Asphalt finds second life on Dutch bicycle paths

The Netherlands – Rotterdam is the first city in the Netherlands where 100% recycled asphalt will be applied in the sub, base and top layer of a bicycle path thanks to a collaboration involving the Port of Rotterdam, major Dutch road constructor KWS Infra and Arizona Chemical of the USA.

Using a bio-based rejuvenator produced by Arizona Chemical, the full properties of recovered asphalt can be restored, it is explained. The raw material for the product is obtained from by-products of pine trees used by the paper industry via biorefining.

The recycled asphalt, meanwhile, is from a local source. KWS, a subsidiary of the Volker Wessels group of companies, is an innovator in the use of recycled materials in road construction. Recently, the company launched a plan to create motorways made of recycled plastics.

Plastic Road consists of 100% recycled material; this prefab construction is lightweight and is hailed as ‘a sustainable alternative’ to the asphalt traditionally used to make motorways.