Announcements

An access road with green asphalt is being constructed at the Rõhu experimental station area of the Estonian University of Life Sciences. In this, bitumen is partially replaced (15-25%) with lignin, an environmentally friendly material produced from wood-based biomass, to reduce the use of fossil materials. Additionally, a rain garden will be built next to the Rõhu Garden parking lot to help regulate the water regime and purify the water.

According to Linnar Pärn, the development manager of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the solutions being created offer learning and research opportunities for students and scientists. The project includes covering approximately 250 meters of road from Aia Street to the existing buildings on the Rõhu experimental station plot with green asphalt, as well as the area near the buildings, totaling approximately 3250 m2. The construction contract was awarded to the road construction company Maveter OÜ, and the total project cost is 200,000 euros.

Linnar Pärn notes that this is a concrete step for the university to reduce its infrastructure-based footprint. "As a university, we want to be leaders and implement more of these innovative solutions and learning objects in our infrastructure development," said Pärn.

In addition to the experimental road construction, a rain garden will be established to reduce the infiltration of harmful substances from the pavement into the groundwater. The rain garden, soil filter, and other nature-based stormwater solutions help mitigate flooding caused by intense short-term rains and add biodiversity to the urban space. The rain garden construction is guided by engineers and scientists from the university's Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Management, who will prepare guidelines for designing nature-based stormwater systems. Measuring precipitation and flow rates at the experimental site allows it to be used by university students for practical experience in water engineering studies and may also interest students from other disciplines.

The green asphalt project was completed in collaboration with the green technology company Fibenol, which produces lignin LIGNOVA™ in its development plant. Fibenol produces lignin from local low-quality wood and wood industry residues using a unique pretreatment technology, Sunburst. The new technology allows for the valorization of wood-based biomass into valuable biomaterials more efficiently, in purer form, and with a lower environmental footprint to replace fossil-based materials and products. The introduction of the new material, lignin LIGNOVA, in various end applications offers a significant opportunity to reduce the footprint of the road construction sector by developing asphalt mixes with a lower environmental footprint while creating durable and sustainable asphalt roads.

Scientists at the Estonian University of Life Sciences conduct ornamental horticulture and vegetable trials at the Rõhu experimental station, which also serves as a practical training base for students. On August 16-17, as part of the major event Tartu - European Capital of Culture 2024, the 69th World Ploughing Championships will take place at Rõhu Garden, along with a large farm food fair. This event reflects the centuries-long continuity of agriculture and is being held in Estonia for the first time. Visitors and spectators will also have the opportunity to explore the environmentally friendly solutions of the new road and area in Rõhu Garden.

Photos and videos of the construction work at Rõhu Garden can be found here: Rõhu 2024 construction – OneDrive (sharepoint.com)

Additional information:

Green asphalt, environmental efficiency in the infrastructure development of the Estonian University of Life Sciences:

Linnar Pärn

Development Manager of the Estonian University of Life Sciences

501 9691

linnar.parn@emu.ee