Instaband ECO® Thermoplastic Overbanding Tape

Ultracrete Instaband ECO is one of the best thermoplastic overbanding products on the market — the premier HAPAS approved overbanding tape for pothole repair joint sealing, asphalt crack sealing, tarmac joint sealing and trench reinstatement. Designed to prevent water ingress and progressive fretting, it prevents water ingress immediately after application and seals reinstatement joints, fretted joints and static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep in suitable highway surfaces. Whether you're a highways contractor sealing a carriageway reinstatement, a utilities team finishing a utility trench reinstatement, or a homeowner completing a driveway pothole repair, it's a product our customers consistently come back to tell us they're delighted with: fast to apply, open to traffic in just 10 minutes, and a genuine difference-maker to the longevity of any asphalt repair.

A HAPAS approved thermoplastic overbanding tape since 2012, supplied in 5 metre rolls (35mm wide × 3mm deep) with a 60 SRV anti-skid rating and elastic qualities that accommodate thermal movement — Ultracrete Instaband ECO is a professional-strength road joint sealer and asphalt edge sealer for pothole repair joint sealing, ironwork reinstatement, manhole joint sealing, asphalt crack sealing and road maintenance overbanding.

We're a small, family-run business — I'm Cleo, the owner, with over 25 years in the construction industry working with businesses including Tarmac and Instarmac. I work alongside a team of incredibly knowledgeable and caring individuals, and between us we've seen a lot of overbanding products come and go. Instaband ECO has been HAPAS approved since 2012, is manufactured using 100% recycled glass particles, and remains the go-to thermoplastic road repair tape for good reason: quick and easy to apply, no waste — cut as required — and open to traffic in just 10 minutes. In our experience, it really is the only overbanding tape you'll need.

We confidently recommend Instaband ECO as the final step in any pothole repair, reinstatement or asphalt crack repair — applied around the perimeter of the completed repair after asphalt or cold-lay tarmac has been compacted, or along cracks and fretted joints in existing highway surfaces. Used alongside SCJ Seal and Tack Coat Spray, Instant Road Repair IRR and Permanent Pothole Repair PPR, it creates a fully sealed, waterproof joint at the surface that prevents progressive fretting and water ingress. Buying regularly? A box of 12 rolls is also available.

Features & Benefits

• HAPAS approved since 2012 — HAPAS approved overbanding for highway reinstatement
• NBS Source registered for ease of specification
• UltraCrete Accredited Reinstatement Specification (UCARS) product
• Conforms to SROH S6.8, Fourth Edition 2020 (SRV minimum 55)
• Anti-skid SRV rating of 60
• Seals reinstatement joints, fretted joints and static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep
• Prevents water ingress and progressive fretting at repair edges — immediately after application
• Elastic qualities accommodate thermal movement
• Open to traffic within 10 minutes of installation
• Manufactured using 100% recycled glass particles
• No waste — cut as required
• Quick and easy to apply with a propane torch
• Available in Black (Red available on request — call 0330 122 1025)
• Size: 5 metre roll, 35mm wide × 3mm deep (40mm wide when installed)

Technical Specification

Who Uses Instaband ECO?

Instaband ECO is used across a wide range of sectors wherever a completed asphalt repair or reinstatement needs a waterproof, skid-resistant edge seal, or where road surface cracks and fretted joints need sealing:

• Highways contractors & local authorities — specified as the overbanding product within HAPAS-approved highway reinstatement systems; applied around the perimeter of pothole repairs, utility openings and ironwork reinstatements, and along carriageway cracks and fretted joints on public roads
• Utilities & telecoms subcontractors — fibre, telecoms, water, gas and electricity installation teams use Instaband ECO to seal the surface joint after utility trench reinstatement in roads, footways and verges
• Facilities & maintenance contractors — subcontractors maintaining asphalt in retail park and commercial car parks (including sites for supermarkets, logistics centres and industrial estates) use Instaband ECO to finish repairs and seal asphalt cracks before they lead to structural failure
• Specialist installation & groundworks contractors — electric gate installers, EV charging contractors, CCTV and security installers, barrier and bollard installers, drainage contractors and electrical and lighting contractors use Instaband ECO to seal the surface joint after reinstating asphalt following excavation
• Homeowners & private road users — Instaband ECO is equally suitable for finishing a pothole repair on a private driveway, sealing cracks in a shared access road, or overbanding a patch repair on an estate road. A single 5m roll is more than enough for most domestic repairs

Instaband ECO for Fibre and Telecoms Infrastructure Reinstatement

Ultracrete Instaband ECO is suitable for fibre, telecoms and utility contractors carrying out road, footway and carriageway reinstatement following duct and infrastructure installation. Once the asphalt or cold-lay material has been compacted following excavation to install fibre ducts and network infrastructure, Instaband ECO is applied around the perimeter of the reinstatement to seal the surface joint, prevent water ingress and protect against progressive fretting. This makes it a valuable finishing product for telecoms reinstatement, fibre civils, duct installation and utility repair works.

