Between 2 and 3 December 2021, the largest biennial international meeting on the construction and maintenance of roads in Slovenia took place in Bled, namely the 18th Colloquium on Asphalts, Bitumen and Pavements. The event, which drew international experts, was organized by the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. More than 250 participants from eight countries (220 in-person) attended the colloquium, which featured 17 expert papers, eight commercial and technical presentations, and one invited lecture.

The meeting was held subject to the applicable restrictions due to the circumstances surrounding the health crisis. Aside from checking the PCT conditions, additional daily testing of all those present was organized, and the event could also be monitored remotely via a direct internet connection. The Colloquium on Asphalts, Bitumen, and Pavements has congressional significance for the Slovenian asphalt industry, so the conclusions will be the guiding principle of their work for the next two years.
Slovenko Henigman, president of the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association (ZAS), presented where the Slovenian asphalt activity is located and what challenges await us in the future in his introductory speech to the participants. If we can be satisfied with public procurement and asphalt production quantities, we cannot be satisfied with environmental protection and emission reduction activities in our industry. In the coming years, we will be doing a lot of hard work in this department.
The event was also attended by Mr Juan José Potti, President of the European Asphalt Pavement Association EAPA, Mr Aleš Mihelič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ms Ljiljana Herga, Director of DRSI, Mr Boštjan Rigler, a member of the DARS Management Board, and Mr Jože Smolič, member of the Petrol Management Board, who once again took over the sponsorship of the event. They all emphasized the significance of such events, congratulated the association on its anniversary, and wished them continued success.

The main topic of this colloquium was the asphalt industry’s preparation for upcoming commitments related to the implementation of the European Green Agreement. The majority of the expert papers addressed topics such as lowering asphalt temperatures and thus lowering emissions into the environment, various methods of reusing and recycling asphalt and establishing the industry as a sector in accordance with the ASPHALT 4.0 motto.
The colloquium featured four thematic sections in which experts from Slovenia and abroad presented the most recent findings and trends in various areas of road construction and maintenance. The first section presented various procedures and technical provisions for the reuse of existing dilapidated asphalt layers. In the second section, participants were informed on how other European countries face new challenges. In addition to reducing environmental impacts, it is important to provide an acceptable working environment for asphalt industry workers, and some countries have already set high objectives in this regard. Total emissions in Germany will have to be reduced from 10 mg/m3 to 1.5 mg/m3 by 2024, which will be a significant challenge.
The third section discussed new findings in the production and testing of asphalt mixtures in connection with new materials and new technologies, and the fourth section was dedicated to asphalt pavement structures in terms of future durability and environmental friendliness.
As part of the colloquium, 8 companies presented their products during the commercial and technical presentations. Domestic companies included Petrol, Fragmat, and Ekomineral, while foreign companies included Fliegl, Sasol, Saint Gobain, CTS Bitumen, and HSH Chemie.
The Asphalt Pavement Association also awards prizes to members at this event. This year, two additional awards were given for the best diploma or master’s theses, in addition to four special awards for contributions to the asphalt activity and the title of Asphalt Ambassador.

Key points and conclusions of the 18. CABP
In recent years, Slovenian asphalt production has remained close to 1.9 million tons, which we can be pleased with. We have a large volume of public procurement, which is expected to grow in the future, and changes in the industry will be required to reduce emissions and make better use of resources. To achieve the set goals, it is necessary to introduce new technologies that will enable this, as well as the full cooperation of state bodies and public contracting authorities. On the evening before the 18th CABP, a meeting was held between the Ministry of Infrastructure, contracting authorities DRSI and DARS, and the industry, where ZAS and the European Asphalt Pavement Association EAPA presented the current situation in our country and throughout Europe, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.
In addition to technological advancements, steps must be taken to improve road network management and maintenance, which can significantly reduce emissions and the carbon footprint.


Photos of 18th Colloquium on asphalt, bitumen and pavements: