© photograph from www.uantwerpen.be/rejuvebit
The use of rejuvenators in the production of reclaimed asphalt is not yet known or applied in Belgium. Rejuvenators have the property of changing the composition of the bitumen of the reclaimed asphalt in such a way that the bitumen behaves like a new bitumen. Up to now, the ageing bitumen from the reclaimed asphalt is mixed with new bitumen, usually a softer bitumen, during the production of the asphalt mixtures to counteract this ageing behaviour. However, this method does not take into account the durability properties of the asphalt.
In order to investigate the applicability of rejuvenation agents, the TETRA project REjuveBIT was started. The aim of TETRA projects is to translate available knowledge into validated and immediately usable concepts that meet the needs of and/or offer new market opportunities. The project started on 1 November 2018 and was developed by the University of Antwerp and the Belgian Road Research Centre, with great interest and participation from the road construction sector. To conclude the project, a study day was organised by the University of Antwerp on 28 January 2021.
The objective of this project was to investigate whether the use of rejuvenating agents in the asphalt industry can lead to an increase in the percentage of reclaimed asphalt aggregates. This research is carried out from a technical, economic and environmental point of view. The innovative character has been demonstrated to the sector by means of test beds with new applications (top layers) and increased recycling percentages (base layers).
Thanks to this project, a wide range of test results is now available. A further follow-up of the test beds will lead to even more results, from which further conclusions can be drawn about the applicability of rejuvenation agents in road construction.
