A pioneering net zero asphalt has been installed at a new Bellway housing development in what is a world-first for the industry.
Asphalt containing ACLA®, a carbon-negative, aggregate-like additive created by Durham-based company Low Carbon Materials, was laid in a section of road at Monument Meadows in Pelton earlier this month. ACLA is a biochar mineral matrix. The biochar holds carbon in a stable form, while the matrix absorbs carbon dioxide and locks it into the material. Every tonne of ACLA used permanently removes 798kg of CO2e, verified through a third-party Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
ACLA is handled like a conventional aggregate, replacing some of the aggregate in the asphalt mix, and goes into standard asphalt plant with no new machinery needed. It has been widely tried and tested on highways across County Durham, but this is the first time it has been used within a new residential housing development.
Bellway has been working with Low Carbon Materials on this project for the past two years as part of its Climate Transition Plan.
Simon Park, Head of Sustainability for Bellway, said: “We are proud to be working with Low Carbon Materials on what is a world-first for a housing development.
“As a housebuilder based in the North East, we are particularly pleased to be partnering with a company which was founded by research scientists from Durham University, has its base in nearby Seaham – and has now provided net zero asphalt for a stretch of road within one of our developments in County Durham.
“Their ACLA additive is a pioneering product which has already been used for highway projects and locks away carbon with no compromise on the performance of the asphalt.
“Bellway has targeted reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 72 per cent by 2035, and Scope 3 emissions by 67 per cent. This partnership with Low Carbon Materials is a key part of us being ready to adopt future technologies as we move towards these targets and our 2045 net zero goal.”
(Picture: Bellway)
