Circular Roads: Shell Bitumen LT R

TL;DR

Cumbria County Council partners with Hanson Contracting and Shell to trial the use of shell bitumen's low temperature bitumen made from chemically converted waste plastic, reducing CO2 emissions and promoting a circular economy.

Transcript

across the globe waste plastic is a big issue this is a story about how waste plastic can be reused in energy efficient road building while supporting a more sustainable circular economy cumbria county council and other local authorities face the challenges of recycling high volumes of waste plastic and keeping their local roads and highways safe t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Waste plastic is a major global issue. Cumbria County Council faces challenges in recycling waste plastic and maintaining safe roads.
• 🔬 Cumbria County Council joined the Department for Transport's ADEPT live labs program to promote innovation in roads and the circular economy.
• 💰 Cumbria County Council received £1.6 million in funding from the government for the trials.
• 🚧 Cumbria County Council collaborated with Hanson Contracting and Shell to test the use of Shell's low-temperature bitumen made from waste plastic.
• ♻️ Shell's bitumen supports the circular economy and reduces production and paving temperatures, lowering CO2 emissions.
• 🔍 Trials were conducted in diverse locations and conditions to assess the performance of the material.
• 🛣️ If successful, the use of Shell's bitumen could become a long-term solution for repairing and constructing roads in Cumbria.
• 🌱 Hanson Contracting prioritizes sustainability and aims to produce more sustainable products that contribute to the circular economy.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the use of shell bitumen's low temperature bitumen promote a circular economy?

Shell bitumen's low temperature bitumen is made from chemically converted waste plastic, providing a sustainable solution for recycling end-of-life plastic into a useful road material. By incorporating waste plastic into road construction, it reduces the need for virgin materials and promotes a circular economy by keeping plastic waste in circulation and preventing it from entering landfills or polluting the environment.

Q: What are the primary benefits of using shell bitumen's low temperature bitumen?

Shell bitumen's low temperature bitumen offers two key benefits. Firstly, it utilizes waste plastic as an additive, supporting the circular economy and reducing plastic waste. Secondly, it allows asphalt manufacturers to lower their production and paving temperatures, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions and environmental impact. By using this innovative product, road construction and maintenance can be more sustainable and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Q: How are the performance and suitability of the new product being assessed in the trials?

The trials are being conducted in diverse locations in Cumbria, including industrial areas and rural settings. These varied environments allow for the assessment of the new product's performance under different climate conditions and loading scenarios. By monitoring the product's durability and effectiveness over time, the partnership aims to determine its suitability for repairing and constructing roads in Cumbria, potentially paving the way for its long-term integration into road infrastructure projects.

Q: How does this collaboration align with the sustainability goals of Hanson Contracting and Shell?

Sustainability has always been a priority for Hanson Contracting, and their involvement in the trials demonstrates their commitment to producing more sustainable products. By partnering with Cumbria County Council and Shell, they are actively participating in the development of innovative solutions that promote the circular economy and reduce environmental impact. Shell's investment in research and development projects, like the low temperature bitumen, showcases their dedication to finding new and sustainable binder solutions for the market.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cumbria County Council, Hanson Contracting, and Shell collaborate to address waste plastic recycling and road degradation issues.

• The government sponsors adept live labs program, providing funding for innovative road projects, including the use of low temperature bitumen made from waste plastic.

• The partnership aims to reduce CO2 emissions, support circular economy principles, and assess the performance of the new product for long-term road repair and construction.