A Scottish first for Breedon

Breedon use new low-carbon asphalt containing biogenic materials for first time on Scottish network

FOLLOWING successful trials in England of their new low-carbon asphalt incorporating a bitumen containing a biogenic component, Breedon approached Transport Scotland and Amey – the term contractors for the North East – about a trial on the Scotland network of a low-carbon stone-mastic asphalt (SMA) to TS2010 specification.

The lower-carbon asphalt aligns with Transport Scotland’s aim of reducing carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.

Ken McNeil, head of technical at Breedon, said: ‘We carried out a full laboratory evaluation of our TS2010 material using Nypol RE 103 from Nynas and presented these to Transport Scotland prior to seeking approval for use on the Scottish network. We are grateful to both Amey and Transport Scotland for giving us the opportunity to proceed with a live trial.’

The new low-carbon asphalt, part of the new Breedon Balance range of materials, was successfully installed on the Scottish network at the end of January and marks the first time an asphalt containing biogenic materials has been used in Scotland.

The Nypol RE range from Nynas, which incorporates a biogenic component, substantially reduces the carbon footprint of the polymer-modified bitumen compared with a normal polymer binder.