Instaband ECO for Specialist Installation and Groundworks

Ultracrete Instaband ECO can also be used to finish reinstatements where specialist installation and groundworks have created openings in existing asphalt or tarmac surfaces. This includes work carried out by electric gate and access-control installers, EV charging contractors, electrical and lighting contractors, CCTV and security installers, barrier and bollard installers, drainage contractors and utility companies. Applied around the edge of the completed reinstatement, Instaband ECO seals the surface joint and helps prevent water ingress and long-term fretting.

UltraCrete Approved Manhole Reinstatement System

UltraCrete’s PAS and HAPAS approved Ironwork Reinstatement System provides a complete range of high-performance materials for the installation and reinstatement of manholes, access covers and highway ironwork. The system brings together approved bedding mortars, rapid-setting backfill concretes, cold and hot-lay surfacing materials, seal and tack coat and thermoplastic overbanding, providing a complete solution designed for durable, high-performance highway reinstatement. The system has been independently tested and approved through UKAS-accredited laboratories, with products certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and Pavement Testing Services (PTS).

Compatible Products

• Ultracrete SCJ Seal & Tack Coat Spray — apply before laying asphalt to seal vertical edges and substrate
• Ultracrete Instant Road Repair 6mm — cold-lay asphalt for footways and cycle tracks
• Ultracrete Instant Road Repair 10mm — cold-lay asphalt for roads and highways
• Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair (PPR) — for drives and car parks

Download Instaband ECO technical datasheet (PDF)

Buying regularly? A box of 12 rolls is also available.

Ultracrete Instaband ECO FAQs

I'm Cleo, owner of The Paving Experts, with over 25 years in the construction industry working with businesses including Tarmac and Instarmac. I work alongside a small team of incredibly knowledgeable and caring individuals who share the same passion for getting it right. The FAQ answers below come from the questions we're asked every single day.

What is thermoplastic overbanding?

Thermoplastic overbanding is the process of applying a heat-activated bitumen tape around the edge of a road repair or reinstatement, or along a crack in an asphalt surface, to create a waterproof seal. The tape is made from thermoplastic material — it becomes workable when heated and bonds permanently to the asphalt surface as it cools. Instaband ECO is a HAPAS approved thermoplastic overbanding tape that conforms to SROH S6.8 and has a skid resistance value of 60.

What is overbanding tape used for?

Overbanding tape is used to seal joints, cracks and repair edges in asphalt and tarmac surfaces. It is applied around the perimeter of completed pothole repairs and reinstatements to prevent water ingress at the joint, and along static cracks in highway surfaces to stop water penetration before it leads to progressive fretting and structural failure. Instaband ECO can seal static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep in suitable highway surfaces.

What is the purpose of overbanding on roads?

The purpose of overbanding on roads is to seal the joint between new and existing asphalt after a repair or reinstatement, and to seal cracks in the road surface before they allow water penetration. Water entering through an unsealed joint or crack will freeze and expand in cold weather, causing the road surface to fret and break up around the repair. Overbanding with a thermoplastic tape like Instaband ECO creates a flexible, waterproof seal that moves with the road surface and significantly prolongs the life of the repair.

How do you seal an asphalt joint?

To seal an asphalt joint or reinstatement edge using Instaband ECO: ensure the surface is clean and completely dry, roll out the tape beaded-side up along the joint, then heat with a propane torch from 200–400mm using a slow, even sweeping motion until the material starts to bubble and melt. The tape will bond to the asphalt and cool within 5–10 minutes, creating a waterproof, skid-resistant seal. Do not apply in rain or snow, or on surfaces treated with salt or de-icers.

How do you seal cracks in asphalt?

Instaband ECO can be used to seal static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep in suitable highway surfaces. Clean the crack thoroughly, ensure the surface is dry, and apply Instaband ECO over the crack using a propane torch as directed. The thermoplastic material flows slightly as it heats, sealing the crack and creating a flexible, waterproof bond that accommodates thermal movement. For wider or moving cracks, seek advice from a specialist.

Why is overbanding used on road repairs?

Overbanding is used on road repairs because the joint between new and existing asphalt is the most vulnerable point in any reinstatement. Without overbanding, water can penetrate this joint, freeze and expand, causing the repair to fret and fail prematurely — often within months. Applying thermoplastic overbanding tape like Instaband ECO after compaction seals this joint immediately and provides a flexible, durable, skid-resistant surface seal that significantly extends the life of the repair.

How do you prevent water ingress into asphalt repairs?

To prevent water ingress in an asphalt repair, use a two-stage approach: apply SCJ Seal and Tack Coat Spray to the vertical edges and base before laying asphalt, to bond and waterproof below the surface; then apply Instaband ECO thermoplastic overbanding tape around the perimeter of the completed repair at the surface, to seal the joint between new and existing asphalt. Together these products provide waterproofing at every stage of the repair.

What is HAPAS approved overbanding?

