journal article·2026-01-08Open access

Sustainable asphalt with bio-binders: a review on materials, processing methods, performance, and practical applications

Seyedrasool Fazeli, Tanner Turben, Mostafa A. Elseifi, Andrew Braham

Abstract

This study presents a detailed review of biomass-derived binders for asphalt pavement applications, focusing on biomass sources, biomass-to-bio-binder processing techniques, bio-asphalt mixture, field performance, and life cycle assessment. Bio-binders produced from various waste sources, including waste oils, animal waste, and agricultural residues, are systematically analysed. Their effects on characteristics of petroleum binders, including rheological, chemical, and thermal properties, are discussed. The review also compares asphalt mixtures using different percentages of bio-binders, evaluating how blending ratios influence the mixture performance characteristics using laboratory tests, including rutting, moisture susceptibility, and fatigue performance. While field applications are still limited, existing studies are evaluated to provide insight into practical feasibility and challenges. Differences in performance between various resources and bio-binder ratios are highlighted, along with critical issues related to compatibility, long-term durability, cost, and environmental trade-offs. This study serves as a benchmark that will guide researchers in using biomass alternatives in sustainable pavement engineering.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Asphalt Pavement Performance Evaluation · Magnesium Oxide Properties and Applications · Smart Materials for Construction

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

University of Arkansas

Louisiana State University

Funding

Southern Plains Transportation Center

References (100+)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.07610.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.04.076 ↗
2. 10.1080/10298436.2020.187011410.1080/10298436.2020.1870114 ↗
3. 10.1080/1029843041233131414610.1080/10298430412331314146 ↗
4. 10.1007/s00397-007-0250-310.1007/s00397-007-0250-3 ↗
5. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.11935710.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119357 ↗
6. Anderson, D. A., Christensen, D. W., Bahia, H. U., Dongre, R., Sharma, M. G., Antle, C. E., & Button, J. (1994). Binder characterization and evaluation, volume 3: Physical characterization. Strategic Highway Research Program, National Research Council.
7. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.06810.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.068 ↗
8. Barnes, H. A., Hutton, J. F., & Walters, K. (1989). An introduction to rheology (Vol. 3). Elsevier.
9. 10.1177/0361198124123618910.1177/03611981241236189 ↗
10. 10.1080/14680629.2007.969008310.1080/14680629.2007.9690083 ↗
11. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.27310.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.273 ↗
12. 10.1016/j.energy.2012.06.00310.1016/j.energy.2012.06.003 ↗
13. 10.1007/s00253-004-1819-810.1007/s00253-004-1819-8 ↗
14. Bridgwater, A., Czernik, S., Diebold, J., Meier, D., Oasmaa, A., Peacocke, C., Piskorz, J., & Radlein, D. (1999). Fast pyrolysis of biomass: A handbook. Birmingham: Aston University.
15. 10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.04810.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.048 ↗
16. 10.1016/j.fuproc.2019.10618010.1016/j.fuproc.2019.106180 ↗
17. 10.1021/ef034067u10.1021/ef034067u ↗
18. 10.1016/0961-9534(94)00058-210.1016/0961-9534(94)00058-2 ↗
19. 10.1016/S0196-8904(00)00137-010.1016/S0196-8904(00)00137-0 ↗
20. 10.1080/0090831060062674710.1080/00908310600626747 ↗
21. 10.1016/j.enconman.2005.11.01410.1016/j.enconman.2005.11.014 ↗
22. 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000473210.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004732 ↗
23. 10.1080/14680629.2018.155373210.1080/14680629.2018.1553732 ↗
24. Elder T. (2010). A computational study of pyrolysis reactions of lignin model compounds.10.1515/hf.2010.086 ↗
25. 10.1016/j.tca.2018.11.01110.1016/j.tca.2018.11.011 ↗
26. 10.3390/buildings1403056710.3390/buildings14030567 ↗
27. 10.1016/j.jaap.2010.02.00610.1016/j.jaap.2010.02.006 ↗
28. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.12298210.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122982 ↗
29. Eurobitume. (2025 March). The Eurobitume life cycle assessment 4.0 for bitumen. ISBN: 978-2-39068-070-3 D/2025/7512/204.
30. Fang, J., Han, Z., Tu, J., & Wu, K. (2019). Study on the rheological properties and regeneration mechanism of biomass heavy oil recycled asphalt. Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society, 38(04), 1024–1029.
31. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.12057510.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120575 ↗
32. Fazeli, S. R., Sahebzamani, H., & Ferdosian, O. (2023). Field evaluation of different rollers effect on the compaction of hot mix asphalt overlays using an electromagnetic densitometer. In M. Crispino & E. Toraldo (Eds.), Roads and airports pavement surface characteristics (pp. 45–53). CRC Press.10.1201/9781003429258-5 ↗
33. Ferry, J. D. (1980). Viscoelastic properties of polymers. John Wiley & Sons.
34. Fini, E. H., & Hajikarimi, P. (2024). Bio-Based and Bio-inspired pavement construction materials. Elsevier.
35. 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000023710.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000237 ↗
36. 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000152510.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001525 ↗
37. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.04810.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.048 ↗
38. 10.1021/ie071497p10.1021/ie071497p ↗
39. 10.3390/app13201141210.3390/app132011412 ↗
40. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.11668410.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116684 ↗
41. Girimath, S., Singh, D., & Rajan, B. (2024, September). Performance evaluation of recycled asphalt mixes composed of waste wood Bio-Oil. In K. Vasconcelos, A. Jiménez del Barco Carrión, E. Chailleux & D. Lo Presti (Eds.), The international workshop on the use of biomaterials in pavements (pp. 57–73). Springer Nature Switzerland.
42. 10.3390/molecules2623715610.3390/molecules26237156 ↗
43. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.11410.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.114 ↗
44. Goring D. A. I. (1989). The lignin paradigm.10.1021/bk-1989-0397.ch001 ↗
45. 10.1016/j.rser.2006.07.01410.1016/j.rser.2006.07.014 ↗
46. 10.1016/S0960-8524(96)00108-310.1016/S0960-8524(96)00108-3 ↗
47. Harvey J. T. Butt A. A. Saboori A. Lozano M. T. Kim C. & Kendall A. (2020). Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Six Strategies for GHG Reduction in Caltrans Operations.
48. 10.1080/10298436.2017.134743410.1080/10298436.2017.1347434 ↗
49. 10.1080/10298436.2016.117556310.1080/10298436.2016.1175563 ↗
50. 10.1021/ef700335k10.1021/ef700335k ↗
51. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.12019310.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120193 ↗
52. International Organization for Standardization. (2018). ISO 14067:2018 : Greenhouse gases Carbon footprint of products Requirements and guidelines for quantification. ISO. ISO 14067:2018 - Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products.
53. ISO. (2006a). 14040. Environmental management – life cycle assessment – principles and framework. 578 235–248.
54. ISO. (2006b). 14044: 2006. Environmental management – life cycle assessment – requirements and guidelines. 1–46.
55. Jawad M. K. (2017). Investigating the efficacy of a bio-based modifier to enhance the rheological properties of bitumen in recycled asphalt shingles (Master's thesis North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University).10.3844/ajeassp.2017.165.174 ↗
56. Jiménez del Barco Carrión, A., Mantalovas, K., Pouget, S., Porot, L., Williams, C., Blanc, J., … Lo Presti, D. (2024, September). Life cycle assessment of bio-reused asphalt pavements. In K. Vasconcelos, A. Jiménez del Barco Carrión, E. Chailleux, & D. Lo Presti (Eds.), The international workshop on the use of biomaterials in pavements (pp. 109–121). Springer Nature Switzerland.
57. 10.1016/j.cis.2008.08.01110.1016/j.cis.2008.08.011 ↗
58. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.20610.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.206 ↗
59. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.13285910.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132859 ↗
60. 10.3390/ma1204060510.3390/ma12040605 ↗
61. Liu Ronghou L. R. (2007). Present situation of biomass fast pyrolysis for bio-oil production.
62. 10.3390/reactions301000910.3390/reactions3010009 ↗
63. Makoundou, C., & Van den Bergh, W. (2024, September). Roadmap toward sustainable practices using biomaterials as alternative pavement materials: Review on research limitations and opportunities. In K. Vasconcelos, A. Jiménez del Barco Carrión, E. Chailleux, & D. Lo Presti (Eds.), The international workshop on the use of biomaterials in pavements (pp. 94–102). Springer Nature Switzerland.
64. 10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00118-310.1016/S0960-8524(01)00118-3 ↗
65. Metwally, M. A. R. M. (2010). Development of non-petroleum binders derived from fast pyrolysis bio-oils for use in flexible pavement. Iowa State University.
