WS.IX

CIRCULAR ASPHALT: SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION

18 September

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

Michela ALFE, CNR-STEMS
Valentina GARGIULO, CNR-STEMS
Pietro CALANDRA, CNR-ISMN
Cesare OLIVIERO ROSSI, University of Calabria

Addressing environmental challenges requires innovative approaches that connect fundamental science with practical applications in sustainable development. The workshop will highlight the role of advanced material characterization and rheological analysis in developing more sustainable asphalt technologies and will discuss the broader implications of integrating waste valorization strategies into road construction and maintenance practices. Bringing together expertise from chemistry, physics, and engineering, the workshop demonstrates how waste valorization can contribute to the production of valuable resources suited for extending pavement service life, improving road safety, reducing maintenance needs, and decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

The first part of the workshop will be devoted to the presentation of the scientific backgrounds, objectives, and outcomes of ReScA project (Recovery of pyrolysis waste from municipal solid waste to enhance and restore asphalt), an interdisciplinary research initiative financed under Progetti di Ricerca @CNR program. The project investigates the innovative use of pyrolysis-derived char and bio-oil as multifunctional additives for bitumens and asphalt mixtures, providing a valuable example of our current research activities in the field of sustainable and circular road materials.

The second part of the workshop will provide an overview on how scientific knowledge can drive innovation at the intersection of environmental protection, resource efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure, contributing to the development of circular and resilient road systems. Particular attention will be given to the importance of a physico-chemical understanding of complex materials such as bitumen and asphalt, synergically integrating concepts from chemistry, physics, and engineering. The discussion will highlight how innovative materials and technologies can improve the durability, functionality, and mechanical performance of asphalt pavements. It will also present cutting-edge strategies that foster the transition toward more sustainable road infrastructure through the integration of waste valorization approaches and circular economy principles into road construction and maintenance practices.