HAPAS (Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme) is an independent approval scheme for highway products, run by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) on behalf of the Highways Authorities. A HAPAS approved overbanding product has been independently tested and certified as meeting the technical requirements for use in highway reinstatement. Instaband ECO has been HAPAS approved since 2012, making it suitable for specification in highway maintenance and reinstatement contracts where HAPAS-approved products are required.

How long does thermoplastic overbanding take to set?

Instaband ECO is open to traffic within approximately 10 minutes of installation, depending on air temperature. In warmer weather, the setting time may be slightly longer due to higher road temperature. In very cold weather, take care as the material can become brittle.

Can overbanding be used around manhole reinstatements?

Yes. Instaband ECO is specified within the UltraCrete HAPAS approved Ironwork Reinstatement System for use as the thermoplastic overbanding around the perimeter of completed manhole and ironwork reinstatements. It is applied after the cold-lay asphalt surface course has been compacted, sealing the joint between new and existing road surface and providing a waterproof, skid-resistant finish.

Can thermoplastic overbanding seal asphalt cracks?

Yes. Instaband ECO can seal reinstatement joints, fretted joints and static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep in suitable highway surfaces. This makes it useful not only as a repair edge sealer but also as a road maintenance overbanding product for sealing carriageway cracks before they allow water ingress and lead to road structural failure.

What is Ultracrete Instaband ECO?

Ultracrete Instaband ECO is a HAPAS approved thermoplastic overbanding tape applied around the perimeter of a completed pothole repair or reinstatement to seal the surface joint, prevent water ingress and stop progressive fretting at the repair edge. It can also seal static cracks up to 5mm wide and 20mm deep in suitable highway surfaces. Supplied in 5 metre rolls (35mm wide × 3mm deep), applied with a propane torch, and open to traffic within 10 minutes. HAPAS approved since 2012, conforms to SROH S6.8, anti-skid SRV 60.

How do I apply Instaband ECO?

Preheat the surface making sure it is completely free from moisture. Remove Instaband ECO from its protective wrapping and roll out onto the road surface, beaded side up. Once in place, heat with a propane torch from a distance of approximately 200–400mm (8–16”), using a slow, even sweeping motion — do not spot-heat, as this may scorch the material. Heat until the material starts to bubble and melt. After 5–10 minutes, check bonding by trying to lift the edge with a knife or chisel. If it lifts, reapply heat.

How do I prepare the surface before applying Instaband ECO?

The application area must be clean, dry and free from dust, chemicals and significant oil contamination. Do not apply in rain or snow, and ensure surfaces treated with salt or de-icers are fully washed before application as Instaband ECO will not bond with these substances. If applying to concrete, prime the area and ensure it has completely cooled before applying primer.

Can I use Instaband ECO to finish a pothole repair on my driveway?

Yes. Instaband ECO is used by highways authorities and major reinstatement contractors, but it's equally suitable for homeowners finishing a pothole repair on a private driveway, shared access road or estate road. Apply it around the perimeter of the completed repair once the cold-lay tarmac has been compacted. A single 5m roll is more than enough for most domestic repairs.

Is Instaband ECO suitable for car park repairs?

Yes. Instaband ECO is widely used by facilities and maintenance contractors finishing asphalt repairs in commercial car parks, including retail parks, supermarket sites, logistics centres and industrial estates. For larger volumes, a box of 12 rolls is available.

Can utilities contractors use Instaband ECO for reinstatements after fibre or utility installations?

Yes. Instaband ECO is approved for use within HAPAS-certified reinstatement systems and is widely used by utilities subcontractors — including fibre, telecoms, water, gas and electricity teams — to seal the surface joint after reinstating asphalt in roads, footways and verges following utility trench excavation. It conforms to SROH S6.8 and is NBS Source registered, making specification and sign-off straightforward.

What is the difference between Instaband ECO and SCJ?

SCJ and Instaband ECO do different jobs and are designed to be used together. SCJ Seal and Tack Coat Spray is applied first — sprayed onto the vertical edges and substrate before asphalt is laid, to bond the new material to the existing surface. Instaband ECO is applied last — heat-bonded around the perimeter of the completed repair at the surface, to seal the road joint and prevent progressive fretting. Together: bond underneath, seal on top.

Is a box of 12 rolls available?

Yes. If you're buying Instaband ECO regularly or for a team, a box of 12 rolls is available and offers the best value for contractors and maintenance teams.

What products should I use alongside Instaband ECO?

Instaband ECO works as the final step in the full Ultracrete reinstatement system. Use SCJ first to seal the vertical edges before laying asphalt, then lay IRR 6mm for paths, IRR 10mm for roads, or PPR for drives. Once compacted, apply Instaband ECO around the repair perimeter to complete the seal.

For further information or to speak to a member of our team, call: ☎️ 0330 122 1025

• Brand: Instarmac
• SKU: TPE-INSTABND
• Weight: 1.0 kg / 2.2 lb