BEAM

BEAM: Bio-binders for Eco-friendly Asphalt Materials

A cSBO project subsidized by VLAIO (HBC.2025. 0595), fully aligned with the MateriNex roadmap Materials for Buidling and Construction.

This project runs from 1 January 2026 to March 31, 2029.

Project aim

BEAM: Bio-binders for ECO-friendly Asphalt Materials

BEAM aims to develop scalable, high-performance bio-based binders derived from lignin for use in low-carbon asphalt pavements. The project focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing circularity in road construction, and supporting sustainable economic growth in Flanders and beyond.

Devleopment Objectives

Objective 1 – Lignin Development

Develop and optimize lignin from local biomass streams for use in bio-based asphalt binders through advanced extraction, modification, and characterization techniques.

Objective 2 – Bio-Binder Performance

Assess the chemo-rheological properties of lignin-modified binders with 10–50% bitumen replacement to achieve performance equal to or better than conventional binders.

Objective 3 – Asphalt Mixture Evaluation

Evaluate the durability and mechanical performance of bio-based asphalt mixtures, including the use of reclaimed asphalt materials.

Objective 4 – Pilot-Scale Demonstration

Scale up lignin bio-binder production and validate pilot-scale asphalt manufacturing and paving processes under realistic conditions.

Objective 5 – Dissemination and Valorisation

Support industry adoption through dissemination, techno-economic assessment, and the development of a roadmap for future large-scale implementation.

Contact information

For more information, contact MateriNex at info [at] materinex.be (info[at]materinex[dot]be) or reach out directly to the BEAM project coordinator Alexandros Margaritas, BRRC