66. Millati R. Bakti R. Ariyanto T. Nafi I. Utami R. & Taherzadeh M. (2019). Chapter 1-agricultural industrial municipal and forest wastes: an overview. sustainable resource recovery and zero waste approaches.10.1016/B978-0-444-64200-4.00001-3 ↗
67. 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000071210.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000712 ↗
68. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.19110.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.191 ↗
69. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.14253010.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142530 ↗
70. 10.1021/ef050239710.1021/ef0502397 ↗
71. 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b0500410.1021/acs.jpcc.6b05004 ↗
72. 10.1021/ef700776w10.1021/ef700776w ↗
73. 10.1016/j.trpro.2023.11.42010.1016/j.trpro.2023.11.420 ↗
74. 10.1021/ef040094o10.1021/ef040094o ↗
75. 10.1016/S0960-1481(03)00137-X10.1016/S0960-1481(03)00137-X ↗
76. Onochie, A., Fini, E., Yang, X., Mills-Beale, J., & You, Z. (2013 January). Rheological characterization of nano-particle based bio-modified binder. In Transportation research board 92nd annual meeting (pp. 125–131).
77. 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.10.09010.1016/j.fuel.2017.10.090 ↗
78. 10.1007/s13399-021-01803-410.1007/s13399-021-01803-4 ↗
79. Petersen J. C. (2009). A review of the fundamentals of asphalt oxidation: chemical : physicochemical physical property and durability relationships. Transportation research circular (E-C140).
80. 10.4401/ag-920310.4401/ag-9203 ↗
81. Raman, N. A. A., Hainin, M. R., Hassan, N. A., & Ani, F. N. (2015). A review on the application of bio-oil as an additive for asphalt. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences & Engineering), 72(5), 105–110.
82. Raouf M. A. & Williams R. C. (2009). Determination of pre-treatment procedure required for developing bio-binders from bio-oils. In 2009 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium Iowa Department of Transportation Iowa State University Ames University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
83. Renewable Fuels Association. (2004).
84. 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b0194510.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b01945 ↗
85. Sahebzamani, H., Fazeli, S. R., Mahmoodinia, N., & Mahmoodinia, M. (2023). Laboratory and field evaluation of modified micro-surfacing to improve durability and lowering destructive environmental impacts. In M. Crispino & E. Toraldo (Eds.), Roads and airports pavement surface characteristics (pp. 460–468). CRC Press.10.1201/9781003429258-45 ↗
86. 10.1007/s10098-017-1467-110.1007/s10098-017-1467-1 ↗
87. 10.1016/j.ijin.2021.07.00110.1016/j.ijin.2021.07.001 ↗
88. Schmitt, N., Apfelbacher, A., Jäger, N., Daschner, R., Stenzel, F., & Hornung, A. (2019). Thermo-chemical conversion of biomass and upgrading to biofuel: The thermo-catalytic reforming process–A review. Biofuels,: Bioproducts and Biorefining, 13(3), 822–837.
89. 10.1016/j.indcrop.2005.04.00510.1016/j.indcrop.2005.04.005 ↗
90. Shacat J. Willis R. & Ciavola B. (2024). The carbon footprint of asphalt pavements. SIP-109.
91. 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.04.06910.1016/j.fuel.2017.04.069 ↗
92. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.17310.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.10.173 ↗
93. Tang, S. (2010). Asphalt modification by utilizing bio-oil ESP and tall oil additive. Iowa State University.
94. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2024). Building a resilient biomass supply: a plan to enable the bioeconomy in America.
95. Uzun, B. B., Apaydin-Varol, E., Ateş, F., Özbay, N., & Pütün, A. E. (2010). Synthetic fuel production from tea waste: Characterisation of bio-oil and bio-char. Fuel, 89(1), 176–184. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0016236109004128?via%3Dihub10.1016/j.fuel.2009.08.040 ↗
96. 10.1016/j.biombioe.2007.08.00110.1016/j.biombioe.2007.08.001 ↗
97. Walls, J., & Smith, M. R. (1998). Life-cycle cost analysis in pavement design: Interim technical bulletin (No. FHWA-SA-98-079). Federal Highway Administration.
98. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.03810.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.038 ↗
99. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.12707610.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127076 ↗
100. Williams, R. C., Satrio, J., Rover, M., Brown, R. C., & Teng, S. (2009, January). Utilization of fractionated bio oil in asphalt. In 88th annual meeting of the transportation research board.