WALTHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An unremarkable parking lot off Rte. 95 in Waltham is the setting for what could be a revolutionary breakthrough in asphalt.
Mass Mobility Hub and Uberbinder are the two companies behind the first-ever U.S. installation of a new 'green' asphalt with potentially huge implications for the environment.
For years scientists and researchers have looked to replace petroleum-based asphalt binders that rely on fossil fuels.
Asphalt causes environmental concerns by generating greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful substances.
It is a significant contributor to air pollution.
Asphalt binders leech potentially harmful compounds into water sources.
Asphalt also has high maintenance costs because it is susceptible to cracking by becoming more brittle over time.
Uberbinder CEO Jett Yang said for the first time they applied a layer of the new green asphalt on a Waltham parking lot that could be the start of an exciting new era in the use of environmentally sound asphalt. "Over a hundred years we have used fossil fuel binders as glue to build, repair, maintain our vast paved road network," he said. "We need to find a sustainable, scalable alternative."
And that's exactly what they believe they have now in a new sulfur-based material for asphalt by creating a new molecule that cuts the impact of greenhouse gases by more than 25 percent.
This new kind of low-carbon asphalt is also more durable.
Jamey Tessler is the executive director of Mass Mobility Hub.
He said this new asphalt is a step forward to changing the world. "Pavement is everywhere, and if we can do it better, and we can do it cleaner, then this is really important. We can really change the world around us."
According to Uberfinder, paved roads stretch 25 million miles. That's to the moon and back, 50 times.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.