Rome, 9 Oct. (Adnkronos) – The topic of Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for road infrastructure, the advantages and opportunities for public administrations, will be at the center of the Asphaltica 2024 event, the international exhibition of the road and asphalt supply chain scheduled at BolognaFiere from 9 to 12 October 2024, where Ecopneus and other experts will discuss the indications and impacts of the new legislation, in force from 21 December 2024, and the advantages that the use of recycled rubber powder in road surfaces can offer, not only in terms of sustainability, but also of economic efficiency and quality of public works.
In the context of the circular economy and sustainable management of materials, the use of recycled rubber powder from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) in asphalt represents an optimal solution, widely tested and used internationally. This technology, promoted by Ecopneus, improves the quality and durability of road surfaces, offering significant advantages for both the environment and public administrations.
Asphalt mixtures modified with the addition of rubber powder, obtained from the recycling of End-of-Life Tyres (ELT), guarantee greater resistance to mechanical stress, better elastic behaviour and a better capacity to absorb deformations, thus reducing cracking and premature wear of the road surface. These improvements translate into a longer life cycle of infrastructures, with a consequent reduction in maintenance costs for public administrations, which must cope with increasingly tight budgets.
But the benefits don't stop there. Asphalts modified with recycled rubber also help reduce noise pollution thanks to the powder's ability to absorb part of the noise generated by vehicular traffic, an advantage that is particularly appreciated in urban areas. The reduction in rolling noise can reach 5 decibels, a value that corresponds to halving the sound energy perceived by the human ear. This aspect is particularly relevant in light of data from the European Environment Agency, which estimates 12.000 premature deaths per year in Europe due to long-term exposure to environmental noise.
Furthermore, the possibility of using a material derived from the recycling of end-of-life tires represents an important contribution to the reduction of environmental impact and CO2 emissions associated with the construction and maintenance of roads, in addition to saving virgin raw materials. This solution is already widely used in countries such as the United States, Austria, Spain and Portugal, where it has amply demonstrated its effectiveness. In Italy, the application is progressively extending, with approximately 900 km of roads built throughout the country.
"The use of recycled rubber powder in asphalt is a solution that combines technical performance with a reduced environmental impact. It is a concrete example of how the circular economy can improve the quality of our infrastructures and, at the same time, contribute to the reduction of waste and the protection of natural resources. Thanks to the collaboration with public administrations, we can build more durable and sustainable roads, offering a real benefit to the entire community", says Giuseppina Carnimeo, general manager of Ecopneus.
The use of this technology allows, in fact, administrations to optimize resources, ensuring more resistant and durable roads, and at the same time contributing to waste reduction and circular economy policies. Furthermore, the adoption of asphalt containing recycled rubber powder falls perfectly within the guidelines promoted by Ministerial Decree no. 279, which defines the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for road infrastructures. A regulatory instrument that directs public procurement towards low environmental impact solutions, thus offering administrations a concrete opportunity to combine efficiency, sustainability and compliance with current regulations.