Business
Directa Plus and Iterchimica develop Eco Pave
Directa Plus and Iterchimica develop Eco Pave.
About this update from Directa Plus Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 2909X Directa Plus PLC 23 November 2017 \n\n23 November 2017\n \nDirecta Plus plc\n(\"Directa Plus\" or the \"Company\")\n \nDirecta Plus and Iterchimica develop Eco Pave graphene-enhanced asphalt additive\nNew super-additive containing Graphene Plus significantly improves the durability and sustainability of asphalt road surfaces \n \nDirecta Plus plc (AIM: DCTA), a producer and supplier of graphene-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, is pleased to announce its collaboration with Iterchimica S.r.l., an established producer and distributor of specialised additives for asphalt. The collaboration with Iterchimica is focused on developing a graphene-enhanced asphalt additive, which is patent-pending, that can significantly improve the durability and sustainability of asphalt road surfaces. The new additive incorporating the Company's Graphene Plus (G+) has been launched by Iterchimica as Eco Pave. \n \nFollowing the success of laboratory and small-scale trials, Iterchimica will now conduct a pilot test with an asphalt producer where Eco Pave will be used as an additive for asphalt covering several kilometres of road surface. The Company anticipates receiving an initial order for G+ before the year-end for the pilot test. \n \nThe presence of G+ produces a technically-advanced, sustainable additive that significantly enhances the performance of asphalt used for road surfacing. In particular, due to the thermal regulation properties of G+, the asphalt is less susceptible to hardening and cracking in cold temperatures as well as to softening in warm temperatures. It increases the elasticity and strength to reduce the wear, particularly with high loads, which is especially beneficial for maintenance purposes such as repairing potholes. In addition, road surfaces built with asphalt containing Eco Pave will be recyclable with up to 100% of the milled asphalt being repeatedly re-used to build a new pavement, which avoids the landfilling of the exhausted material as well as the extraction of new bitumen. \n \nBased on their research, Iterchimica estimate that the addition of Eco Pave will extend the life of an asphalt road surface from the current average of 6-7 years to 12-14 years. Thanks to the joint R&D process undertaken by Directa Plus and Iterchim...