ICL offers novel asphalt additive concept

Chemical giant ICL is now promoting Poly Posphoric Acid (PPA) in Europe, presenting it to FIRM13. PPA can be added to bitumen by itself or with polymers and has been used in the US for 35 years, becoming more popular in the last 15. “This is related to the recognition that PPA can safely bring bitumen quality to within specifications and the demonstrated synergies in polymer modified bitumen,” said René Maldonado, manager technical development at ICL Performance Products. “PPA is now being used by sever
August 23, 2013 Read time: 2 mins

Chemical giant ICL is now promoting Poly Posphoric Acid (PPA) in Europe, presenting it to FIRM13. PPA can be added to bitumen by itself or with polymers and has been used in the US for 35 years, becoming more popular in the last 15.

“This is related to the recognition that PPA can safely bring bitumen quality to within specifications and the demonstrated synergies in polymer modified bitumen,” said René Maldonado, manager technical development at ICL Performance Products. “PPA is now being used by several of the major European bitumen producers.”

7457 ICL, which started its push into Europe two years ago, believes that the time is right for Europe. As high bitumen grades become more difficult to source, PPA could be used as a modifier for standard bitumen to improve performance. “Unlike many other modifiers, PPA improves high temperature performance with no negative effect on low temperature,” said Maldonado.

And as specifications become more performance-oriented, polymer modified bitumen will also be more widely used; PPA can improve the performance and the cost of these materials.

“In combination with SBS polymers, PPA has a significant effect,” said Maldonado.  “The product is both superior and less expensive.  Addition of PPA to bitumen allows for a decrease in the content of SBS polymers without a sacrifice of the properties.”

ICL has been conducting studies in Germany at the Baustofflabor, Hamburg and the Technical University of Braunschweig to counter any concerns about PPA. Tests at the Baustofflabor demonstrated that PPA does not cause accelerated ageing or a catalytic effect, according to ICL.

PPA is corrosive to mild steel and carbon steel and so must be handled accordingly. But once it has been mixed into bitumen in low doses, no corrosive effect is seen, according to ICL.

In addition to its research programmes in Europe, ICL has formed alliances with DynamicSales in Hamburg and RCC Partners in Italy. “We will be looking to collaborate in field trials where PPA benefits could be demonstrated over a period of years under a wide range of environmental and traffic conditions,” said Maldonado.
Materials

For more information on companies in this article

ICL

Related Content

  • Innovative advances in warm Mix Asphalts
    February 1, 2013
    Rising energy costs and increased awareness of safety and environmental issues have encouraged the development of Warm Mix Asphalts (WMA), which are typically produced at temperatures of between 130°C and 145°C, compared with around 175°C for traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). WMAs are regularly used in many European countries, as well as both North and South America. The three most common ways to lower the working temperature of asphalt are: a) foaming technologies; b) wax additives; and c) chemical (surfa
    Read More
  • Eurasphalt & Eurobitume 2016 Congress calls for better communication
    August 5, 2016
    The bitumen industry needs to learn how to communicate with road owners, road users, and communities. This was one of the underlying themes to emerge from the Eurasphalt & Eurobitume 2016 Congress, held in the Czech capital Prague in June. Kristina Smith was there.
    Read More
  • Clever approach to reducing bridge vibrations
    November 14, 2013
    Reducing vibrations on a bridge, supplying high-quality binders to emerging countries and helping small and medium players with warm mix, this month’s stories showcase some innovative bitumen technology solutions - Kristina Smith reports The Kessock Bridge in the Highlands of Scotland has become the third bridge in the UK to be resurfaced with Gussasphalt. A dense mastic asphalt containing Nynas Endura N5, a polymer modified binder, Gussasphalt has been designed to have a longer life than standard mastic as
    Read More
  • Innovative low temperature asphalt and aggregate options and advances
    May 16, 2014
    Studies show the asphalt sector has options for materials use that can lower costs and emissions, as well as increasing the use of recycling One study in the UK led by the Carbon Trust and Lafarge Tarmac has found that low temperature asphalt (LTA) could be used as an alternative to conventional asphalt on roads. Conventional asphalt is made when aggregates and bitumen are bound together at temperatures of between 180ºC-190ºC. However, the trial found that the alternative is able to bond road materia
    Read More

Highlighted Content