Bitumen replacement: Frankfurt Airport is testing asphalt made from cashew shells

Frankfurt Airport is testing an innovative and sustainable asphalt on its apron. The bitumen binding agent required for this is made from cashew shell oil instead of petroleum, as the operator Fraport AG announced. The biogenic raw material from the manufacturer B2Square is significantly more durable and significantly improves the carbon footprint compared to conventional bitumen.

Fraport is initially testing the new material on the apron in a 200-meter-long dead end. This is conventionally covered on one side and equipped with the new cashew asphalt on the other, which is more expensive to purchase. Both sides are subjected to equal loads from vehicles entering and leaving and are to be inspected regularly over the next two years. The airport aims to achieve CO2-free operations on the ground by 2045.

Cashews are mainly produced in tropical regions. The raw material Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) can be obtained from the poisonous shells.