02/01/2026
The Bitúmina Project Successfully Concludes, Advancing Cold Asphalt Mixes with Lignin
The R&D&I project Bitúmina, focused on improving the technical performance and environmental sustainability of warm and cold asphalt mixes through the use of chemically modified lignin and oil-based additives, was successfully completed last December after nearly three years of intensive work.
Co-funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) (Ref. IDI-20230575), the project represents a significant milestone for Misturas in its commitment to developing more efficient and environmentally friendly construction materials. Led by Ence, the initiative also involved the collaboration of Cetim and the University of Santiago de Compostela (Integrated Group of Civil Engineering and Geomatics at the EPS in Lugo).
The project’s main objective was to develop cold and warm bituminous mixtures with enhanced technical and environmental performance. This was achieved through the use of bio-bitumens and bituminous emulsions derived from modified Kraft lignin—either chemically treated or blended with vegetable oils—alongside the incorporation of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) to partially replace natural aggregates. The lignin used in the project was supplied by Ence as a by-product of its pulp production process.
In the final quarter of 2025, the newly developed cold bituminous mixtures were tested under real conditions through the construction of a prototype test section at the Chorente industrial park in Allariz (Ourense), near Misturas’ asphalt production facilities. This trial enabled industrial-scale validation of the performance of the new materials. The accompanying photographs illustrate several stages of the construction of this demonstration section, which marked the successful culmination of the Bitúmina project.
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