Roads and road rehabilitation
New roads are built on stabilized local soil. Worn roads are recycled in place: the old asphalt and base are milled, treated and compacted into a new, stronger base, with no material hauled away.
Road test, Florida, 2020
Build with the ground you are standing on.
Zym-Tec is a bio-enzymatic soil stabilizer. Mixed into local soil and compacted, it forms a dense, moisture-resistant layer for roads, blocks and pipes, using less cement, less trucking and less energy than conventional methods.
Surface course
Zym-Tec stabilized base
Compacted local soil
Natural subgrade
- 16+years of research and development
- 6registered patents
- 50–80%less cement in pipe production
- 4regions with implementation licenses
How the enzyme works
Zym-Tec is produced by natural fermentation of sugar cane and organic extracts. It is water-soluble, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-corrosive.
Added to soil with the compaction water, the enzyme acts as a catalyst. It breaks down organic matter and strengthens the bonds between clay particles, so water is pushed out and the soil packs tighter. The result is a semi-rigid, monolithic layer that resists moisture and holds its shape under load.
From soil to finished layer
Assess the soil
Samples from the site are tested to set the dosage and the moisture content.
Dilute and spread
The concentrate is mixed into water and sprayed over the loosened soil.
Mix and compact
Standard road equipment blends the soil and compacts it to the design density.
Cure
The layer hardens as it dries, forming a moisture-resistant base ready for a surface course.
Conventional construction vs. Zym-Tec
Illustrated guides that compare the two methods, and a video overview of the technology. Select a guide to view it full size.
Video overview About 8 minutes, narrated in English.
The Zym-Tec method, step by step
- Seven steps, from site survey to a finished stabilized base
- Typical dosage: 1 liter of enzyme per 30 m³ of soil
- Stabilized layer of 200–300 mm, compacted to at least 95% Proctor density
- Quality control with Proctor, CBR, moisture and field density tests
The guides are in English.
Conventional vs. Zym-Tec green technology
- Conventional roads rely on crushed stone, imported fill, cement and bitumen
- Zym-Tec uses 90–100% local material, with no cement in soil stabilization
- Up to 70% faster construction and lower maintenance
- Indicative life span of 25–40+ years, compared with 15–20
The guides are in English.
Two approaches to road construction
- Conventional: dig out the weak soil, haul it away and import replacement fill
- Zym-Tec: stabilize the existing soil in place
- Clay-containing soils respond particularly well, subject to testing
- The soil below can improve to a depth of about 1 m, subject to field verification
The guides are in English.
Layered pavement vs. stabilized soil
- A conventional pavement stacks up to six layers of asphalt, aggregate and fill
- Zym-Tec alternates stabilized soil with natural soil
- Every project starts with soil testing and a site-specific design
- Results are verified in the laboratory and in the field
The guides are in English.
From the field
Photos and footage from Zym-Tec road projects and a block production plant.
Road construction
Block production
Where it is used
One technology, three kinds of work. Each uses the soil or waste material already available near the project.
Building materials
Blocks and composite wall panels are pressed from local soil on or near the site, which shortens supply chains for housing and public buildings.
Infrastructure materials
Pipes and other precast elements are made with a large share of the cement replaced by treated soil, at a lower production cost.
2010Ethiopia
Concrete pipe production in Ethiopia
Zym-Tec was used to produce concrete pipes from enzyme-treated local soil. The project cut cement consumption sharply and lowered production costs, while the pipes met the required durability.
- Cement use reduced by 50–80%
- Local soil as the main raw material
- Durable, high-quality pipes
- Lower production cost
Why contractors choose it
Works with most soil types
Dosage is matched to each soil through testing.
Standard equipment
Graders, mixers and rollers already on site are enough.
Short preparation
No quarrying or long material deliveries before work starts.
Low maintenance
A moisture-resistant base keeps its strength through wet seasons.
Local labor
Moderate crew sizes, trained on site.
Lower carbon
Less cement and less transport mean fewer emissions.
Simple logistics
The enzyme ships as a concentrate, so one container covers a large area. Projects can choose how materials are delivered.
Responsibility
Building with what is already there is better for budgets and for the places where we work.
Less cement
Cement production is a major source of CO₂. Replacing part of it lowers a project's footprint.
Less transport
Processing materials on site removes most truck trips for aggregate and spoil.
Less waste
Old asphalt, fly ash and quarry waste become inputs instead of landfill.
Local jobs
Work is done by local crews, and the skills stay in the community.
Start a project
Tell us about the site, the soil and the scope of work. We will reply with next steps for testing and a proposal.
Offices
- Florida, United States
- +1 702 902 0576
- Israel
- +972 52 836 6502
- office@zym-tec.com