Biobaserad asfalt för hållbar infrastruktur

Important results from the project

The project has achieved its objective. The main objective was to evaluate the long-term performance of asphalt mixtures containing plant-based bio-oil as a partial replacement to fossil-based bitumen. The impacts of bio-extended bituminous binders on asphalt long-term performance in terms of rutting, crack resistance, water sensitivity have been identified. Life cycle assessment (LCA) showed that the use of plant-based bio-oil can reduce asphalt’s climate impact by biogenic carbon accounting.

Expected long term effects

The project has produced important knowledge about bio-asphalt, where plant-based bio-oil replaced part of the fossil-based bitumen. It is expected that the Swedish Transport Administration, municipalities, and the asphalt industry can use the project results to support reaching climate goals. In the longer term, the results may enable wider introduction of bio-based binders and contribute to climate-neutral asphalt production.

Approach and implementation

The project was coordinated by VTI and carried out together with Skanska, Nynas, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Swedish Transport Administration. It comprised three work packages (WP): laboratory studies (WP1), full‑scale testing (WP2) and life‑cycle assessment (LCA) in WP3. Aside from a short delay in the full‑scale phase due to logistics, the work progressed as planned. Collaboration, including with the University of Leeds in UK for WP3, worked smoothly.