In Sweden, Kumla municipality has taken a step toward a greener future by initiating an effort to reduce the climate footprint of municipal road- and street resurfacing projects across the value chain – from asphalt production to the completed surface – encompassing asphalt delivery trucks and laying machinery.
The project in Kumla, surfacing a new pedestrian- and cycle path, is being carried out in collaboration with the asphalt unit of Sweden’s international construction and civil engineering major Skanska Group in which Skanska’s premium low-climate-impact asphalt – “Asfalt Zero” – is key.
It feels extra good to test this innovative asphalt in a pedestrian and cycle path project given our sustainability goals, said Jörgen Svensson, Department of Roadworks at Kumla municpality.
Rolling out Asfalt Zero
Now available nationwide, Skanska’s Asfalt Zero contains up to 70 percent recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), and tall pitch oil, a biogenic binder that replaces a portion of the conventional fossil binder, bitumen.
Bitumen, a residual product from crude oil refining, accounts for a large share of traditional asphalt’s climate emissions.
Tall pitch oil on the other hand is refined from tall oil, a biogenic by-product from the pulp and paper industry.
Near-zero contract
The Asfalt Zero used in Kumla is produced in the nearby Dalaberget asphalt plant using wood powder to power the process and it contains a high share of RAP and tall pitch oil.
However, for this project, Kumla municipality strove to reduce the climate footprint further – from asphalt production to the completed pedestrian- and cycle path – encompassing asphalt delivery trucks and laying machinery.
By combining vehicles and machinery powered by renewable diesel (HVO100) with electric-powered equipment, we can achieve an almost completely fossil-free contract. We are delighted that the municipality of Kumla chose Asfalt Zero and that we can contribute to the municipality’s ambitious sustainability goals, said Mattias Dahlstedt, Project Manager at Skanska.
A step closer to sustainability goals
Like its peers, Kumla strives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the municipality boundary.
Infrastructure investments make up a significant part of the municipality’s emissions. Thus by choosing low-climate-impact materials and processes, Kumla hopes to reduce its climate impact further.
Through this project, we want to show that communal infrastructure investments, such as a foot- and bicycle path, can be done in a more sustainable way. We reduce emissions through the choice of materials and machines, commented Hanna Richter, Sustainability Manager at Kumla.
The new foot- and cycle path contributes to other sustainability goals, such as reduced noise exposure, increased public health, and a more sustainable use of resources.
This project is a good example of how we can achieve our sustainability goals through collaboration with external actors. It is when we work together around good ideas and initiatives that we achieve the best results, ended Hanna Richter.
