📋 Tender Overview
As a recent report from a cross-party group of MPs recommends using advanced asphalt technology on UK roads Aggregate Industries is urging local authorities highways agencies and the wider industry to take a more eco-friendly approach in all aspects of road surfacing.Earlier this month the All-Party Parliamentary Group APPG on Highways released a report calling for the widespread adoption of warm mix asphalt WMA which despite its environmental safety and performance benefits accounts for just 4 of asphalt production in Britain. The figure is significantly lower than other developed nations including the US where 40 of asphalt is warm mix and France where it stands at 15.As it is laid at lower temperatures than traditional asphalt WMA uses less energy and cools to usable temperatures faster - reducing the length of time roadworks are in operation and cutting CO2 emissions by up to 15. As a result this not only improves productivity for contractors but tackles congestion by ensuring traffic flows more smoothly which the APPG states will be welcomed by the public.Backing the recommendation Aggregate Industries which recently launched its own low temperature asphalt Superlow has stated that while opting for WMA will go a long way in reducing the environmental impact of road construction decision makers also need to take a more holistic approach to sustainability one that prioritises low-carbon processes in all aspects of a project.Bob Allen Head of Research Development and Technical Services at Aggregate Industries said Under the Construction Sector Deal the UK has ambitious targets to halve emissions in the built environment by 2025 and the pressure on the road construction industry to become more environmentally friendly is now greater than ever before.As such local authorities highways agencies and other contractors must take action now firstly by taking heed of the APPGs report. It estimates that if all asphalt production in Britain were switched to warm mix it would save at least 61000 tonnes of CO2 each year - the equivalent of almost 300 million car journeys.However with the report citing red tape and a reluctance to try new ideas as key barriers to WMA adoption its more than just about materials. Clearly then as an industry we still have a huge job to do in incorporating sustainability into all aspects of road construction including investment in cleaner automated road surfacing machinery and greener waste management practices.For instance as part of its circular economy initiative Aggregate Industries used nearly 800000 tonnes of recycled asphalt pavement RAP in 2018 which reduced reliance on imported bitumen and quarried aggregates. The process to produce RAP involves removing old road surfaces reprocessing them to a suitable size and then adding this material into the new asphalt mix to be used as replacement road surface.Bob adds The good news is that when it comes to finding a more eco-friendly alternative in many cases theres no need to wait for a silver bullet solution as many of the products practices and technology are already available. Its just a case of making the most of the latest innovations. After all with the governments recent pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 if we are to successfully transition to a low carbon society we will all need to do our bit.Aggregate Industries market-leading Superlow is a low temperature asphalt enabling quicker more environmentally-friendly project completion. This range of asphalt is mixed at 20C-40C lower than hot mix asphalt while offering the equivalent performance characteristics of hot mix asphalt.
