Puma Bitumen is implementing biogenic materials to further increase the sustainability of its environmentally friendly solutions. Puma and customer Boral explain how this Australian-first product could help to accelerate change across the industry.
For years, Puma Bitumen has been heavily involved in the research and development of bitumen solutions across the globe. This has led to the procurement of products that are now considered standard across the roads and infrastructure sectors.
The company continues to innovate, with an even greater focus on sustainable sourcing and supply. This expertise is what led to the development of Puma bitumen’s newest sustainable binder.
Erik Denneman, Global Technical Manager – Puma Bitumen, says CARBONBIND bituminous binders contain biogenic materials (plant grown components), some grades can also include waste tyre-derived rubber.
“Three years ago, we decided that all our future research and development had to be focused on ‘what do our binders look like in 2030? What do they look like in 2050? And how do we get on the path towards net zero emissions?’
“With CARBONBIND I’m very excited because it’s the first time that we, as an industry, can see a clear path to get [to net zero],” he says.
Puma Bitumen’s CARBONBIND is the first bio-based asphalt and sprayed seal binder in Australia.
The product has been specifically designed to reduce the overall carbon footprint of bitumen, as well as asphalt products that contain it. So much so, that Denneman refers to CARBONBIND as a “carbon sink”.
Incorporating biogenic materials means carbon can be captured and stored in road pavements. This is achieved by extracting biogenic materials from plants that capture carbon dioxide. These materials are also sustainably and ethically sourced.
“Only about 15 per cent biogenic material is required to make bitumen carbon neutral and about 25 per cent for polymer modified binder,” Denneman says. “This is already technically feasible, and the industry can follow the path opened by CARBONBIND to develop and demonstrate next generation technology that makes net zero a commercial reality.”
Products such as CARBONBIND, combined with Puma Bitumen’s sustainable processes, help to minimise carbon emissions throughout the entire supply chain.
“CARBONBIND is an economically viable and meaningful solution to reduce the carbon footprint of flexible pavements, while maintaining equivalent or better long-term performance,” Denneman says.
Developing innovation
Development of CARBONBIND was completed in Puma Bitumen’s research and development facility in Melbourne, the Puma Global Bitumen Technology Centre.
This facility has supported the development of several products under Puma Bitumen’s sustainable binder range.
Denneman says Puma Bitumen is proud to have introduced an Australian-first product that was also developed locally.
“The majority of my career has been focused on taking technology from overseas and implementing it in Australia,” he says. “But here we’re doing this in reverse. It’s fantastic to be in that space where we can share some of the great work that we’re doing with the rest of the world.
“It’s changing the narrative.”
Domestic development has also let to a range of CARBONBIND asphalt and sprayed seal grades satisfying Austroads PMB specifications. These requirements outline standards associated with materials used in sprayed sealing and asphalt applications.
Satisfying these requirements also means that contractors don’t need to make changes to their equipment, processes or designs before using the product.
“Our customers in Australia have been very supportive,” Denneman says. “Customers are willing to invest and understand that this is a journey. If no one is going to support that first step, no company is going to truly invest in a great idea.
“It’s important to understand that this technology isn’t just something that you switch on by 2050. If you want to be net zero, you must have a pathway to get there.”
Phil Chirnside, General Manager for Australia – Puma Bitumen says the company has put significant focus on its research and development into creating a product for the future.
“When it comes to research and development in the biogenic materials space, we have identified this as probably the most exciting bridge between legacy technology and the low carbon, high performing binders of the future. The time and effort we dedicate to this research reflects our belief in its future value to our industry,” Chirnside says.
“For Puma, this encompasses not only safeguarding our position as a preferred supplier of high-quality bitumen well into the future, but doing so to the highest degree of corporate social responsibility with current and future generations in mind.
“These ambitions extend to supporting our customers to achieve their sustainability goals. We believe CARBONBIND is our most exciting development to date, which plays a truly meaningful role in delivering on these objectives.”
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- Puma Bitumen: Going above and beyond
- Puma Bitumen’s carbon capturer
- Puma Bitumen’s approach to carbon-neutrality
Eye-to-eye
One company that has been a keen supporter of CARBONBIND is Boral, the largest vertically integrated construction materials provider in Australia.
