The municipality of Helmond has started the Netherlands’ first municipal trial of biobased asphalt. The new road surface replaces part of the fossil-based bitumen binder with a biobased alternative. Manufacturers produce this binder from residual streams from forestry, the paper industry and agriculture. As a result, the asphalt reduces CO₂ emissions and lowers the use of non-renewable raw materials.

The trial forms part of CIRCUROAD, a collaboration between public authorities, companies and research organisations hosted by Rijkswaterstaat. Contractors installed the test section on Heikantseweg using AC 11 surf asphalt with 30% reclaimed asphalt granulate. The combination of recycled aggregate and a biobased binder makes the pavement more resource-efficient.

Testing Material Performance

Esha, Latexfalt and BituNed developed the three biobased binders used in the project. Before the municipal trial began, the companies and contractors, including KWS, Boskalis, AsfaltNu and Dura Vermeer, carried out extensive laboratory testing.

The project also builds on earlier field trials. At InnovA58, Rijkswaterstaat’s outdoor living laboratory, the asphalt has remained in good condition after two winters and continues to meet the required performance standards. In addition, CIRCUROAD installed trial sections in the Dutch provinces of Utrecht and Drenthe last year. Helmond now provides the first opportunity to evaluate the material on a municipal road.

During the next five years, researchers will monitor how the asphalt responds to traffic and changing weather conditions. These results will help optimise the material and support future applications.

A Step Towards Fossil-Free Roads

The Netherlands produces around 6.5 million tonnes of asphalt each year for the construction and maintenance of its 136,000 kilometres of roads. The asphalt supply chain generates approximately 565 kilotonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Asphalt production accounts for about 42% of these emissions. Within that process, the extraction and production of fossil-based bitumen creates roughly 80% of the impact.

For that reason, replacing conventional bitumen offers a significant opportunity to reduce emissions. CIRCUROAD plans to test asphalt containing 30% biobased binder until 2031. After that, the programme aims to increase the share gradually and work towards fully fossil-free asphalt by 2050.

The partners chose a phased approach to verify quality, durability and service life before introducing the material on a larger scale. The Helmond trial marks an important milestone because it demonstrates the material under everyday municipal road conditions. The findings will support the wider development of circular and lower-carbon road infrastructure across the Netherlands.

Source: CIRCUROAD
Photo: Bertels