The advantages of bitumen emulsions are numerous and benefit users, network managers and the general public. It is therefore an inclusive technology.

The protection of the environment

Asphalt emulsions are used at ambient temperature. Therefore, the corresponding energy expenditure is reduced. This is the case for spraying techniques that do not require heating of the binder; for cold asphalt mixtures, this advantage is emphasized by the fact that the aggregates do not require heating either. These energy savings are naturally accompanied by a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Cold manufacturing generates few potential nuisances. There is indeed no production of smoke, and little or no dust.

Emulsion recycling techniques, in-situ or in a plant, finally make it possible to preserve the aggregates resources and limit the transportation of materials.

Adaptability

The emulsion technique is “universal”, as evidenced by its use in a wide variety of environments: it can be used everywhere, whatever the economic conditions, under any type of climate and almost any type of traffic. It can accommodate with a wide variety of materials.

It finds its place in virtually the entire range of road work techniques and especially of course in everything related to maintenance. This versatility enables network managers and companies to equip themselves with specific equipment and perform a wide range of works..

Asphalt emulsion techniques offer an attractive price / quality ratio, and therefore have their place in all road techniques.

A high tech but proven technique.

Since bitumen emulsion appeared nearly a century ago, manufacturing and processing techniques and equipment have evolved considerably and the technologies used have nothing to envy to those used in many industries.

Some specific advances in the field of bitumen emulsions emphasize the dynamism of the technique: control of the breaking behaviour of the emulsion, polymer modified emulsions, use of dense cold mixes.

Specific Techniques

Some of the emulsion techniques are unique. This is the case for bonding layers, microsurfacing, grave-emulsions and in-place recycling.

The emulsion is particularly essential for the bonding of the different layers, guaranteeing the durability of the road structures..

Health and safety

Asphalt emulsions are non-flammable binders, which is an important advantage for the safety during their storage and transportation.

On construction sites and industrial installations, emissions of dust, fumes and odours are almost irrelevant, as it goes for the risk of burns.

Specific Technical Properties

Formulating an emulsion makes it possible to adapt its characteristics to its use. This is particularly the case of viscosity, a key parameter in spreading application, which allows both a maximum binder-aggregate adhesion while ensuring the cohesion of the residual binder in the long term. In the field of cold mixes, the flexibility of the mixes allows their use on deformable supports without cracking.

Flexibility of use

This specific quality of emulsion techniques is greatly appreciated by users, and for example:

  • Extending the application season of superficial surface dressings,
  • Stockability/Workability of cold mixes,
  • Industrial tools accessible to any type of operator,
  • Territorial availability,
  • Easy access to technology.

Savings

The specific advantages of bitumen emulsions result in a positive economic balance, both for contractors and operators:

  • Proven technology: limitation of the risks of failure and durability of the works,
  • Reduction of bitumen consumption, due to the implementation of thin techniques (SD, microsurfacing),
  • Reduced investment,
  • Reduction of the impact to the environment,
  • Extension of the service life of pavements at an optimized cost