Shell’s new biocomponent binder keeps carbon locked into roads

Shell has launched Shell Bitumen CarbonSink, a new bio-component binder that locks carbon within roads instead of releasing it back into the atmosphere.

The binder locks carbon into asphalt and bitumen, turning roads into technical ‘carbon sinks’. As the asphalt is recyclable, most of this carbon will not re-enter the atmosphere, even at the end of its life. High levels of asphalt recycling ensure that carbon is kept within a circular economy and stored within other applications.

The technical carbon sink created by Shell Bitumen CarbonSink reduces the carbon footprint of one tonne of bitumen by up to 250kg of CO₂ equivalent and the carbon footprint of one tonne of asphalt by up to 13kg of CO₂ equivalent.¹, ² This means up to six tonnes of CO₂ equivalent can be locked in per kilometre of road.³

“This solution is a great example of how innovation can help decarbonise construction and improve circularity at the same time,” said Raman Ojha, Vice President, Shell Construction and Road. “We want to be a partner for change within the construction sector, supporting our customers by providing them with decarbonisation solutions as we work towards confronting construction’s carbon challenge, together.”

As well as removing and storing carbon, Shell Bitumen CarbonSink also helps construction companies to improve the sustainability of their operations by reducing the need for non-renewable resources in asphalt pavement construction.

Shell Bitumen CarbonSink, which has already been deployed in the UK by Aggregate Industries for its SuperLow-Carbon asphalt, is being launched in multiple markets to be used at scale across the global road network.