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

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Frankfurt Airport tests new asphalt. [Credit: Fraport]

Key Takeaways:

Frankfurt Airport is trialing a pioneering cashew-based asphalt on its airfield, developed by B2Square, marking the first airport use of such sustainable material.
This innovative asphalt significantly reduces carbon footprint by using cashew shell extract instead of petroleum, incorporates atmospheric CO2, and requires less energy for application due to its low-temperature method.
The initiative aims to enhance durability and reduce the airport's environmental impact, with potential for broader implementation across the apron area if the two-year performance monitoring proves successful.

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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.