Ever since its release of the SAMIGreen range, the product and SAMI Bitumen Technologies as a company, has been welcomed by the road industry as a positive force focused on sustainability.
Two years ago, SAMI introduced its bio binder range as part of the road industry’s efforts to meet environmental targets. SAMIGreen is an elastomeric polymer modified binder (PMB) with a bio component that can achieve over 60 per cent carbon footprint reduction.
It’s available in both the Austroads elastomeric modified binder range and the crumb rubber modified binder range.
However, not all projects are designed with the budget to incorporate high carbon reduction solutions. Some low-budget projects have a requirement for cost-effective options that still contribute to carbon reduction. As Hamidreza Sahebzamani, PHD, MIEAUST, R&D and Technical Support Manager – SAMI Bitumen Technologies explains.
“To address this need, we’ve developed alternatives to the SAMIGreen range. Continuous research and development at our central laboratory in Sydney have led to the creation of products tailored to meet customer-specified sustainability requirements,” he says.
For example, SAMIGreen A15E LC70 (Deep Green) and SAMIGreen A15E LC30 (Light Green) achieve carbon footprint reductions of 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, compared to the standard A15E, without compromising its technical performance. The availability of these products now allows all projects, regardless of budget constraints, to incorporate carbon reduction measures.
This customisation is a feature across the entire SAMIGreen product line, which includes all elastomeric modified binders suitable for a wide range of asphalt and sprayed sealing applications, such as A10E, A15E, A20E, S25E, S20E, S15E, S15R, and A18R.
“An officially verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is also available for this range, providing transparency and validation of sustainability claims,” Sahebzamani says.
SAMI is committed to ensuring that the new bio-based materials integrated into traditional bituminous materials comply with all safety requirements. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) measures are rigorously upheld, with comprehensive Safety Data Sheets provided for each product.
The SAMIGreen CRUMBflex represents a significant advancement in sustainable construction materials. It offers a range of hybrid-modified biogenic binders suitable for various asphalt and sprayed seal applications. These binders can be tailored to any elastomeric modified grade, addressing diverse project needs.
Depending on the specific grade selected, SAMIGreen CRUMBflex products can achieve a carbon footprint (Global Warming Potential) that is over 60 per cent lower than traditional counterparts, while still meeting national technical specifications.
This innovative binder incorporates biogenic carbon sink material and crumb rubber sourced from local end-of-life tyres, thereby promoting a lower environmental impact and supporting the circular economy by utilising waste materials. Importantly, SAMIGreen CRUMBflex remains safe for crews, just like conventional polymer-modified binders.
“The technical performance of the SAMIGreen range has been thoroughly evaluated over several years. The binders conform to Austroads specifications, and all performance metrics for asphalts made with SAMIGreen have demonstrated high performance levels,” Sahebzamani says.
“Since its introduction in 2023, several successful trials have been conducted, and the acceptance of this binder continues to grow.”
The SAMIGreen range can be tailored to achieve desired carbon footprint reductions, making it a versatile and eco-friendly choice for modern paving projects and for those who care about the future.
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About SAMI Bitumen Technologies
SAMI Bitumen Technologies, established in 1978, has been a pioneer in the Australian roads industry, meeting the market demand for advanced bitumen technology. We pride ourselves on being a reliable company, consistently supplying the full range of high-quality bituminous products for the construction of critical infrastructure such as highways, bridges, runways, and local roads. Our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in our operations, as we continually strive to develop environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to the long-term durability of Australia’s road network.
Our values
Innovation is at the heart of SAMI’s success story. Over the years, we have invested heavily in research and development, pushing the boundaries of bitumen technology to provide cutting-edge solutions to our customers. Our forward-thinking approach enables us to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the road industry, delivering innovative products that enhance the safety and efficiency of road construction and maintenance.
At SAMI, we firmly believe in the intrinsic link between quality and reliability. Our products undergo rigorous testing and adhere to the highest industry standards, ensuring that they meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. As a result, SAMI Bitumen Technologies has earned a reputation as a trusted and dependable supplier in the Australian market, building strong and enduring relationships with our valued clients.
