WPB: A collaborative research project between the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany and Eurovia In France officially commenced on February 1, 2025.
Project Objective
The research initiative, known as ANNA (Application of Sustainable Asphalt), is dedicated to discovering alternative materials that can replace traditional bitumen. The ultimate goal is to advance the development of environmentally friendly asphalt and enhance sustainable road construction practices. The project focuses on creating and evaluating innovative asphalt binders derived entirely from reclaimed asphalt and eco-friendly additives sourced from renewable materials. These alternative binders are designed to serve as direct substitutes for conventional asphalt binders while maintaining essential properties such as durability, resistance to ageing, recyclability, and environmental sustainability, including lower emissions and reduced resource consumption.
To achieve this, researchers will conduct extensive laboratory analyses to identify and assess suitable renewable additives. Over the course of three years, viable sustainable alternatives will be selected, incorporated into asphalt formulations, applied in large-scale road trials, and validated through performance assessments such as load testing. The consortium’s core objective is the “development and evaluation of sustainable and climate-friendly bitumen substitutes for asphalt road construction.”
This project is closely connected to NOBIT, a research initiative funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
Project Overview
• Program: Road Innovation Initiative of BASt and BMVI
• Funding Call: “Alternative Binders or Additives for Sustainable Road Construction”
• Funding Institution: Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute (BASt)
• Project Title: Application of Sustainable Asphalt
• Acronym: ANNA
• Duration: February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2028 (36 months)
• Lead Organization: Braunschweig Pavement Engineering Centre (ISBS)
• Project Partner: VINCI Construction Shared Services GmbH (Eurovia)
Work Structure and Key Areas
The research is divided into nine work packages, covering all phases from material selection to large-scale testing and sustainability evaluation:
1. Project Coordination & Management – Overall supervision and organizational tasks.
2. Material Selection & Characterization – Identifying and assessing raw materials for sustainable asphalt binders.
3. Binder Performance Testing – Evaluating the properties of alternative asphalt binders.
4. Mix Design & Laboratory Production – Formulating and producing sustainable asphalt in controlled conditions.
5. Performance Testing of Asphalt – Assessing durability, strength, and environmental impact.
6. Full-Scale Production & Road Trials – Implementing selected asphalt mixtures in real-world test sections.
7. Load Testing & Validation – Analyzing road performance under various conditions.
8. Life Cycle & Sustainability Assessment – Measuring long-term environmental and economic impact.
9. Recommendations & Reporting – Compiling findings and providing industry guidelines.
Project Segmentation
The overall research is divided into two main sub-projects handled by the collaborating institutions:
• TU Braunschweig Sub-Project: Focused on laboratory-based studies for bitumen substitution, covering material analysis, binder testing, asphalt mix design, performance evaluation, and final reporting.
• VINCI Construction Sub-Project: Concentrated on real-world implementation, including large-scale production, field testing, and life cycle assessments.
By integrating scientific research with large-scale application, ANNA aims to drive innovation in sustainable asphalt technology, offering practical solutions for reducing reliance on virgin bitumen and promoting eco-friendly road infrastructure.
By Bitumenmag
Bitumen, Asphalt, Road, Eco-friendly
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