Just like Puma Bitumen, Boral’s operations are engrained in sustainability. Both companies share ambitious net zero targets and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint wherever possible.
Which is why CARBONBIND’s potential sustainability benefits attracted Boral.
Rob McGuire, National Sales Manager, Asphalt – Boral says the relationship between Boral and Puma has been decades in the making.
“Puma is a key supplier of bitumen to Boral,” he says. “They come with international experience and a global perspective, given their coverage across the world.
“There’s a long history and a deep technical connection. We’ve been key partners for just about as long as Boral’s been in existence.”
Carl Topp, National Technical Manager, Asphalt – Boral says both companies share a similar philosophy, particularly when it comes to quality and sustainability.
“We align very well in terms of our desire to provide not only an innovative product, but also a high quality one,” Topp says.
“We take a lot of pride in the quality of our work, as well as the products that we supply. We also work very closely with their technical team. There are some striking similarities in terms of collaborating to reach a high-quality outcome.”
Chirnside says the strength of the partnership lies in a commitment to serve the industry.
“Boral has been a loyal user of Puma’s binders since we entered the Australian market. They have a strong pedigree and reputation as an organisation that fulfils its craft to the highest standards. Their passion and commitment to innovation, ongoing improvement, and sustainability mirrors that of Puma,” Chirnside says.
McGuire agrees.
“We’ve got a shared vision around collective improvement to both our businesses,” he says. “We’ve got a balanced approach, from technical, health and safety, environmental sustainability, and some innovation along the way.
“That’s why we’ve got such a mutual respect for each other and are aiming for the same outcomes.”
This is what drove Boral’s initial interest in the CARBONBIND PMB (Polymer Modified Bitumen) product.
The first use
Boral engaged Puma towards the end of its development cycle of CARBONBIND, inquiring about the potential use of the product.
For Boral one of the standout qualities of the product, on top of its sustainability benefits, was that it had been developed locally. As McGuire explains.
“There’s a lot more options nowadays to bring these products to the fore and have them green lit for road use. Previously this wasn’t as easy, it’s changing the cultural approach to what we’re doing,” he says.
Topp says the CARBONBIND marks the first time that Boral has used a product that combines both recycled components and bio-genic materials. He says that such a product is clearing a pathway for use and development of materials that wasn’t previously possible.
“A lot of that now is a change to approach, there’s more confidence in the people who are developing these products and putting in the time and effort,” Topp says. “[Puma] are delivering this successfully.”
Topp adds that another standout feature of the CARBONBIND is its ability to be implemented into existing processes and requirements.
“It’s been very well developed by Puma with a mindset of having a product that could fit into current specifications,” he says.
“That’s certainly a big thing, it’s probably viewed as lower risk for stakeholders. Really the biggest benefit is the assistance it gives in terms of sustainability and carbon reduction.”
Boral and their subsidiary company Allen’s Asphalt have utilised CARBONBIND on five sites across Southeast Queensland to date for their main customers. When it comes to performance, Topp says the product performs at least equivalent to conventional materials and products.
“It’s the same but different. It’s a different product, but I think that’s what the beauty of it is. It behaves and is delivered very consistently to that of a conventional treatment,” Topp says.
“There’s nothing significant that we have to change in terms of process or application. That’s a big tick for us.”
Topp says these works have received positive feedback from clients, as well as the crews using CARBONBIND.
“There can sometimes be a perception around new products, but there’s been no concerns,” he says. “It’s all been positive feedback so far. Everything operationally has been great, and our customers have been very supportive of the reasons why we’re using the product.”
McGuire says he can tell Puma considered a variety of factors when developing CARBONBIND.
“We haven’t had any issues with fuming or smells and those kinds of intangibles,” he says. “Credit to Puma, they’re very much aware and conscious of considerations for a product like this.”
Boral is conducting performance-based testing in field installations for the product. Topp says early indications point towards CARBONBIND potentially becoming a standard application for industry.
“Longer term, I can see this product being the standard selection for all projects where PMB’s are specified. It ticks several boxes,” he says. “The future’s very bright.”
This article was originally published in the August edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.