The APSE Project developed eco-friendly asphalt pavements to reduce environmental impact in road construction. It focused on replacing traditional bitumen with bio-based binders from renewable sources like vegetable oils and bioethanol by-products, while incorporating high rates of recycled aggregates from construction waste and reclaimed asphalt.
Project Goals
The initiative aimed to cut the carbon footprint of asphalt roads significantly without sacrificing durability. Funded under Europe’s FP7 program, it targeted sustainable materials that perform comparably to conventional ones across their lifecycle.
Key Innovations
- Bio-fluxing agents enabled lower production temperatures and higher recycled content (RAP and C&DW).
- Greener binders nearly fully substituted crude oil-derived bitumen.
- Integrated designs optimized for asphalt plants with minimal equipment changes.
Testing and Results
Lab validation, prototypes in the UK, and full-scale trials in Poland and Spain confirmed structural integrity and surface performance. Lifecycle analysis showed environmental benefits and lifetime cost savings versus standard pavements.
