Market Analysis of Asphalt Mixture Recycling Technology
Market Analysis of Asphalt Mixture Recycling Technology
After a certain period of use, asphalt pavement cannot meet the needs of traffic and must be maintained or repaired. During the maintenance and reconstruction process, a large amount of used asphalt mixture will be generated. These materials still have some useful value. If they cannot be recovered and reused rationally, it will not only waste resources, and increase construction costs, but also pollute the environment. Therefore, from the perspective of cost reduction and environmental protection, the recycling of used asphalt mixture has become a natural necessity for highway construction and development.
Starting from the 1930s in the United States, asphalt mixture recycling technology has been used. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the concept of recycling asphalt pavement continuously improved, and the equipment and processes of recycling were developed. By the early 1990s, the local hot recycling technology had a qualitative leap, and various recycling units and technologies began to be used in the United States and Canada.
China’s highway transportation industry has rapidly developed since the 1990s, and the tasks of city road widening and upgrading have become increasingly significant. At that time, the focus was mainly on construction, and there was little attention paid to maintenance issues. A decade later, today, roads have been damaged to varying degrees. People have realized the importance of maintenance. Because China’s highway construction started late and there was a shortage of technical force reserves, economic foundations were weak, and the climate and environmental conditions were complex. Traffic accidents caused by overloading are common. In addition, some local leaders are eager to achieve quick results and rushed to complete projects, resulting in the poor performance of a considerable number of high-speed highway asphalt pavements. In some cases, even major maintenance has to be faced within the first few years of operation. Therefore, the recycling of used asphalt pavement has been on the agenda. Various organizations and individuals have been organizing people and resources to research and solve relevant technical issues. The government departments have also issued relevant policies to encourage the recycling and utilization of used asphalt mixture.