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Researchers at UEM have found a sustainable solution for asphalt, replacing stone dust with sugarcane bagasse ash, improving resistance and reducing costs.
Just imagine driving on more sustainable roads, where the asphalt is not just the traditional one we know, but a mixture that helps the environment and also saves resources? Well, this idea is closer to reality than it seems! A study carried out at the State University of Maringá (UEM), in Paraná, investigated the use of sugarcane bagasse ash to improve asphalt mixtures. And the results were super encouraging! Keep reading to learn all about this asphalt made from sugarcane.
A new alternative to asphalt
It all started with the idea of replacing the famous stone dust, which is one of the traditional components of asphalt, with sugarcane bagasse ash. This residue is generated in large quantities by the sugarcane industry and, until then, did not have a very noble use. But now it could become the new darling of paving. highways!
The test was carried out on a stretch of the BR-158 highway, between Campo Mourão and Maringá, and those who passed by there are already driving on this innovation. And look, this change in materials greatly helped the mechanical performance of the asphalt, that is, it became more resistant and durable, in addition to reducing the need for mineral aggregates.
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Asphalt made from sugarcane combines sustainability, quality and low price
Engineer and researcher Vinícius Hipólito, who led this project, explains that he saw a great opportunity to use this waste to improve the resistance of asphalt. “It is an everyday material in infrastructure, and we need to constantly improve it to optimize our investments,” he says. In other words, asphalt made from sugarcane could be a great way to save money and also improve the quality of our roads.
But sustainability doesn't stop there! In addition to saving on traditional materials, using sugarcane bagasse ash helps reduce the amount of industrial waste, promoting a cycle of reuse that is good for the environment. For those who are looking for sustainable solutions, this is great news.
Innovation tested and approved on Brazilian highways
The results of this experiment did not remain on paper. The research team applied the new asphalt made from sugarcane to the highways, and the evaluation was more than positive. The resistance of the material was proven in practice, and the partial replacement of stone dust with sugarcane ash not only reduced costs, but also brought superior performance.
It is a solution that has everything to be adopted on a large scale, especially on stretches of highways that are essential for the flow of crops, such as in Mato Grosso, where logistics must always be up to date. And with the use of sustainable materials, the paving of these roads can take on a new look.
Benefits not only for highways, but for the environment
The idea of using sugarcane bagasse ash in paving goes far beyond what we imagine. It is not just about reducing costs or reusing waste, but also about promoting a more sustainable infrastructure that is suited to the country's new logistical challenges. Brazilian roads are a key point for the economy, and improving their quality can have a positive impact on several sectors.
In addition, the research by Vinícius Hipólito, who also works at Conasa Infraestrutura, responsible for more than 1.500 kilometers of highways, was published in the international magazine Scientific Reports. This only reinforces the relevance of the discovery and puts Brazil in the spotlight in the search for greener and more efficient solutions for civil construction. The use of asphalt made from sugarcane could be the first step towards a revolution in the way we deal with paving, bringing benefits not only to highways, but also to the environment.
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