Frankfurt Airport Tests Cashew-Based Asphalt

German facility says the new blend is more sustainable.

Ryan Ewing

Wednesday, November 06, 2024 at 11:23 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Frankfurt Airport tests new asphalt. [Credit: Fraport]

Key Takeaways:

Frankfurt Airport is trialing a 200-meter stretch of airfield road made from cashew-based asphalt, a first for any airport, developed by startup B2Square.
This biogenic asphalt, utilizing natural hydrocarbon resin and cashew shell extract, offers significant environmental benefits including a reduced carbon footprint, enhanced durability, CO2 incorporation, and lower energy consumption during application.
The initiative aims to substantially reduce Frankfurt Airport's carbon footprint, with potential for widespread adoption across the apron area if the ongoing two-year performance and durability tests prove successful.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Fraport AG, the operator of Frankfurt Airport (EDDF) in Germany, is kick-starting a new approach to sustainable construction by testing a 200-meter stretch of road on the airfield made from cashew-based asphalt. This material, developed by startup B2Square, is the first of its kind to be used at an airport.

Traditional asphalt is produced from petroleum by-products. In contrast, B2Square’s biogenic asphalt utilizes a natural hydrocarbon resin combined with an organic extract from cashew shells.