Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
Czech technology company FUTTEC has developed a solution for repairing holes in asphalt that can be used even in winter conditions and at temperatures as low as -10° Celsius. This allows infrastructure companies to perform asphalt repairs all year round and prevents greater damage to the road surface. The solution features the patented FT-3 microwave patcher central, which heats the road surface, and the FF-9 microwave oven in which the asphalt is heated prior to repair. By using hot asphalt, the repair is much more durable and remains intact for years. Futtec recently demonstrated the technology in Zwolle to a number of infrastructure companies.
Winter conditions in Europe place a heavy burden on road infrastructure. Frost, snow and ice accelerate the formation of cracks and potholes, which not only pose safety risks for road users, but also represent a significant cost item for road operators due to the necessary repairs. Most asphalt plants are closed during the winter period, limiting the availability of standard hot-mix asphalt.
“FUTTEC's microwave technology can be used year-round, regardless of the season or weather conditions,” explained Jiří Rušikvas, founder of FUTTEC, during his visit to the Netherlands. “Even in winter, we can effectively repair potholes while allowing traffic to continue as usual with minimal disruption to motorists. With our technology we achieve long-term repair of the road surface and prevent new damage. The technology has been approved by the Czech government and is already being used in some, Europe countries.”
Conventional winter repair methods often use temporary cold asphalt mixtures or other expensive alternatives. FUTTEC's technology is designed to create a strong and durable bond of the repair asphalt to the existing asphalt surface.
Maintenance teams work with a fully equipped truck that carries all the necessary equipment, including pre-packaged asphalt mixes, which are also supplied by FUTTEC. The asphalt mixtures are prepared on site in the special microwave oven FF-9 heated. At the same time, the damaged part of the road surface is heated using the FT-3 microwave patcher.
Once the pothole is cleaned and prepared, the heated asphalt mixture is applied and compacted. The microwave heating process ensures that the repaired area adheres seamlessly to the surrounding road surface, reducing the risk of weak joints or premature damage. In the Czech Republic, asphalt repairs by FUTTEC have held up for five years.
FUTTEC's patented microwave method offers several practical advantages for municipalities and road maintenance companies:
