Eiffage wins the FNTP’s 2022 Grand Prix des Trophées award for use of its Biophalt® solution in the A40 motorway project

The decision to use the product reflects APRR’s desire to curb the environmental footprint of projects on the motorway network it operates. This trial of a low-carbon plant-based asphalt on a concession-operated motorway was a first in France. The carbon-neutral project consisted in the application of 2,000 tonnes of asphalt over a two-kilometre, two-lane section in the MâconGeneva direction in the Vonnas (Ain department) area.

Biophalt®, a plant-based asphalt delivering high technical and environmental performance, was developed in 2018 by Eiffage Route’s research and development teams.
It helps to rise to the challenge of low-carbon road construction by combining several innovations:

• a bio-sourced binder obtained from the timber sector as well as by products of the paper industry replacing all the petroleum-based bitumen traditionally used;
• recycling over 40% of the asphalt aggregates from the existing road surface, which helps to conserve natural resources of new quarry materials;
• lowering the production temperature, which helps to curb energy consumption and carbon emissions.

In 2019, Biophalt® won a prize from the Comité Innovation Routes et Rues (CIRR) as part of a call for innovative projects launched by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. Since then, it has been used in a number of experimental projects for clients keen to test out innovations, with Cerema monitoring them over a 3- to 5-year period.

The Trophées des TP 2022 awards, which spotlight infrastructure technology advancing the energy transition, are held jointly by the FNTP, a French public works trade body, and Le Moniteur, a trade publication. This year’s awards were dedicated to innovations unlocking new decarbonised building methods and infrastructure.

The Grand Prix des Trophées FNTP prize is given out to a major innovation by a public works company that helps to develop and/or industrialise low-carbon materials and processes suitable for projects and the needs of users and clients.