Port of Rotterdam: a bio-based ‘rejuvenator’ returns asphalt to its original specifications
The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Municipality of Rotterdam partnered with KWS Infra and Arizona Chemical to deploy recycled asphalt.
This recycled asphalt, developed by the two firms, can be restored to its original specifications. A bio-based 'rejuvenator', the raw material for which is extracted from by-products of pine trees used in the paper industry, is used to make the asphalt useful again. This type of recycled asphalt was used to construct the sub-base, base course and surface layer of the paving of a bike lane in Rotterdam's Merwe-Vierhavens.
This was the first time that completely recycled asphalt was utilised on its own. The utilisation for the bike lane showcases the potential for this type of asphalt to be used on its own, or associated with non-recycled asphalt.
- By adding a biobased ‘rejuvenator’ produced by Arizona Chemical, the properties of recovered asphalt can be restored to their original specifications, cutting carbon emissions by 27% compared to using virgin asphalt.
- The raw material for this product is obtained from by-products of pine trees used in the paper industry.
- In addition, asphalt that is due to be replaced or that has become redundant is sorted locally and re-used somewhere else in the city.