Aggregate Industries back calls for low-carbon road surfacing
Aggregate Industries urge local authorities, highways agencies and industry to take a more eco-friendly approach
WITH a recent report from a cross-party group of MPs recommending the use of advanced asphalt technology on UK roads, Aggregate Industries are 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.
This 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, thereby 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 also tackles congestion by ensuring traffic flows more smoothly, which the APPG states will be ‘welcomed by the public’.
Backing the recommendation, Aggregate Industries, who recently launched their own low-temperature asphalt, Superlow, have 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 prioritizes low-carbon processes in all aspects of a project.
Bob Allen, head of research and 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 APPG’s report. It estimates that if all asphalt production in Britain were switched to warm mix, it would save at least 61,000 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, it’s more than just about materials. Clearly, 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.’
As part of their own circular economy initiative, Aggregate Industries used nearly 800,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in 2018, which reduced reliance on imported bitumen and quarried aggregates.
Mr Allen added: ‘The good news is that when it comes to finding a more eco-friendly alternative, in many cases there’s no need to wait for a ‘silver bullet’ solution, as many of the products, practices and technology are already available. It’s just a case of making the most of the latest innovations.
‘After all, with the Government’s 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.’
