In this episode we look at how a new plant-based bitumen will be incorporated into asphalt mixtures currently being developed. The hope is that this will allow clients to build roads that act as carbon sinks.

The reduction in carbon by using products like this could play a significant role in helping the UK achieve net zero. The engineers think it might be possible store up to a million tonnes of this renewable biogenic material within the Highways England strategic road network.

A single UK household uses up to 20 tonnes of carbon a year. So using biogenic asphalt in the English road network could save as much carbon as us used by 50,000 homes in one year.

Guests

Bob Allen, Head of Research and Technical Services, Aggregate Industries

Rachel Morgan, Key Account Manager, Shell Bitumen

Richard Taylor, Global Technology Development Manager, Shell Bitumen

Resources

Novel uses of vegetable oil in asphalt mixtures, Dr Helen Bailey, University of East London, 2010, can be read here

PAS 2060 – Carbon Neutrality, can be found here

EN 15804:A2 Sustainability of construction works – Environmental product declarations – Core rules for the product category of construction products, can be read here

asPECT – the Asphalt Pavement Embedded Carbon Tool, can be found here

Partner

With over 100 years’ experience, Shell Bitumen is the world’s leading supplier of bitumen. Their wide range of innovative bitumen products is designed to help meet the challenges of road, roofing and airport sectors, alongside specialty and industrial applications.