Bio-Bitumen

Context

Union minister for road transport and highways inaugurated Asia’s first highway with a bio-bitumen blended surface.

About Bio-Bitumen

• A sustainable alternative to petroleum-based bitumen (asphalt) for road construction.
• Composition: Made from non-petroleum-based renewable resources like vegetable oils or synthetic polymers.
• Advantages
  • Sustainable:
    • Generated from renewable materials rather than finite petroleum resources.
  • Low Carbon Footprint:
    • Organic materials used in production absorb carbon dioxide, reducing environmental impact.
  • Improved Environmental Performance:
    • Contains fewer heavy metals and hazardous pollutants, making it less toxic to the environment.
  • Versatile Applications:
  • Usable in road paving, roofing, and waterproofing projects.
• What is Bitumen
  • A dense, highly viscous, petroleum-based hydrocarbon.
  • Can occur naturally (oil sands, pitch lakes) or as a residue from the distillation of crude oil.
• Uses:
  • Commonly used in road construction, roofing, and insulation.

Source: TH

Previous Year Question

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint?

1. Copper slag
2. Cold mix asphalt technology
3. Geotextiles
4. Hot mix asphalt technology
5. Portland cement

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 4 and 5 only
(d) 1 and 5 only

Answer: (a)