Rubber modification of asphalt & bitumen with ROAD+ PREMIXED

AN ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FOR EASY USE
Genan offers rubber modifiers for several purposes. GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED, an elastomeric bitumen and asphalt modifier, and GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED, a rubber modifier for other industrial purposes. Both products are manufactured in compliance with a process patented by Evonik. Ingredients are high-quality rubber powder produced by Genan mixed with 4.3% Vestenamer®, a semicrystalline polyoctenamer produced by Evonik.

Both GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED and GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED are refined development of Genan’s original two-component modifier called ROAD+.
The original ROAD+ was two-component in the sense that it consisted of Genan rubber powder and Vestenamer® – delivered in separate packaging for the asphalt/bitumen supplier to mix at the refinery/ bitumen blending facility (wet processing) or directly in the mixing plant (dry processing).

GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED and GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED are one-component modifiers. High-quality rubber powder from recycled tyres has already been mixed with Vestenamer® pellets and thermically and mechanically dispersed into a uniform, easy-to-handle modifier, simplifying the mixing process for the asphalt/bitumen supplier as well as the rubber compound mixer.

CONSISTENT QUALITY IS KEY FOR PRODUCT PERFORMANCE
It is of great importance for product performance that the rubber powder used is clean and uniform in size. Being the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber powder from end-of-life tyres, Genan has the technology to live up to these requirements. Genan rubber powder is not only consistent in size – but also virtually dust-free.

Read more about GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED and GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED further down this page.

Being a one-component modifier, GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED is an easy-to-handle modifier, simplifying the mixing process for the asphalt/bitumen supplier. GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED is thus far easier and less time-consuming to work with than the original, two-component ROAD+ product.

Laboratory tests and field experience both show that as a rule of thumb, a standard bitumen modified with 10% ROAD+ performs on the same level as or even better than a similar 4% SBS-modified bitumen. When comparing properties, e.g. the ability to prevent rutting and cracking, ROAD+ performs significantly better.

As GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED is a manufacturer-premixed version of ROAD+, properties are the exact same; and test results and field experience for ROAD+ modified asphalt/bitumen thus apply to GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED as well. GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED is just far easier to work with.

Throughout the world, both local and national authorities are now realising that it is good business to use modified asphalt for new road projects. It is cost-efficient both medium- and long-term, as rubber-modified roads are less exposed to both rutting and cracking. This reduces the need for maintenance, which is not only a financial burden, but also a traffic-related problem, as roads must be partly closed during maintenance work.

Asphalt and bitumen modification is thus becoming more and more popular. In several European countries, more than 20% of all bitumen for road construction is now modified. Follow the link below to download statistics published by the European Asphalt Pavement Association.

Traditionally, the most common way to modify bitumen in modern road construction has been to use virgin SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene). It was thus a major breakthrough, when Genan launched ROAD+ as a third generation asphalt and bitumen modifier – based on recycled rubber powder from end-of-life tyres. In respect of both performance and properties, ROAD+ proved equivalent or superior to SBS modifiers. Yet, the environmental gain offered by the use of ROAD+ was probably even more significant. If a product based on ELT rubber powder could gain ground in the market for asphalt and bitumen, the environmental gains would be substantial. Compared to co-incineration, greenhouse gas emissions would be significantly reduced, and the use of fossil fuels would be limited. For further information about environmental aspects, we make reference to Genan’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Study.

NOISE REDUCTION

A study prepared by the WHO (World Health Organization) Regional Office for Europe, quantifies the health risk related to the exposure to noise.

The study shows that in the western part of Europe, the equivalent of one million healthy life years are lost every year due to traffic-related noise. In Europe, noise pollution is thus an environmental risk factor, the scope of which is comparable to air pollution. Not only does exposure to noise cause or contribute to discomfort, stress and sleep disturbance; it may also lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks as well as learning disabilities and tinnitus.

Tests prove that the use of ROAD+ modified asphalt results in a noise reduction of up to 5-6dB compared to conventional asphalt. As a reduction of just 3 dB(A) is perceived by the human ear as comparable to half of the original traffic load, this demonstrates a considerable reduction.

NO COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS RUBBER ASPHALTS
Rubber in asphalt is not a new phenomenon. The concept has been tested on previous occasions – with mixed success. Nevertheless, the properties gained through the use of ROAD+ – and now the improved GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED product – are far superior to those of earlier generations of rubber asphalt. The addition of Vestenamer® in compliance with the Evonik patent makes a world of difference.

Earlier generations of rubber asphalt were sticky, requiring special handling equipment. Asphalt modified with GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED boasts extremely good adhesion to the aggregate – yet, it does not stick to neither tools nor tanks. There is no need to clean tanks and trucks with release agents. No special equipment is needed for the on-site handling of asphalt modified with GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED.

It is of great importance for product performance that the rubber powder used is clean and uniform in size. Being a homogenous mix, GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED secures both easy handling and a reliable outcome. Furthermore, this rubber-modifier is less sensitive to temperature and thus providing more flexibility to the work environment.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rubber powder from end-of-life tyres, Genan has the technology to live up to these requirements. Genan ambient rubber powder is not only consistent in size – but also virtually dust-free.

LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINTS WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS

Another significant advantages of using GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED is a reduction in carbon footprint emissions. By using recycled rubber from worn-out tyres, GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED reduces the need for new rubber production and secures new life for a discarded material.

GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED is thus a more sustainable alternative that preserves natural resources and reduces the impact on our environment – all without compromising performance and durability.

Discover the endless possibilities of GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED and incorporate sustainability without sacrificing quality or functionality. The only limit is your imagination…

WHERE TO USE GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED

GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED can substitute virgin rubber – both natural as well as synthetic – and with it form part as a high-value secondary raw material. This enables GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED to replace Carbon Black as an active filler or to be included in a variety of industrial products and moulded rubber goods.

Applications such as conveyor belts, compounds and bumpers or products for the automotive industry can benefit from the many advantages in this rubber-modifier. GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED also has the ability to integrate with polymers and other rubber products – both natural and synthetic.

RUBBER MODIFIER

A HIGH-QUALITY ELASTOMER MODIFIER FOR BITUMEN, ASPHALT AND RUBBER

GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED

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WHY MODIFY ASPHALT AND BITUMEN?

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WHERE TO USE GENAN ROAD+ PREMIXED

“ROAD+ modified asphalt improves the performance of all types of roads from smaller country roads over heavily trafficked motorways to industrial properties. The use of the ROAD+ system for all these different applications shows the full scale of its elevated technical properties.”

MIGRATION

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EMISSION

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RECYCLABILITY

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GREENHOUSE GAS SAVINGS

NOISE REDUCTION

FLEXIBILITY IN THE FIELD

SUITABLE FOR BOTH WET AND DRY PROCESSING

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GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED

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SUBSTITUTE VIRGIN RUBBER WITH GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED

LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINTS WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS

WHERE TO USE GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED

Granulate

Colour-coated granulate

Powder

RUBBER MODIFIER

Pellets

Steel

Textile