In Järfälla a municipality close to Stockholm in Sweden, Peab Asfalt is paving another test section with lignin on Viksjöleden road. It can be used to partially replace oil-based bitumen, with significant environmental and technical benefits. Source: Timberbiz
In addition to the environmental benefits of lignin, Peab Asfalt also expects a positive climate effect from biomass being bound into the asphalt.
Peab said that it has been working with different types of lignin for a few years and it is important to trial it in real production.
Last year the company performed its first test surfaces with lignin and now it is moving forward with developing the concept.
“It feels very exciting and important to have this cross-industry collaboration and to work closely with our customers to develop a climate-improved and more durable asphalt pavement. We are pleased that we can put this test stretch in place and contribute to Järfälla municipality meeting its environmental goals,” said Lars Jansson, laboratory manager, Peab Asfalt.
The test section was paved with ECO-Asphalt where the binder is now partially replaced by lignin. The lignin used in this test section is supplied by Stora Enso. ECO-Asphalt has been used in Järfälla for five years. The asphalt plant uses renewable fuel (bio-oil) for drying and heating the stone material (ballast).
“Now Järfälla municipality is helping to take another step towards climate-improved asphalt as we use asphalt with lignin as a binder for the first time and thereby reduce the amount of bitumen which is a fossil-based product,” said Lars Liljeholm, street engineer, Järfälla municipality.
Stora Enso’s lignin has also been tested in other asphalt projects with good results.
