Aggregate Industries has launched Foamix Eco, a groundbreaking, onsite asphalt material that can achieve carbon-neutral status.
The revolutionary carbon-neutral solution from the UK building materials major contributes to Aggregate Industries' ambitious commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. It also supports the National Highways target of net zero construction by 2040.
The new Eco product builds on the success of Aggregate Industries' Foamix solution, which already delivers a low embodied carbon footprint. The existing Foamix asphalt undertook extensive R&D development, which required close collaboration between Aggregate Industries' biogenic bitumen supplier, Nynas and carbon-negative aggregate supplier, OCO Technology.
This innovative working partnership allowed for the development of Foamix Eco. The cost-effective, high-quality solution incorporates a high percentage of recycled materials and is less reliant on virgin material, helping us achieve a circular economy. It requires less energy in production due to its cold-lay manufacturing process.
The achievement aligns with the commitment to increase the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement by 60% in asphalt products as part of Aggregate Industries' overall drive to achieve net zero before 2050.
Foamix Eco can be manufactured and laid onsite where construction is taking place using Aggregate Industries' Sitebatch Technologies or OCL Regeneration mobile mixing plants, meaning the team can re-process locally sourced planings from the existing road asset – either onsite or at a nearby location – ensuring it can be placed, compacted, and put into immediate use. This significantly minimises HGV movements across the local road network, construction times, and user disruption and delivers a significantly lower scheme carbon footprint. Moreover, Foamix Eco can be laid in one single lift up to 150mm thick using conventional surfacing equipment and laying techniques and does not require any additional specialist labour.
Plus, when using onsite recycling and working closely with the company's supply chain, Aggregate Industries can achieve carbon neutrality across stages A1 - A5 in the building lifecycle. This is a huge step forward for the industry, incorporating both the product and construction stages.
Thomas Edgcumbe, managing director for Surfacing Solutions at Aggregate Industries, said: "After rigorous research and development, coupled with live manufacturing and installation trials in partnership with Lancashire County Council, the new carbon-neutral Foamix Eco is the most sustainable and lowest carbon asphalt construction material to date, and we are delighted to be launching it to market.
"This new addition to our asphalt offering demonstrates our steadfast commitment to leading the construction industry towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future."
Foamix Eco has already been used as part of a trial on the M65 slip road in Lancashire in partnership with Lancashire County Council. The outcome was a high-quality solution which recycled the existing carriageway. Foamix Eco projects will continue to be reviewed individually to ensure a carbon-neutral product can be achieved.
Paul Binks, asset manager of Highways for Lancashire County Council, said: "We're proud to partner with Aggregate Industries to help us reduce the carbon footprint across our road network. Working with a supply chain that takes a proactive approach to developing products and solutions is imperative for local authorities to reach our net-zero targets. Foamix Eco is a great demonstration of this."
This evolution in cold-lay asphalt is set to revolutionise construction projects, enabling a more sustainable approach while maintaining high-quality standards and cost-effectiveness. By adopting carbon-neutral Foamix Eco, construction companies and local authorities can actively contribute to a greener future while meeting their infrastructure needs.
For more information on Foamix Eco, visit www.aggregate.com/Foamix. For more information on Aggregate Industries, visit aggregate.com.
