Highways England is accelerating the use of warm mix asphalts as standard across its supply chain as part of a drive toward net zero carbon emissions.
The government-owned company has been using the material since 2015 and a collaborative programme with the supply chain and extensive research now means it can be used freely across the Strategic Road Network (SRN).
Those involved from the supply chain include Balfour Beatty, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Costain, Skanska, Galliford Try, Bam Nuttal, and Osborne.
Previously requiring an application for a departure from standard, Highways England is now asking all those involved in the construction and/or maintenance of the strategic road network, particularly designers and main contractors, to utilise warm mix asphalts (WMAs) as it moves towards net zero.
WMA technologies can offer enhanced efficiencies and lower production carbon, with CO2 savings of up to 15% when compared to conventional hot mix asphalts.
While typical asphalts are produced at up to 190°C, the simple principle behind WMA technologies is to manufacture asphalt at reduced temperatures but with additional additives, thereby using less energy and delivering meaningful carbon savings, without compromising performance.
Produced at temperatures up to 40°C lower than traditional asphalt, if all production in the UK switched to WMAs, it would save around 61,000 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of cutting around 300 million miles of car journeys.
It would also help save up to £70m a year through an increased in shift outputs and can be recycled back into new asphalts, preventing waste. WMAs can be laid using existing equipment and brings other benefits, including:
Malcolm Dare, executive director of commercial and procurement at Highways England, said: “This is a big step forward for Highways England that allows us to not only achieve huge efficiency savings but also reduce carbon as we strive for net zero. Carbon reduction, along with ensuring our roads provide smooth, safe, and efficient journeys for motorists, are key and something we are constantly striving to improve for generations to come.
“That’s why we are altering our way of working to encourage and enable the use of warm mix asphalts as standard across the supply chain, which has efficiency, sustainability, and health and safety benefits whilst not compromising performance."
Paul Gott, project sponsor from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted that we’ve formed a group from across the supply chain who are focused on embedding carbon reduction measures across Highways England’s schemes. Warm mix asphalt is the first carbon efficiency project on the groups extensive carbon reduction plan, which is evolving and already identifies several short, medium and longer-term goals.”
Tim Jordan, project delivery lead from Balfour Beatty added: “We are proud to be working collaboratively with both Highways England and our industry partners to drive meaningful, sustainable change in the supply chain as we work towards a net-zero future.”