Asfaltrecycling

Asfaltrecycling refers to the reuse of asphalt pavement materials removed during road maintenance or reconstruction to produce new asphalt mixtures. The core material is reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), which consists of aged asphalt binder bound to aggregates. RAP can be processed and blended with virgin materials and/or rejuvenating additives to restore workability and performance.

Common on-site and plant-based recycling methods include milling and reusing RAP in new hot mix asphalt (HMA); hot in-place recycling (HIR), where asphalt is heated and re-compacted in place; cold in-place recycling (CIPR), which uses cold asphalt emulsion or foaming methods; and full-depth reclamation (FDR), where the pavement is pulverized and stabilized with binder or cement.

The choice of method depends on project requirements, climate, traffic, and the quality of the RAP. In many designs RAP content in the final mix ranges from roughly 15% to 40% or higher, with rejuvenators or virgin binder added to restore aged binder stiffness and prevent brittleness. Proper processing, including sorting, washing, and controlled heating, helps manage impurities and moisture.

Environmental and economic benefits include reduced use of virgin aggregates and binder, lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, less material sent to landfill, and potential cost savings. Challenges include variability in RAP properties, moisture, aging of binders, and the need for robust quality control, testing, and mix design adjustments.

Asfaltrecycling is supported by standards and guidelines in many jurisdictions to ensure pavement performance while maximizing resource conservation.