Reclaimed asphalt (RA) is transforming road construction by cutting CO₂ emissions and boosting resource efficiency. Supported by EU climate goals, HSH Chemie helps infrastructure clients achieve low-emission, high-performance results with asphalt rejuvenators.
Reclaimed asphalt is driving circular practices in civil engineering for low-emission, net-zero roads.
As Europe intensifies its commitment to climate neutrality, the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors are undergoing a major shift toward circular, low-emission practices, and construction chemicals. The road to a sustainable future relies on recycled materials. Reclaimed asphalt(RA), the material removed during the resurfacing of old roads, is increasingly reused in new asphalt mixtures. Since over 90% of Europe's roads are built with asphalt, there is potential for carbon savings and material efficiency.
The growing use of reclaimed asphalt reflects broader trends in the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors, where innovation is focused on minimizing environmental impact without compromising structural performance. Initiatives like the EU Green Deal, Fit for 55, and the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) have placed sustainability at the centre of infrastructure development. These policies promote the reuse of materials, lifecycle efficiency, and reductions in embedded carbon, making RA an essential component towards net-zero infrastructure.
According to the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), hitting the 2030 target of a 55% emissions reduction and achieving net-zero infrastructure by 2050 relies on maximizing circular practices. According to EAPA's "Towards Net Zero" roadmap, widespread use of RA can lower lifecycle emissions.
When properly integrated, RA can reduce carbon emissions by up to 12.3% by 2050, even without relying on advanced technologies. This is because RA can replace virgin bitumen and aggregates, significantly cutting the energy use and emissions tied to material extraction and processing. In 2024, the average RA content in European asphalt mixes was 13.2%, with a target of reaching 50% or more by 2050.
Beyond emissions, the benefits of using RA include:
• Decreased landfill waste
• Reduced dependence on non-renewable resources
• Lower transportation energy for materials
• Cost savings for contractors
The true value of RA lies not only in recycling but in combining it with advanced additives that restore and improve the quality of aged materials.
While RA is a promising civil engineering material, it isn't plug-and-play. Over time, the bitumen in reclaimed asphalt oxidizes, becoming brittle and less adhesive. Without proper treatment, high-RA mixtures suffer from cracking, poor workability, and premature failure.
Asphalt rejuvenators are specialty construction chemicals designed to restore aged bitumen, which is key to unlocking RA's potential. These additives improve binder flexibility, adjust viscosity, and re-establish bonding properties between old and new materials. With the right rejuvenator formulation, asphalt mixes can safely incorporate up to 90% RA without compromising performance.
Rejuvenators also enable compatibility with Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), enhancing workability at lower temperatures and further supporting net-zero infrastructure strategies. This dual approach of RA plus rejuvenators is becoming one of the defining trends in the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors across Europe.
Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is more than an energy-saving technology. It helps make high-RA designs a reality. By lowering the production temperature by 20 to 40°C, WMA reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while also minimizing the aging of RA binders during mixing.
When combined with asphalt rejuvenators, WMA technology allows even greater flexibility and sustainability. The EAPA estimates that using WMA could increase CO₂ savings by another 2.2% by 2050. As more contractors adjust their procurement strategies to meet environmental goals, the integration of RA, rejuvenators, and WMA is becoming standard practice in civil engineering materials for road construction.
At the forefront of this transformation is HSH Chemie, a chemical distribution leader of construction chemicals and specialty additives across Europe. We support civil engineering and road construction companies by supplying high-quality asphalt rejuvenators, including bio-based options, advanced warm mix additives, and bitumen emulsifiers and adhesion promoters.
Through our civil engineering materials and industrial performance overview, we support our partners with both cutting-edge formulations and deep chemical distribution expertise across 30+ logistics centres in Europe. Whether you're reformulating mixes to meet climate targets or adjusting for local RA content rules, chemical distributor HSH Chemie helps you stay ahead of the evolving trends in the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors.
Understanding the environmental impact of asphalt requires a lifecycle perspective. According to recent studies, over 80% of asphalt's carbon footprint occurs before it leaves the production facility[1]. This phase, known as cradle-to-gate emissions, includes raw material sourcing, processing, and mixing, which makes it the best opportunity for meaningful CO₂ savings. The average lifecycle emissions of asphalt stand at 65kg CO₂ equivalent per ton, with 53kg CO₂ equivalent per ton generated upstream[1]. By using reclaimed asphalt and rejuvenators, contractors can dramatically reduce emissions where it matters.
Rather than focusing only on how asphalt performs on the road, the industry is now shifting its attention to the materials and processes behind it. Efforts are underway to decarbonize construction chemicals input and production methods in line with industrial performance goals and sustainability mandates.
Europe’s policy landscape is moving quickly to support sustainable construction. These efforts include the EU Green Deal, the Fit for 55 emissions package, Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria, and national road agencies that now classify asphalt as a secondary raw material.
Public tenders are shifting from cost-based bidding to performance-based contracts with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Governments across Europe are incentivizing higher RA content and rewarding innovation in asphalt modifiers and construction chemicals.
Leading reclaimed asphalt producers are updating mix designs, asphalt modifiers, investing in AI-powered process optimization, and turning to chemical wholesalers and chemical distribution partners like HSH Chemie for formulation support.
As we look to 2050, the roadmap for net-zero infrastructure calls for:
• 30% RA and widespread WMA by 2030
• 50% RA use and carbon-neutral binders by 2050
• Adoption of bio-binders, hydrogen energy, and digital mix platforms
• Rollout of AI-optimized asphalt plants under Asphalt 4.0 initiatives
Reaching these goals calls for both innovation and strong partnerships. As one of the most experienced distributors in construction chemicals, HSH Chemie works closely with clients across Europe to test new mix designs, supply sustainable ingredients, and simplify regulatory compliance. We’re helping shape the next wave of trends in the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors by prioritizing sustainable materials and clear emissions reporting.
Europe's path to net zero relies on asphalt modifiers and reclaimed asphalt. With the right formulations, infrastructure contractors can reduce emissions and extend pavement life, all while meeting new environmental requirements.
At HSH Chemie, we believe achieving net-zero infrastructure takes more than just meeting regulations. It takes collaboration. We invite road builders, material formulators, and civil engineers to work with us to push the boundaries of what’s possible with reclaimed asphalt and asphalt rejuvenators. Together, we can shape the future of trends in the road construction and civil engineering materials sectors.
Contact us today to request samples, technical consultations, or explore our RA-enabling portfolio of construction chemicals and civil engineering materials.
[1]European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), "Towards Net Zero – A Decarbonisation Roadmap for the Asphalt Industry," 2024.