Materials

Recycled asphalt use is growing in some markets - David Arminas writes. The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in the US increased during 2013 after two years of no rise, according the latest report from the US National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). The report found that more than 73 million tonnes of reclaimed asphalt pavement and 1.7 million tons of reclaimed asphalt roofing shingles were used in new asphalt pavement mixes in the US during in 2013. Using recycled asphalt material saved about $2 bill

While demand in some parts of Asia is strong, other countries such as China have been suffering from oversupply - World Highways reported from the Argus Asia-Pacific and Middle East Bitumen Conference in Singapore. Asia overtook the Americas as the world’s largest consumer of bitumen in 2012, with China accounting for the lion’s share – nearly two-thirds – of consumption. However, attendees at the Argus Asia-Pacific and Middle East Bitumen Conference held in Singapore on 24th-26th September last year heard

Russia needs polymer-modified bitumen; the UK is embracing US-style pavement preservation technology and gearing up to import more bitumen; and Italy prepares to export innovative modifying technology; plus a look at the market in Asia Pacific and the Middle East – Kristina Smith reports. The Total Group has announced two recent deals which underline the changing bitumen market around the world. In Moscow, it is constructing a new type of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) plant in joint venture with Gazprom Ne

Italian firm Marcantonini has had significant results in delivering concrete batching equipment and concrete distribution technology to the concrete production segment in Romania. These fully insulated plants have met tough requirements with regard to output as well as sustainability. The firm says that its plants are designed to high standards to ensure the production of high quality concrete while optimising efficiency. The plants are said to offer functionality, practicality, ease of maintenance and low

A study on the use of a brine sprayer on the A8 Autobahn in Germany has yielded valuable data - *Jo Rommeswinkel writes. Since 2007, Autobahnplus Services (a+S) has been providing the operation and maintenance services on the 52km concession Autobahn A8 between Munich and Augsburg in Bavaria, a region renowned for its severe winter maintenance conditions. The Munich Augsburg section comprises 48km of six-lane dual carriageway and 4km of four-lane dual carriageway. Part of the road surface consists of low-no

Road sweepings and gully waste could be recycled, diverting it away from landfill reports *Peter Craven. Highway authorities across Europe have been stockpiling millions of tonnes of rock salt and grit which is destined to be spread onto the road network during the winter months in order to keep them clear. But according to Craven, road sweepings and general gully waste provide a ready source of these materials, as well as delivering significant environmental and financial savings. Road sweepings and gully

The latest figures on asphalt production in Europe, published in November 2014 by the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), show production of asphalt in 2013 was slightly down on 2012 levels in most countries. Figures for hot and warm mix combined show that the total produced in Europe in 2013 was 277.3 million tonnes, down from 276.4 million tonnes in 2012 and 338 million tonnes in 2008 when the global financial crisis began. For most countries, production picked up a little in 2011, only to drop