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Yesterday, the test asphalt laying work was completed at Reykjanesbraut near Vogaafleggjar. Three different types of asphalt were laid, one with normal asphalt, one with a biobinder that is a byproduct of papermaking, and one with a biobinder that is a vegetable oil.
This is the first time that a bio-binder has been used in this way in asphalt on Icelandic roads. As stated in the announcement, a similar asphalt was previously laid on a sidewalk in Hafnarfjörður with success.
The asphalt was developed by Colas and the experiments were carried out in collaboration with Vegagerðin, whose research funds supported the project.
“These types of biobinders are already used in bitumen in Europe and have been extensively studied in labs,” says Björk Úlfarsdóttir, head of environment, quality and innovation at Colas, who is leading the project. She says that although the biobinders are different, they have one thing in common: they are all carbon negative. “This means that the carbon footprint of the bitumen is 85% less than that of regular bitumen,” says Björk.
In addition to reducing the carbon footprint of the bitumen, the biobinder also softens the bitumen. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain bitumen suitable for Icelandic conditions,” says Bjork. The resource is scarce, and in Iceland, where the climate is warmer, softer bitumen is needed: “So if the test pipeline is successful, we will simultaneously secure future bitumen materials,” says Bjork.
Bjork said all three asphalt mixes laid yesterday will be monitored very closely. “All mixes will be sent to an independent laboratory where they will be thoroughly tested. We will also be closely monitoring the development of the road sections, which will include things like brake resistance and rutting formation.”
Initial results will be released this fall, but progress will be monitored over the next five years, she said.
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