Sustainable road construction using processed fats

From Waste to Pavement: How Processed Fats Are Revolutionizing Road Construction

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative additives derived from processed fats are enhancing bitumen, making roads more durable, sustainable, and eco-friendly."

For years, the construction and maintenance of roads have heavily relied on bitumen, a substance derived from crude oil. While effective, traditional bitumen has limitations, including susceptibility to temperature changes and environmental concerns related to its production and longevity. The search for sustainable and cost-effective alternatives has led researchers to explore innovative additives and modifiers that can enhance bitumen's performance and reduce its environmental impact.

In a study published in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, researchers Micha Babiak, Jacek Kosno, Maria Ratajczak, and Krzysztof Zieliński investigated the potential of using processed fats as an innovative additive for bitumen. Their work highlights how processed natural and post-refining fat waste, specifically diamidoamine dehydrate, can modify bitumen to improve its properties. This approach not only enhances the technical characteristics of the road material but also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly construction process.

The study aimed to demonstrate the suitability of processed natural and post-refining fat waste as a bitumen modifier, focusing on how adding technical imidazoline impacts selected bitumen characteristics. By exploring these modifications, the researchers hoped to provide a viable alternative to traditional bitumen modifiers, addressing both performance and environmental concerns.

Why Processed Fats? The Science Behind Sustainable Bitumen Modification

Sustainable road construction using processed fats

The utilization of processed fats as a bitumen modifier stems from the growing need for sustainable and cost-effective alternatives in construction materials. Traditional bitumen modifiers often involve complex polymers and resins, which can be expensive and environmentally taxing to produce. By contrast, processed fats offer a renewable and readily available resource that can be repurposed to enhance bitumen's performance.

The researchers focused on technical imidazoline, a substance derived from processed fats, to modify bitumen samples. Bitumen 160/220, commonly used in waterproofing products, was analyzed. The study involved several key measurements:

Softening Point: Measured using the Ball and Ring method.
Breaking Point: Determined using the Fraass method.
Needle Penetration: Assessed at 25°C to gauge the bitumen's hardness.

These measurements were taken on both base bitumen and bitumen modified with technical imidazoline to determine the impact of the additive. The samples were also aged using the Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) laboratory method to simulate long-term environmental effects and assess the modifier's durability.

The Road Ahead: Future Research and Applications

While the results of this study are promising, the researchers acknowledge that further investigation is needed to fully optimize the use of processed fats in bitumen modification. One identified limitation is the negative impact of imidazolines on the bitumen softening point, which could restrict their use as an independent modifier. Future research will explore hybrid bitumen modifiers that combine the benefits of polymers and imidazoline to achieve superior performance characteristics.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are processed fats, and why are they being used in road construction?

Processed fats, particularly technical imidazoline derived from them, are being explored as additives to modify bitumen, the material used in road construction. This modification aims to improve bitumen's properties, making roads more durable and sustainable. The significance lies in finding alternatives to traditional bitumen modifiers that are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The implication is a move towards greener construction practices by repurposing waste materials.

What are softening point, breaking point and needle penetration measurements, and why are they important in the context of bitumen modification?

The softening point, breaking point, and needle penetration are key properties measured to assess the characteristics of bitumen. The softening point indicates the temperature at which bitumen softens, while the breaking point reveals its brittleness at low temperatures. Needle penetration measures the hardness of the bitumen. These measurements are crucial because they provide insights into how the technical imidazoline impacts bitumen's performance under different conditions, ensuring it meets the necessary standards for road construction. Another test performed to simulate long term environmental effects was Thin Film Oven Test(TFOT) laboratory method.

What is technical imidazoline, and what role does it play in modifying bitumen?

Technical imidazoline is a substance derived from processed fats and is used as a bitumen modifier. It's important because it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional modifiers, potentially reducing environmental impact and cost. However, the study indicates that technical imidazoline might negatively affect the softening point of bitumen. This could limit its use as a standalone modifier, suggesting the need for further research into hybrid modifiers.

What is Bitumen 160/220, and why was it chosen for this study?

Bitumen 160/220 is a specific type of bitumen commonly used in waterproofing products. Its selection for the study is significant because it provides a baseline for comparison when assessing the impact of processed fats on bitumen's properties. This allows researchers to determine how the addition of technical imidazoline affects a commonly used type of bitumen, making the findings more relevant to real-world applications.

What are hybrid bitumen modifiers, and why are they being explored?

Hybrid bitumen modifiers, which combine polymers and imidazoline, are being considered because technical imidazoline has a negative impact on the bitumen softening point. This softening point impact restricts its use as an independent modifier. By combining it with polymers, researchers aim to create a modifier that leverages the benefits of both materials, achieving superior performance characteristics and overcoming the limitations of using imidazoline alone. The implication is the creation of more durable and sustainable roads.