asphalt represents a convergence of engineering performance and environmental responsibility,” says an RAF representative familiar with the foundation’s international programs. “It is one of the clearest examples of circular economy principles applied at scale.”
For Georgia, where infrastructure investment is accelerating, these characteristics offer a compelling value proposition.
Institutional Coordination as a Success Factor
A key challenge in adopting new infrastructure technologies lies not in the technology itself, but in coordination across stakeholders.
GRAS 2026 appears designed with this reality in mind. The summit will convene representatives from government ministries, municipal authorities, engineering firms, environmental organizations, and international institutions—creating a platform for cross-sector dialogue.
“Implementation requires alignment—from policymakers to engineers to contractors,” notes an infrastructure advisor involved in European road programs. “What Georgia is doing with this summit is creating that alignment early.”
The Role of Tegeta Green Planet and Wasteless
The initiative is being driven by Tegeta Green Planet, the sustainability-focused company associated with Tegeta Holding, in collaboration with Wasteless.
“Sustainability becomes meaningful when it is embedded into real economic activity,” says a senior representative from Tegeta Green Planet. “This summit is about turning environmental responsibility into infrastructure reality.”
Together, the organizers are positioning themselves not only as hosts, but as facilitators of systemic change—bridging international expertise with local execution.
A Signal to Investors and Policymakers
Beyond its technical agenda, GRAS 2026 carries a signaling function.
“Events like this are closely watched,” says a European infrastructure investor. “They indicate whether a market is ready to engage with modern, performance-driven solutions—and whether there is institutional support behind that transition.”
For international partners, the involvement of RAF and its board members provides an additional layer of credibility.
Outlook
The ultimate impact of the Georgia Rubberized Asphalt Summit will depend on what follows. Conferences can catalyze momentum, but sustained progress requires policy frameworks, pilot implementations, and institutional commitment.
“The real success of this summit will not be measured on the day itself,” concludes Dr. Way. “It will be measured in the projects that follow.”
With international expertise, local leadership, and growing strategic clarity, Georgia is positioning itself not just as a participant—but as an emerging reference point in sustainable infrastructure.
