Thursday, 06 February 2025
New research from the University of Nottingham is leading the way to generate bio-based road paving materials, as an alternative to fossil fuel-based substances, in support of net zero targets.
To reduce the environmental footprint of road construction and reach these net zero targets, researchers from the University of Nottingham’s Transportation Engineering Centre (NTEC)—led by Professor Gordon Airey, Dr Anand Sreeram, and Yongping Hu—collaborated with Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa from the University of Cambridge to develop methods to effectively characterise sustainable bio-based replacements for fossil fuel-based resources.
Increasing environmental concerns and current net zero targets have led academics to consider the need for alternative, sustainable resources as a replacement for fossil fuel-derived bitumen; the primary material used for road construction.
Bitumen is derived from non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources and has been forecasted that the continuous increase in fossil fuel consumption will ultimately lead to energy shortages.
The team evaluated materials, including bio-additives and bitumen, to assess the performance characteristics of the materials, such as low temperature cracking and long-term durability.
The study demonstrates that solubility science can effectively guide the development and selection of bio-additives for modifying bitumen by filling a gap in existing knowledge and offering useful ideas for creating sustainable and high-quality bio-based bitumen.
The findings indicate that the employed bio-additives enhance low-temperature performance of bitumen by lowering critical temperatures and reducing cracking susceptibility. They also improve fatigue performance by reducing stresses, prolonging fatigue life, and decreasing strain dependency.
Their work highlights the pivotal role of developing science-driven frameworks to shape the next generation of eco-friendly transportation infrastructure, bridging technical innovation with environmental needs.
The transition to sustainable alternatives for traditional bitumen is imminent.
Professor Airey continued: “This research, alongside ongoing initiatives, solidifies Nottingham’s leadership in delivering practical, high-performance solutions for the future of road infrastructure in the UK and around the world.”
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More information is available from Dr Anand Sreeram on Anand.Sreeram@nottingham.ac.uk
Faith Pring - Media Relations Manager
Email: faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 748 4411
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About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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