UK study reveals low temperature asphalt “is viable alternative”

A study led by the Carbon Trust and Lafarge Tarmac has found that a low temperature asphalt (LTA) material could be used as alternative to conventional asphalt on roads. Conventional asphalt is made when aggregates and bitumen are bound together at temperatures of between 180ºC-190ºC. However, the trial found that the alternative is able to bond road materials just as effectively at lower temperatures, meaning that it uses less energy. This has led the project team to put together a set of specifications

Quarry Products / January 29, 2014

A study led by the 3073 Carbon Trust and 7235 Lafarge Tarmac has found that a low temperature asphalt (LTA) material could be used as alternative to conventional asphalt on roads. Conventional asphalt is made when aggregates and bitumen are bound together at temperatures of between 180ºC-190ºC. However, the trial found that the alternative is able to bond road materials just as effectively at lower temperatures, meaning that it uses less energy.

This has led the project team to put together a set of specifications for its use. If the low temperature asphalt market grows to account for 21% of the UK's total asphalt market over the next ten years, it could save an estimated £46.2 million (€55.66 million) and approximately 260,000tonnes of CO2 during the manufacturing process.

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Carbon Trust

Lafarge Tarmac