Bitumen, being a petroleum product, probably doesn’t bring images of sustainability to mind. But this is set to change, because there is currently a big focus on making bitumen a far eco-friendlier product.
With growing awareness of how finite our natural resources are, increase in raw material costs, ongoing supply chain disruptions, plus decreased access to products from Russia, with Russia being one of the main exporters of petroleum-based bitumen, our need for renewable road solutions is more important than ever.
Bitumen is already a more planet-friendly product than other petroleum products, because it is not burned or used for fuel, so it doesn’t produce emissions. So how can bitumen be improved even further?
There are currently three types of sustainable bitumen:
- Bio-based bitumen
- Recycled Asphalt Pavement (‘RAP’)
- Naturally occurring bitumen
Read on to find out more about the three types.
BIO-BASED BITUMEN
As with many newer, natural substances, bio-based bitumen is largely made from plants. Instead of a petroleum by-product, bio-based bitumen is made of lignin, a plant waste product.
In the Netherlands, they have already built several bio-bitumen-based roads and cycle lanes, which are currently in the monitoring phase to see if they last as long as traditional bitumen surfaces.
Additionally, researchers at Birmingham’s Aston University have discovered that by heating organic parts of household waste to 500c, without oxygen, it creates a thick, sticky substance that is very similar to bitumen, so keep an eye on this development.
RECYCLED ASPHALT PAVEMENT (‘RAP’)
RAP is essentially “old road” recycled and used in a brand new mixture for a new surface. Recycling old asphalt can help significantly reduce the waste of both aggregates and bitumen. Roads created from recycled asphalt and bitumen can lead to better adhesion and increased resistance to moisture damage.
Between 2009-2019, RAP use in asphalt increased from 15.6% to 21.1%, and in 2021, the majority of eco-friendly bitumen usage was in RAP, with its use predicted to rise even further. Germany has reportedly reclaimed up to 90% of asphalt, and many countries are currently aiming to increase the amounts of RAP used in asphalt mixes over the coming years.
RAP can be created in 2 ways:
- Broken up on the spot and reformed into a new road.
- Taken to a plant and worked into a new mixture.
NATURALLY OCCURRING BITUMEN
As we mentioned previously, bio-bitumen is produced from plants. These same plants, once they have decomposed, leave behind bitumen that doesn’t have to be refined or extracted. This is naturally occurring bitumen and is often found in large bodies of water. Bitumen pools on the top of surfaces of lakes, thanks to these plants.
The largest known natural bitumen resource is the Pitch Lake in Trinidad and Tobago.
TEC Container Solutions’s Bitutainer™ is designed to be well-suited to all types of eco-friendly bitumen. We are very excited about the latest developments in this market, and our products contribute to sustainability goals by ensuring minimal amounts go to waste, thanks to the technology that maintains even temperature and features that maximise discharge.
Contact us today to make an enquiry.