"Asphalt recycling and reuse of materials are often associated with prejudices regarding quality. In fact, the quality requirements for asphalt gravel pulp are exactly the same as for virgin pulp. The process has been studied in Finland for a long time and we have it under our control," explains Asfaltti Alfa's site manager Laura Mikkola.
"The importance of asphalt reuse has been emphasized and will become even more important in the future. Asfaltti At Alfa's asphalt station in Forssa, we accept asphalt waste from demolition sites and milling operations, when, for example, old asphalt is leveled. We crush the waste into gravel, which is used again to make asphalt," site manager Laura Mikkola The asphalt from Alfa tells.
For the average road user, asphalt gravel may be a new acquaintance, but it is a lively discussion in the companies of the field and it has been on the agenda for a long time. In the densely populated metropolitan area, companies are drowning in used asphalt, because there is a lot of road renovation work in the area.
"Asfaltti Alfa has permission to receive and utilize asphalt waste in its own production. The use of asphalt gravel substantially reduces carbon dioxide emissions and is a significant eco-deed, because both aggregate and bitumen can be found in the gravel," says Laura.
The used roofing felt was put to good use
During the past couple of years, Laura has worked in a development project in which cooperation has been made with Rebitumen. The company receives e.g. roofing felt waste as raw materials for recycled materials. As a result of joint innovation, Asfaltti Alfa launched the Alfa Green product in 2021. That part of the asphalt mass is CE-marked Rebitumen Classic roofing felt grit, which has the prestigious End of Waste status.
"We've been using Alfa Green in our own test areas and, for example, in the city of Salo's work sites since 2020," says Laura. "We have experience with similar products since 2017."
Primarily, the covering should always be durable and suitable for the target. "Crushing asphalt is a licensed activity, and usage restrictions have been set for it. Recycled asphalt is also not suitable for all roads. On busy roads and streets, stone mastic asphalt, or so-called SMA asphalt, is used as the wear layer material. Recycled materials may not be used in SMA masses", Laura reminds.
Laura's perspectives on the benefits of asphalt reuse
- Nature: Asphalt reuse substantially reduces carbon dioxide emissions, as new stone does not need to be mined or bitumen brought to Finland. Both bitumen and aggregate can be reused from the used asphalt. Landscape and nature values are also preserved when virgin stone is not mined.
- Man: When aggregates are not mined, crushed or transported, noise, vibration and dust harms to nature and the population are reduced. A well-designed, high-quality pavement suitable for the purpose of use extends the lifespan of the pavement, the emissions during the entire life cycle and also reduces the costs for taxpayers.
- Company: In this world situation, reusing asphalt or roofing felt grit is a good thing for companies as well, because costs are constantly rising. In addition, we can meet the emission targets of the entire industry. Hopefully, every company has thought about reducing emissions and emission targets and has already taken action in relation to them.
In a nutshell
Asphalt Alfa was founded in 2013. Its operating area is approximately 150 kilometers from Forssa. The company serves both municipalities and cities as well as companies, farms, housing associations and private individuals in all asphalting work. The company's turnover has been around 4–5 million in recent years. in euros and there are 11 personnel.
More information asfalttialfa.com
Asphalt pavements are mixtures of oil-refined bitumen and aggregate. Asphalt is produced at asphalt plants, where aggregate (base material), bitumen (binder) and the necessary additives are combined. The quality, grain size and grain size distribution of the aggregate also change the surface and durability properties of the asphalt.
The Paving Industry Negotiation Committee, or Pank ry, has created asphalt standards that determine the technical quality requirements of asphalt mass.
In the asphalt industry, it has been studied that the addition of 40 percent recycled asphalt grit reduces the total emissions of the asphalt manufacturing process by 10 percent. If the asphalt mass is made from 40 percent recycled aggregate, and two percent of the bitumen is replaced with roofing felt grit, it reduces total emissions by about 20 percent.
In Finland, the first experimental road pavements were made already in 1984 in Nurme and Herttoniemi in Helsinki.
End of waste (EoW) -status defines the conditions under which a certain waste or waste stream ceases to be waste and can return to the market as a product.