In a bid to clean up potholes and cut down on carbon, a UK firm is rolling out its low-emission repair tech across Egypt—one seamless patch at a time.
They call Cairo the “City of a Thousand Minarets.” But soon, it might also be known for something else: thousands of potholes vanishing under British-engineered heat.
Egypt’s Crumbling Roads Meet UK Engineering
Thermal Road Repairs, a small firm from Crewe in northwest England, has signed a significant deal with Rowad Modern Engineering—a heavyweight in Egyptian construction. The agreement, announced this week, grants Rowad exclusive rights to use and promote Thermal’s asphalt repair technology across Egypt and possibly beyond.
That includes airports, highways, utility works—you name it.
The partnership isn’t just a business win. It’s also a sustainability play.
Thermal’s infrared-based system claims to emit 85% less carbon than traditional pothole repair methods. That’s no small promise in a country like Egypt, where road degradation has been a long-standing issue, and environmental reform is starting to gain real traction.
One sentence here. Because it’s a turning point.
The tech doesn’t just patch roads—it changes the way people think about fixing them.
How the Technology Works—And Why It Matters
Instead of jackhammering out damaged asphalt, Thermal Road Repairs uses PC-controlled infrared heaters. These gently warm the damaged area and surrounding asphalt, allowing it to be reworked with a bit of new material and compacted back into place.
No seams. No waste. No need to cart off debris or bring in extra trucks.
Here’s the part that caught the Egyptian authorities’ attention:
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The same failing asphalt is reused on-site.
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One mobile unit does the entire job—from heating to compaction.
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Operatives avoid noise pollution and vibration-related health risks.
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Fewer trucks on the road mean less disruption for businesses and commuters.
In a city like Cairo, that last part is huge.
Gridlock isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a way of life. So a solution that gets in, fixes the road, and gets out fast? That’s gold.
A Year in the Making Through British Channels
This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment deal. It’s been over a year of back-and-forth discussions between the British Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, key Egyptian infrastructure agencies, and Thermal’s leadership.
Among the organizations involved was the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation—an influential player in the country’s aviation infrastructure.
It’s not hard to see why they were interested.
Airports, especially runways, need repairs done quickly and cleanly. The last thing anyone wants is a flight delay because someone’s digging up tarmac. Infrared repairs, done in one go, are a clean fit—literally.
A Strategic Footprint for Both Players
Rowad, for its part, is no minor player.
Headquartered in Cairo, the firm already operates across GCC countries and parts of Africa. This deal adds a green-tech feather to its cap—and helps position it as a regional innovator in sustainable infrastructure.
Here’s a snapshot of how both companies benefit:
| Partner | Key Gains |
|---|---|
| Thermal Road Repairs | Market entry into North Africa and GCC; brand visibility |
| Rowad Modern Engineering | Exclusive tech rights in Egypt; expanded green capabilities |
| Egypt | Cleaner, faster, less disruptive infrastructure repair |
Rowad’s team will also be trained by Thermal in the use of the equipment, ensuring repairs follow the same standards as in the UK. This includes support on-site, calibration checks, and methodology alignment to British engineering specs.
Green Repair Tech Comes at the Right Time
Egypt has been trying to clean up its infrastructure image—literally and figuratively.
The country’s National Climate Change Strategy 2050 calls for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions in certain sectors. Transport and construction are at the top of that list.
Thermal’s low-emission solution dovetails perfectly into those goals. Officials have become increasingly interested in public-private models that don’t just get the job done—but do it sustainably.
It also aligns with broader UK-Egypt collaborations, especially in post-COP27 momentum. Britain and Egypt co-hosted the 2022 climate summit, and while headlines have since faded, the relationships built there seem to be bearing real fruit.
One sentence again. Because it’s real progress.
Sometimes diplomacy happens one road repair at a time.
What Comes Next?
For now, the focus is on Cairo and key government-owned assets. But both companies hint that this is just the start.
Rowad could eventually bring the technology to private developers, municipalities, or even military-owned roads. Given how many construction zones sprawl across the region, that’s a big potential market.
Thermal Road Repairs is also looking to scale its manufacturing and service footprint, possibly opening a local base of operations if the deal performs well.
And while the firm remains relatively small in the UK, this Egypt deal might just be the catalyst it needs to play on the world stage.
