The Industrial University of Santander (UIS) obtained a new patent granted by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), as a result of the work of the Polymer Research Group. It is an innovative process for the creation of a sustainable additive that improves the properties of asphalt and reduces the mixing temperature in road construction processes. This component, of sustainable origin, becomes an environmentally responsible option with great benefits for the country’s road infrastructure sector.
“Our promise as researchers and members of the university is to generate added value that benefits society. This patent goes in that direction: with the production of the additive, it would generate greater employability and a positive impact on the environment. Now, the challenge is to achieve its commercialization. We firmly believe that it should be carried out and that we can play a very important role by getting involved in the manufacturing process on a larger scale”, said Gustavo Emilio Ramírez Caballero, full professor of the School of Chemical Engineering of the UIS.
The creation of this additive arose in response to the need to implement sustainable processes that take advantage of by-products from established industries, such as glycerol, a by-product of the biodiesel industry. In addition, it reduces the negative environmental impact of the paving process by counteracting the use of energy, which also reduces emissions.
“Polymers of synthetic origin have been used in pavements to modify their biological properties, durability and make them more resistant. We saw the opportunity to take advantage of polyglycerol, a by-product of the biodiesel production process, to obtain a more environmentally friendly polymer with which we could improve the properties of asphalts,” said Yuly Fernanda López Contreras, professor at the School of Chemical Engineering.
In this way, the biodiesel industry – by giving a use to glycerol – and the flexible pavement construction sector will benefit. This solution also benefits governmental entities by reducing the costs of road maintenance and repair, and by optimizing public resources allocated to road infrastructure.
The challenge now for UIS researchers is to generate an alliance with a company in the sector that will allow them to advance production on an industrial scale, build test sections, and achieve its commercialization.
“In addition, it is important to make the material and its benefits known to entities such as INVIAS, so that in the future it will be considered within the specification for polymer-modified asphalt cements,” added the researchers.
Once again, the Universidad Industrial de Santander reaffirms its commitment to research at the service of society by delivering an environmentally sustainable solution that reduces the costs of maintenance and construction of road infrastructure, which would allow for more kilometers of paved roads in the country, improving connectivity and quality of life.
Meet the researchers who made this patent possible:
Gustavo Emilio Ramírez Caballero, full professor of the School of Chemical Engineering.
Yuly Fernanda López Contreras, professor at the School of Chemical Engineering.
Ana María Díaz Lasprilla, chemical engineer, she did her master’s degree at the School of Chemical Engineering.
Iván Eliécer Suárez Acelas, chemical engineer, received his master’s degree from the School of Chemical Engineering.
