At Sacyr, we have just turned another challenge into a success. We have finished the very first stretch of a highway in Spain paved with a sustainable asphalt. To do that we have employed rubber powder from used tires using RARx technology. Additionally, in the CV-35’s expansion (Valencian Community, Spain) we have installed low-consumption lighting with our own technology and have used state-of-the-art machinery.
RARx is a technological and ecological additive, developed and manufactured by CIRTEC, a company owned by Valoriza Medioambiente. 60% of its composition is made from used tire powder and allows for its direct use in the asphalt plant. This results in better roadbed durability and reduction of acoustic contamination and provides an environmentally friendly solution to unused tires.
“This technology has the advantage of easy application and allows for the use of normal manufacturing and application mediums, like any other mixture”, comments Jaime Merino, construction site manager.
New conglomerate plant and pavers
Apart from the novel asphalt mixture, a new plant for conglomerate manufacture and new asphalting machines for paving.
As 2,000 tons in manufacturing are exceeded in most fabrication days, the initial estimate stay-time on the construction site has been reduce. This has allowed to guarantee the completion of the deadline agreed with the client.
The new paving machine allows to apply the mixture in a 10.5-meter width, avoiding junctions. A better solution compared to using two parallel extending machines as this option provides better surface finish and durability.
Innovation in lighting
To light the highway, we have used LED highway illumination with our own optical design by Sacyr (Iohnic), specifically tailored for this project.
In the design and manufacturing process of this road lighting thanks we have implemented polycarbonate lenses that maximize the opening of the light beam, thanks to which we achieve optimal uniformity values that at the same time increase stability and lifetime.
An example of collaboration between divisions
“This achieved milestone is not only important because it is a real example of circular economy application, but also for the collaboration among multiple Sacyr divisions, all of them which played a fundamental role: the concessionaire and long-term operator, Sacyr Concesiones, the constructor, Sacyr Infrastructures and CIRTEC, the RARx manufacturer”, explains Miguel Angel Sanz, responsible of CIRTEC.