The asphalt industry across Europe is shifting toward Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) to reduce emissions and energy consumption, enhance sustainability, and improve worker safety - driven by both voluntary initiatives and regulatory frameworks.

In Germany, the sector is preparing for a major transition to 100% WMA in response to new workplace exposure limits taking effect in 2027. In the Netherlands, the industry already began a voluntary transition away from conventional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) in 2025, with the ambition of moving towards full adoption of WMA over time. Meanwhile, in countries such as France, the UK, and Norway, the asphalt industry is also voluntarily adopting WMA to meet sustainability, energy efficiency, and procurement goals – accelerating the shift to lower-temperature asphalt across the continent. 

Why use Warm Asphalt Mix?

• Reduces asphalt production and paving temperatures 
• Cuts energy consumption in the typical range of 10-25%
• Reduces emissions of vapors/aerosols
• Improves worker safety
• Allows superior workability and longer paving window
• Ensures complete coating and reliable density for optimal asphalt performance
  
   

Features and Benefits of Addipave™ WM 23

• Homogeneous, low viscosity liquid additive, easy to store and handle
• Allows 20-40 °C temperature reduction while facilitating compaction
• 90% renewable carbon with low Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
• No odor, no hazard classification
• Improves adhesion and water stripping resistance (ITSR test)
• Reduces caking on equipment in mixing and paving; easy handling
• Enhances elastic properties for PmB binders – a unique feature
• Facilitates the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) 

Tested, Validated, and Made in Germany

Addipave™ WM 23 has been thoroughly tested in both laboratory and field trials, consistently delivering required density and compaction at 20-40 °C lower temperatures.

Gyratory Compactor Lab Studies

Independent testing conducted by a U.S.-based, AASHTO-accredited laboratory in accordance with AASHTO R 35 (Section X2.8.3) confirmed the effectiveness of Addipave™ WM 23 as a warm mix asphalt additive. Using Superpave gyratory compaction, Addipave™ WM 23 enabled asphalt mixtures to achieve target density at reduced compaction temperatures (30 °F lower in each case) while maintaining excellent compactibility. When used with Polymer Modified Bitumen (PG 76-22), Addipave™ WM 23 showed particularly strong performance, delivering up to a 12% improvement in workability. These results demonstrate that Addipave™ WM 23 can facilitate lower-temperature compaction without compromising mixture performance, supporting improved constructability and energy efficiency in asphalt paving operations.

Key testing conditions: 

• Aggregate: 12. 5 mm NMAS Georgia Granite
• Binder: PG 67-22 (unmodified) and PG 76-22 (PMB)
• RAP content:20%
• Mixing temperature: PG67-22 - 152 °C (305 °F ) and PG 76-22 -163 °C (350 °F)

Marshall Compactor Lab Studies

The chart below demonstrates the performance of Addipave™ WM 23 in lab studies via Marshall compactor with 30% RAP. As temperature drops, the density of the asphalt mixture increases, thanks to the softening and lubricating effects brought by Addipave™ WM 23. The density reached a plateau at 115-135 °C, compared with 135-150 °C for conventional HMA. This is the optimal temperature range in which maximum density is achieved without damaging the binder or causing ‘tenderness’.

Road paving trials

Addipave™ WM 23 was also tested in multiple field trials in Germany for both local road and Autobahn (e.g., Autobahnanschlussstelle A5 Walldorf/Wiesloch) at a dosage range of 0.4-0.6%. The binder layer (AC 16 BS SG 10/40-65 with 0.5–0.6% Addipave™ WM 23) was paved overnight at unusually low ambient temperatures of 8–10°C, followed by the top layer (AC 11 D SP 10/40-65 A with 0.4% Addipave™ WM 23) placed during the day at 10–16°C. Despite a 30% RAP content and production temperatures ranging from 145–160°C, the project demonstrated outstanding workability and reliability. Throughout the trial, the mix showed no caking at the paver or plant, and paving operations remained smooth with reduced rolling effort, even under tight schedules and cold conditions. Target density was achieved in both layers, confirmed directly on-site using a non-destructive density probe, underscoring the material’s strong performance, consistency, and reliability.