Eurobitume’s latest Life Cycle Assessment sheds new light on the environmental performance of polymer modified bitumen
Eurobitume, the European Bitumen Association, has published a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantifying the environmental impacts associated with the production of polymer modified bitumen (PMB) in Europe.
Polymer-modified bitumen is a commonly used material in road construction, designed to improve pavement performance, especially under heavy traffic and varying temperatures. By increasing durability and resistance to deformation, PMB can help create longer-lasting road infrastructure. The study, conducted by Sphera for Eurobitume, presents a life-cycle impact assessment of SBS-based PMB produced in refineries representing Eurobitume members across Europe. This LCA for PMB, with a cradle-to-gate scope, seeks to provide environmental data for future products, supporting more consistent environmental comparisons based on a specified functional unit.
The study concentrates on PMB formulations based on SBS, which constitute a significant part of current paving applications. Other types of polymers are excluded. Therefore, it should not be seen as representative of all PMB formulations.
The Life Cycle Assessment addresses two average products representative of current practices in paving applications: a standard PMB (3.5% SBS) and a high-performance PMB (6% SBS). The results are presented in compliance with the standard EN 15804 and include the Global Warming Potential indicators.
“After the publication of our Life Cycle Assessment 4.0 for bitumen, stakeholders requested more information on polymer modified bitumen,” said Brice Delaporte, Sustainability Lead at Eurobitume. “As the European voice of the bitumen industry, Eurobitume commissioned this study to address that knowledge gap and provide robust life cycle data on PMB to support informed discussions on sustainable road infrastructure.”
The report complements Eurobitume’s Life Cycle Assessment 4.0 for Bitumen study and provides additional environmental data for a product that is increasingly used in European road construction.
The full report and executive summary are available for download here:
Additionally, Eurobitume recently ran an educational webinar presenting the results, which attracted over 150 participants from across the sector. A recording of this webinar is now available on Eurobitume’s website here and on Eurobitume’s YouTube channel here.
About Eurobitume
Established in 1969, Eurobitume is the voice of the bitumen industry in Europe and aims to be the first reference for bitumen in Europe.
On behalf of its members, Eurobitume works to educate and promote the efficient, economic, effective, safe and sustainable use of refined bitumen in road, industrial and building applications.
Based on proven data, Eurobitume provides information and guidance on technical, health, safety and environmental matters, supporting best practice across the sector.
Eurobitume also creates a positive image and an adequate regulatory environment for sustained bitumen demand by communicating the product’s benefits to key audiences.
This work is enabled by our network of experts across five committees and Steering Groups, each made up of specialists from member companies and operating through an intensive work programme to deliver guidance and support for members and their customers:
- Bitumen and Sustainability Steering Group (BSSG)
- Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) Committee
- Public Relations and Communications (PRC) Committee
- Safe Handling Sub-Committee (SHBSC)
- Technical Committee
These committees research the scientific and technical issues relating to the handling, application and long-term use of bitumen; produce relevant data for regulators; and provide expert advice and practical guidelines to inform best practice throughout the bitumen industry in Europe.
