Although volatile compounds released from typical hot asphalt used for the production of mineral and asphalt mixtures are not harmful to humans, they are characterized by a specific smell. That is why Budimex and LOTOS Asfalt have produced a mixture with the scent of… Flowers.
Comfort and safety at work is an important element which, if ensured, increases the efficiency and commitment of employees. Comfort means something different to everyone. For employees who work on bituminous works, m.in is important. smell, which is an inseparable element of working with a hot mineral-asphalt mixture.
The 35/50 road bitumen with reduced odour intensity was developed on the basis of a technology developed by LOTOS Asfalt during the implementation of PS 95/35 S industrial bitumen.
According to Cezary Godziuk, President of the Management Board of LOTOS Asfalt: – Our company particularly cares about the natural environment and the comfort of employees, and has been successfully implementing the sustainable development policy for many years through the production, implementation and promotion of innovative ecological products for road construction. We approached the evaluation of the new product based on our experience with asphalt PS 95/35 S. The additive used in asphalt with reduced odour intensity is a mixture of natural and synthetic essential oils and has a pleasant floral aroma.
The compounds contained in the additive used have a two-pronged effect. Most of the active compounds act as an odour neutraliser, reacting with odor-causing substances present in asphalt vapour, as a result of which they reduce their volatility (movement). The remaining compounds cause a characteristic odour, different from typical petroleum bitumen. After the use of an appropriate proportion of active agents, the concentration of malodorous compounds in the fumes of asphalt used at technological temperatures in road construction is reduced.
During the pre-implementation delivery, comparative tests of bitumens and full tests of the product with reduced odour intensity (type tests) were performed. The results confirmed compliance with the PN-EN 12591 standard and no significant differences in the product characteristics were observed.
What were the feelings of employees during the production and installation of MMA with this asphalt – says Sławomir Szpak, Deputy Works Manager from Budimex SA: – Working with a mixture containing asphalt with reduced odour intensity was different, i.e. It was clearly noticeable that there was no characteristic smell of traditional asphalt. In some places you could smell flowers, which made the work more pleasant.
“It is a promising product that is also in line with the green and ecological trend in construction. Currently, tests and laboratory analyses of the mineral and asphalt mixture that contained this special bitumen – says Łukasz Bargenda, director of the Budimex laboratory complex.
“Investment activities beneficial to the environment and sustainable development are at the heart of Budimex’s operations. We implement and encourage the use of low-emission technologies and those that minimize waste generation in the construction process. We care about the natural environment and improving the working conditions of our employees, and the project we are implementing together with LOTOS is an example of such activity – summed up Ewelina Karp-Kręglicka, Director of the Purchasing, Quality and Environmental Protection Office at Budimex.
The first tests of the odourless asphalt mixture were promising. Budimex is considering the introduction of such a solution on a larger scale. We intend to enrich our offer of asphalt mixtures with this product ,” adds Ewelina Karp-Kręglicka.
