For many years now, Colas has been taking tangible steps in favour of the environment. In the field of greenhouse gas emissions and recycling, some of the most noteworthy are:

- the Vegeroute line, a range of plant-based products designed as substitutes for oil-based road products (bitumen, paint, fluxing agents, etc.);

- 3 E asphalt mix and low temperature mastic asphalt, two techniques that allow for reductions in manufacturing and application temperatures;

- the recycling of asphalt concrete and construction/deconstruction debris;

 - the "EcoLogiciel" software designed to show clients the impact of the road materials they have chosen on greenhouse gas emissions, and to demonstrate the possibilities offered by technical alternatives.
However, Colas has been witness to the fact that a certain number of paths for progress have been blocked or not sufficiently encouraged. 

 - Alternative technical solutions are very seldom authorised in state-funded road construction contracts in France. Yet For example, the runway reinforcement project at the Toulouse Airport to prepare for the new A380 extra-wide jumbo jet clearly demonstrated that alternative technical solutions can actually lead to savings of more than 60% in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production and application of materials.

- As far as the recycling of hot mix asphalt is concerned, Colas has achieved average figures of over 15% in the United States and Belgium, for example, but has reached a ceiling of 3% in France. The result is a worldwide average of 8%, which helps save 150,000 tonnes of bitumen, i.e. the equivalent of an average sized refinery’s annual production.
Colas, within the framework of the "Grenelle Environnement", has decided to make a commitment to overcome these obstacles, with the support of its clients, both public and private. 

- Starting in 2008, Colas plans to systematically roll out its "EcoLogiciel" software whenever it is possible to tender for a project with alternative technical solutions. For example, by choosing special 3 E asphalt mixes, the resulting 40°C decrease in the manufacturing temperature helps save roughly 30,000 tonnes of fossil fuel (i.e. 100,000 tons of CO2), the equivalent of one year’s worth of heating for 20,000 apartments.

- Colas is also committed to increasing the average rate of recycled asphalt mix in its total production to 10% by 2010, and to 12% by 2012. The first goal will help save 50,000 tonnes of bitumen, which is the equivalent of one-third of an average sized refinery’s annual production.

Contact
Henri MOLLERON, Corporate Environment Director - molleron@siege.colas.fr

About Colas
Colas is a global leader in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, from roads (including bike paths) to airports, ports, railways (East European high-speed train line, as well as tram systems in most of France's cities) and transport networks (mainly gas pipelines, but also oil, electricity, etc.).