Toward a fully reusable road

As a connecting factor between oil refiners and customers, Latexfalt purchases bitumen and processes it into systems and solutions for application in various segments, including the infra- sector. The Koudekerk aan den Rijn-based company has formulated three roadmaps for the infrastructure sector with the goal of achieving a fully reusable road. "Technically it is already possible," says Foeke Elzinga of Latexfalt enthusiastically.

Latexfalt operates in various sectors and exports its products to as many as fifty countries worldwide. These include products such as (adhesive layer) emulsions, concrete protection products, wearing courses, et cetera. "Specifically for the infrastructure sector, we distinguish between hot and cold binders," Foeke explains. "A few years ago, we formulated three roadmaps to provide added value as Latexfalt in the infrastructure sector. This involves the joint development of products and systems that contribute to making the infrastructure sector and society as a whole more sustainable."

Better bitumen

The first roadmap deals with the topic of better bitumen. Foeke: "Refineries can extract more and more high-quality products from petroleum. Today's bitumen is no longer the same in terms of composition as it was a few years ago. For a high-quality road surface, it is essential that the quality of the bitumen is constant. We have developed a method to examine bitumen and modify it where necessary with our products, for example to improve stability, restore molecular structure, et cetera."

For a quality road surface, it is essential that the quality of the bitumen be constant.

Lifetime extending maintenance

Rijkswaterstaat launched a competition in 2010 with the goal of developing products to delay road maintenance. "The Netherlands is full of ZOAB and that type of asphalt has a limited shelf life," says Foeke. "One of our products has been validated to postpone asphalt maintenance. The rejuvenating component in our Modimuls ZV emulsion has a proven service life extension of between three and six years."

Horizontal reuse

Finally, the third roadmap focuses on the reuse of old asphalt, completing the circle. "The bitumen properties of old asphalt have changed over the years due to all kinds of influences (Uv, dust, pollution, et cetera). We have developed a 'rejuvenator' to restore the bitumen of old asphalt to its original condition. It allows you to keep reusing the asphalt and also at a lower temperature in the production process. So the knife cuts both ways. The effect of this rejuvenating component, applied in doses, is scientifically substantiated."

By continuously monitoring the quality of bitumen, providing life-extending maintenance and ultimately enabling horizontal reuse, Latexfalt is making a substantial contribution to making the infrastructure sector more sustainable.