History has been made - take a look at Bio Bind a low carbon bitumen replacement

Road Science would like to announce a landmark partnership with the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) for the launch of the first full-scale trial of Bio Bind.

Bio Bind is a cutting-edge, low carbon bitumen replacement, which aims to revolutionise road construction by offering a sustainable, petroleum-free alternative. Bio Bind eliminates the need for petroleum oil-based products and is engineered to serve as a direct substitute for traditional bitumen in road construction. This represents a significant leap forward for carbon reduction in road development.

“More than 70 percent of Bio Bind comes from renewable resources, with a primary component coming from trees. The use of tree-derived oil ensures it’s a renewable and sustainable alternative to conventional bitumen,” says Road Science Head of Product Innovation, Darcy Rogers.

“Two years of dedicated laboratory research and development has gone into developing Bio Bind to be ready for this real-world trial, in partnership with NPDC.”
Bio Bind is now transitioning into the scale-up phase, with NPDC as a valued partner.

Bio Bind is currently available as a binder in various asphalt products, tailored to meet the performance grade requirements set by the New Zealand Transport Agency M1A standards. It has been designed to match the handling, performance, and durability of petroleum-based bitumen in asphalt mixes. It’s an ever-evolving product that will adapt as new raw materials become available. The goal is to create a Bio Bind product sourced entirely from renewable and recycled resources.

NPDC is at the forefront of shaping the sustainable future of New Plymouth District. Road Science's partnership with NPDC aligns with their vision to be “a sustainable lifestyle capital." By developing this low carbon bitumen replacement, Road Science is committed to revolutionising road construction while contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.

NPDC Manager Transport Rui Leitao says the product has been laid on a section of Smart Road, between Colson and Alberta roads, instead of the traditional bitumen-based asphaltic concrete.

“We are a big supporter of innovation and we’re happy to work with Downer on this trial, aligning with our vision of building a sustainable lifestyle capital.
“Bitumen is a key material on New Zealand roads and if we can replace it with a greener product, it’ll be a big step towards reducing the environmental impact of road construction,” says Rui.

The project is part of the New Plymouth Infrastructure Partnership between NPDC and Downer, which encourages innovation in infrastructure maintenance work methods.