Durable bitumen and polymers for road construction

The requirements around environmental protection are getting stricter, and regulations on CO2 emissions and recycling of raw materials are increasing. This calls for an active and forward-looking approach. At Latexfalt, a major player in Dutch road construction, they understand this well. "The challenges we face require a change in the way we work," says Anthon Tolboom, general manager of Latexfalt. "We need to see sustainability not only as an obligation, but also as an opportunity for innovation and competitive advantage."

Although Latexfalt still works with fossil bitumen, there is a growing focus on sustainability. The transition to more environmentally friendly materials is a long-term process that requires a complete change in operations and production methods. "The first step is to switch to more environmentally friendly raw materials and reuse old asphalt as much as possible," Anthon said. "Continuing to use large amounts of petroleum for new asphalt is not a sustainable solution. Instead, we need to invest in research into alternative, renewable materials such as bio-based binders and recycled materials. However, these innovations require a lot of time and investment in research and development."

Collaborations

Latexfalt already has its own research and development department, which is crucial for the development of sustainable materials and techniques. "By working with universities, research institutes and other partners in the industry, we actively seek solutions that reduce the environmental impact of road construction," Anthon explains. "Examples include new binders with a lower carbon footprint or better reuse of recycled asphalt. In addition, extending the service life of roads is an important measure to reduce the environmental impact."

Energy consumption

Another challenge is energy consumption in the production process. "We need to focus on reducing energy consumption and switching to renewable energy sources," says Anthon. "One way to do this is to make processes more efficient or improve plants with energy-efficient technologies. At the same time, the energy transition requires cooperation with the government and energy suppliers to gain access to sufficient clean energy. In this area, too, we are happy to take the lead."