Environmental impact & Life-cycle assessment
Ammann integrates sustainability at every stage of asphalt production - from material sourcing and energy use to plant lifecycle and recycling. Through advanced recycling systems, digital optimization, and low-emission technologies, Ammann plants help asphalt producers minimize their environmental footprint while maximizing productivity.
Key emission sources in asphalt production
The primary emission sources in asphalt production include:
Combustion processes in dryers and burners.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during bitumen heating.
Dust and particulates from aggregates and mixing.
Energy consumption related to heat generation and drying.
Ammann addresses these with efficient burners (supporting natural gas, biofuels, hydrogen, wood dust and other CO₂-neutral alternatives) and advanced filtration and air-control systems such as BST (Blue Smoke Treatment) and VRD (VOC Reduction Device), achieving up to 70% emission reduction.
LCA Findings: Energy use & Carbon footprint
Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs) performed on Ammann technologies reveal consistent improvements across energy efficiency and carbon metrics:
Up to 100% RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) reuse with HRT systems - reducing raw material demand and CO₂ emissions.
Ammann Foam technology enables warm-mix production at 110-135°C, lowering fuel consumption and carbon output by up to 30%.
Ammann Drying Expert (ADX) optimizes burner performance via real-time temperature control, saving up to 7% fuel and extending component lifespan.
as1 Control System + Plant Guard provides real-time data on energy consumption, allowing proactive optimization across production cycles.
Together, these technologies enable a smaller carbon footprint per ton of asphalt produced - verified through internal LCA benchmarks and continuous monitoring.
Air quality controls
Ammann plants feature multi-stage filtration systems, enclosed conveyors, and precise air-flow management to maintain compliance with international air-quality standards.
Key technologies:
BST: captures and reuses vapors from bitumen handling, reducing visible emissions.
VRD: treats up to 100,000 m³/h of exhaust fumes and cuts VOCs by up to 70%.
Energy-saving burners, available across all plant models.
All systems integrate seamlessly with the as1 Control System, ensuring full visibility and reporting for regulatory compliance.
Best practices to reduce emissions
Ammann promotes a combination of technology, training, and digital oversight to ensure emission reductions across the plant lifecycle:
1. Maximize RAP content with RAH systems to reduce virgin material use.
2. Adopt CO₂-neutral fuels such as hydrogen, wood dust, or bio-oil in Ammann burners.
3. Implement warm-mix asphalt production using Ammann Foam to cut fuel use and emissions.
4. Leverage Plant Guard Condition Monitoring for energy optimization and predictive maintenance.
5. Use Maintenance Manager 4.0 to ensure optimal equipment efficiency and reliability.
Regulatory Landscape & Certifications
Ammann plants are designed to meet or exceed environmental and operational requirements under major global frameworks, including:
EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)
Local emissions thresholds for VOC, CO₂, and particulate matter
Lifecycle data from Ammann’s global operations support ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks, helping customers document reductions in Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