As we move forward, sustainability remains a core focus for SAMI. We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting eco-friendly practices throughout our supply chain. By prioritising sustainable sourcing, production, and distribution methods, we contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of our industry’s environmental impact.
SAMI Bitumen Technologies stands as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, quality, reliability, and resilience in the Australian roads industry. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, we continue to lead the way in providing advanced bitumen solutions that strengthen the infrastructure backbone of Australia while ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Our innovative high-performance products
• SAMIfalt I-Brid: Advanced hybrid-modified bitumen that excels in extreme conditions. Developed with RMIT University, this versatile asphalt binder incorporates innovative polymers for exceptional resistance to deformation and cracking, perfect for demanding Australian roads. It offers excellent workability and compactability, simplifying paving and compaction. Its self-crosslinking abilities ensure durability, surpassing traditional PMB products. With high cohesive strength, it resists crack initiation and propagation in various asphalt mixtures, making it ideal for heavily trafficked areas. The selected polymers also provide resistance to fuel and hydrocarbons, making it suitable for regions prone to leaks. Additionally, it offers exceptional moisture damage resistance for stability in wet environments.
• SAMIBioPrime: SAMIBioPrime is a petroleum solvent-free cationic bitumen emulsion that contains vegetable-derived oil from renewable sources. It quickly penetrates stabilised, bound, or unbound granular compacted base courses, eliminating the need for a curing period and allowing for same-day application of the next layer. This enhances project productivity. SAMIBioPrime is nearly carbon-neutral, reducing the carbon footprint of pavement construction. It is also safe to use, posing no explosion hazards or risks associated with VOCs. It can be used beneath various bituminous layers without causing softening, unlike conventional cutback primers.
• SAMIGreen: Eco-conscious Polymer Modified Binder and emulsion range designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the road industry. By partially substituting petroleum bitumen with a blend of biogenic renewable resources, SAMIGreen minimises reliance on fossil fuel-derived sources, leading to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. This advanced PMB meets rigorous specifications while offering a carbon footprint that is more than 60 per cent lower than conventional correspondent. By integrating renewable and eco-friendly resources, SAMIGreen contributes to the conservation of non-renewable resources and supports the industry’s goal of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint.
• SAMIFloat: Versatile and environmentally friendly high-float emulsion designed for surfacing roads. Its gel-like structure, created with special polymers and additives, enhances binder adhesion and minimises early aggregate loss. Unlike traditional methods, SAMIFloat eliminates the need for petroleum cutters to soften binders before spraying and pre-coating aggregates. It offers a more sustainable solution by requiring lower heating during application. SAMIFloat is a unique cationic high-float emulsion, avoiding logistical issues associated with anionic emulsions. It provides reliable and adaptable spray-sealing binder options with superior performance and durability for various pavement treatments.
• Velofalt: Innovative hybrid polymer modified binder designed for race tracks, offering exceptional performance. Its superior cohesion and adhesion properties provide an unparalleled grip for car tyres, ensuring enhanced safety and confidence for drivers during sharp turns, braking, and accelerating zones. Velofalt effectively prevents aggregate loss, maintaining track integrity. With excellent rutting and fatigue resistance, Velofalt is highly reliable under high-frequency loads, making it an ideal choice for demanding race track conditions.
• Crumbflex: Innovative hybrid polymer-modified binder that prioritises sustainability in pavement construction. By incorporating crumb rubber from end-of-life tires, this binder reduces its carbon footprint by approximately 10 per cent, replacing the need for virgin bitumen. SAMIfalt CRUMBflex adheres to the engineering properties of conventional PMB binders and ensures equivalent performance. Carefully blended additives and polymers guarantee compatibility and excellent storage stability. This eco-friendly binder represents a significant step towards greener infrastructure development, utilising waste materials to create a more sustainable and resilient future for the pavement construction industry.
This article was originally published in the April edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
