Bio-based road surfaces with a lower carbon footprint

Challenge:

Road construction is energy-intensive, and asphalt, in particular, can not be produced without oil refining. At the same time, asphalt is expensive to produce, energy-intensive, and not climate-friendly. Asphalt and the oil in it therefore needed an alternative that could reduce CO2 emissions, make it fossil-free, and cheaper in materials.

Solution:

In this knowledge bridge project, the partners explored a new innovative approach to the production of road pavement using sawdust and crushed asphalt. In addition, they investigated whether the structure-forming and adhesive properties of fungal organisms could be developed to bind road particles together.

The use of fungal organisms had the potential to significantly lower the CO2 emissions and material costs of road construction as it was based on biogenic materials.

Impact:

Although asphalt could be recycled, in Denmark only about 30% of new asphalt was recycled. As this was a completely new material and a whole new way of thinking about road surfaces, the project expected to identify a number of challenges in terms of current standards and norms in this area.

In the short term, the goal was to create alternatives for less demanding installations, while in a longer perspective, the project aimed at the broad application for road construction and replacement of asphalt.

Other partners:

• Lolland Savværk
• Fatto A Mano Furniture
• Munck Asphalt