Photo: COWI

Asphalt recycling 

Asphalt recycling saves aggregates and bitumen, and can be engineered to produce slow-ageing mixes that may be superior to products made with virgin materials. Secondary benefits are reduced wear from transport of materials and diminished emissions.

COWI has been involved in recycling projects since 1960. Our pioneering experience and determination to stay at the forefront of developments and innovations in recycling mean that, today, our expertise is difficult to match.

Cost savings

On major road and airport projects, recycling percentages in the order of 80% have been achieved, leading to impressive savings in the order of 20-40% of the cost of traditional pavement solutions. In addition to the lower pavement construction costs, the pavements have significantly extended pavement life. This is achieved through our special expertise on age-hardening of bitumen and recycling agents.

Benefits to society

Benefits to society encompass secondary cost savings as well as environmental benefits: 

  • Reduced wear on roads due to less transport of materials 
  • Less traffic means less accidents on the roads 
  • Non-renewable natural resources such as aggregates and bitumen are preserved 
  • Toxic and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced

Long-term experience

COWI has a 20-plus year of design and implementation expertise in critical issues of asphalt recycling. This includes rejuvenation of aged-bitumen, ageing resistance of bitumen/rejuvenators and recycling of sand-asphalt.