A new range of storable cold mixes with no volatile organic compounds (VOC)

As part of its endeavour to protect the environment, improve working conditions, promote renewable resources, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Colas has developed high-performance bio-flux agents that can be used in every type of road surfacing. In addition, bio-fluxes have proven to be the perfect choice in the design and manufacture of storable cold mixes, which usually require a heavy dose of oil-based – hence volatile – flux. The use of conventional flux, which is also flammable, leads to the evaporation of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, a potential danger for the people involved and a risk for the environment, not to mention a waste of fossil fuel. Bio-flux agents have a very high flash point (>130°C), thus reducing flammability, an equivalent rise in binder cohesion compared to oil-based fluxed binders thanks to the Colas process, and often provide better solvent properties than oil-based fluxes for the same use. Bio-fluxes offer considerable savings in terms of energy and GHG emissions, and have already been used in a number of projects.