Reducing emissions
How can we reduce emissions in the road rehabilitation process chain?
Transparent facts and figures for sustainable effects in road rehabilitation. As obvious as it sounds, only what can be measured can be controlled.
What emissions are produced in the road rehabilitation process chain?
If we want to reduce emissions, we first need transparency on where they occur and how they contribute across the entire process. In road rehabilitation, emissions arise throughout a chain of activities — from aggregate extraction and asphalt production at the mixing plant, to transport logistics (on- and off-site) as well as asphalt milling and paving. The largest share of emissions across this process is generated during asphalt production. By comparison, emissions from on-site construction machinery are significantly lower. Nonetheless, they should be assessed in context, as on-site operations are critical for delivering the work and achieving the required quality.
Using a conventional road rehabilitation process as our baseline, we varied key parameters in a model-based scenario analysis to estimate the emissions reduction potential.
The result:
Even small changes can make a difference. We show you how efficiency and decarbonization can be meaningfully combined – practically and effectively.
Where is potential for reducing emissions in the road rehabilitation process chain?
The following options can be used to reduce emissions
Scenario 1: Dry storage of materials
Scenario 2: Paving warm mix asphalt
Scenario 3: Hot recycling in the asphalt mixing plant with 90% RAP*
Scenario 4: Green hydrogen* as fuel in the asphalt mixing plant
Scenario 5: Green hydrogen* and 90% RAP***
Scenario 6: Using in-situ cold recycling*/**
Disclaimer
¹ All results are estimates and may vary depending on all assumed parameters (in particular, without limitation, Length, Width, Courses, Bitumen content in asphalt, Burner Fuel type, distances and used machines). Our estimates are based on a model-based scenario analysis performed internally at the WIRTGEN GROUP that has not been independently verified. For our estimates we compared performance data of WIRTGEN GROUP equipment, computed from the results of our studies, in the various scenarios indicated above. CO₂e emissions values were based on data originating from various industry sources and may vary according to the source, year, and region: