Bitumen emulsions: Binding agents for road construction and road maintenance
Bitumen emulsions are essential binding agents in modern road and infrastructure construction. They enable the processing of bituminous construction materials at low temperatures with reduced energy input and are used as bonding agents for layer bonding in asphalt construction, for surface treatments, crack repairs, cold mix formulation and as repair asphalt. As a manufacturer and supplier of bitumen emulsions, roxit offers a broad portfolio of emulsions and specialised bituminous products as well as comprehensive consulting services for road construction companies, asphalt mixing plants, local authorities and infrastructure operators.
What are bitumen emulsions?
Bitumen emulsions are water-based binders where bitumen is finely dispersed in a water phase. They can be processed at low temperatures and are suitable for a wide range of applications in road construction and road maintenance.
Typical areas of application include:
- Tack coats for bonding asphalt layers
- Surface treatments
- Crack repair
- Cold mix
- Small-scale rehabilitation measures
- Municipal maintenance operations
- Civil engineering applications (edge sealing, repair and layer bonding in structures such as bridges, overpasses or technical works)
Compared to hot bitumen applications, bitumen emulsions enable lower-energy, safer and more economical processing.
Who uses bitumen emulsions?
Our bitumen emulsions are used in Austria, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Romania. Key application groups include:
- Road construction companies
- Traffic route construction companies
- Public bodies such as municipalities, public works departments or road maintenance centres
- Infrastructure operators as well as motorway and road maintenance companies
- Asphalt mixing plants
- Road maintenance service providers
At roxit, clients benefit from a wide range of products, high availability and technical support for product selection and use.
Specialised bituminous products for special applications
In addition to conventional bitumen emulsions, specialised bituminous products are also available for special requirements, which have been developed specifically for repairs, joint connections and fast-track maintenance work.
These include:
- Repstar
- Gussfix
- Risstape
- Joint tapes
- Sealing compounds
- Seam adhesive
- Primers
- Release agents
- Bitumen spray
- Paving and rail joint sealants
- Pore sealers
These specialised products expand the bitumen emulsion portfolio with application-focused, ready-to-use solutions that demonstrate their strengths particularly in the municipal sector, for maintenance operations and in demanding rehabilitation situations.
Delivery and availability
We supply bitumen emulsions in a variety of formats:
- Canisters for small quantities
- IBCs for medium purchase quantities and flexible storage
- Tanker delivery for large quantities and continuous construction site supply
- Drums for flexible, project-related applications
- Service tanks for companies that use emulsions regularly
With a Europe-wide production network of ten emulsion plants, we can ensure short transport routes, stable supply chains and high product availability. This enables a dependable supply even for short-term requirements or seasonal peaks.
Sustainability and resource conservation
Bitumen emulsions contribute to resource-conserving construction methods because they can be applied without the need for high heating temperatures. Processing at low temperatures reduces energy consumption on the construction site and enables economical maintenance measures that extend the service life of existing pavement structures. The targeted use of emulsions allows for more efficient use of materials and optimised construction processes. This offers an advantage for local authorities, infrastructure operators and companies that seek to adopt processes with reduced CO2 emissions.
Practical knowledge from our own production and processing
At roxit, we not only produce bitumen emulsions, we also process them ourselves. This practical knowledge feeds directly into our product development, consulting services and quality assurance.
In-house emulsion production
We produce bitumen emulsions at multiple European locations and deliver them in tankers, drums or to service tanks. With 12 emulsion plants, we ensure regional availability, short transport routes, stable supply chains and consistent product quality.
Flexibility and customised solutions
For major clients, we can customise product features on a project-specific basis, develop customised specialty products and coordinated system products, and implement private labelling solutions.
Comprehensive product range
From standard pressure-sensitive adhesives to polymer-modified emulsions, we provide solutions for layer bonding, surface treatment, crack repair, cold mixes and special applications in civil engineering.
Technical advice and system solutions
Our experts will provide support with product selection, processing, standard-compliant execution or in cases where you have to comply with specific requirements in tenders.
Why roxit? Our advantages at a glance
Clients often approach us with very specific challenges: they are looking for efficient rehabilitation options for frost damage, need economical alternatives to hot asphalt processes, expect reliable adhesion between asphalt layers or want durable solutions for road rehabilitation. This is exactly where roxit comes in:
How to work with us
For us, successful project implementation always begins with a clear analysis and ends with reliable implementation on the construction site. To ensure that you receive exactly the bitumen emulsion or specialised bituminous product that fits your project in technical and economical terms, we support and guide you through a structured process:
Are you planning a road construction or maintenance project?
We provide consulting on emulsion types, processes and delivery options tailored to your requirements and will offer you a technically suitable solution.
Get in touch with usFAQ/frequently asked questions about bitumen emulsions
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What is a bitumen emulsion?
Bitumen emulsions are finely dispersed mixtures of road bitumen and water stabilised by emulsifiers, which are used in road construction and road maintenance.
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What are the advantages of bitumen emulsions?
Bitumen emulsions can be applied at lower temperatures than hot bitumen and are particularly suitable for economical road maintenance measures. They are an excellent choice whenever low-energy, economical solutions that allow for fast implementation are required.
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In which delivery formats are bitumen emulsions available?
Delivery takes place using tanker trailers, in drums or in service tanks. Service tanks can be hired and are then refilled by us.
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Where are bitumen emulsions used?
They are used in road construction and in almost all aspects of road maintenance. Examples include layer bonding between asphalt layers, surface treatments (spray-and-chip applications), crack and joint repair, cold mix and repair asphalt, municipal repairs to damaged areas and civil engineering structures (bridges, overpasses).
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Which bitumen emulsion is suitable for which application?
This very much depends on the specific case: there are special emulsions for high-stress traffic areas, fast-setting emulsions for surface treatments, stable emulsions for cold mixes and repair asphalt. The decisive factors are substrate conditions, traffic load, temperature and required setting speed.
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What are the characteristics of cationic and polymer-modified bitumen emulsions?
Cationic emulsions are standard types for pressure-sensitive adhesives, surface treatments and many maintenance applications. Polymer-modified emulsions contain additional polymers that increase elasticity and adhesion. They are ideal for heavily used surfaces, bridges or demanding refurbishments.
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How does spray-and-chip with bitumen emulsion work?
In spray-and-chip application, the emulsion is applied uniformly to the substrate and then scattered with high-grade chippings. Key factors include correct dosing, the appropriate setting speed, a dry and clean substrate and a grading of the chippings matched to the application. This method is suitable for surface treatments, improving skid resistance and protective layers in municipal and interregional road construction.
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What temperatures must be observed during transport and processing?
During transport, the temperature ranges recommended by the manufacturer apply, typically between 20 °C and 60 °C, depending on the type of emulsion. During processing, operating limits generally range from 5 °C to 100 °C. At temperatures outside these ranges, the material may disintegrate.
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Can bitumen emulsions be applied in rain or on a wet substrate?
No. Bitumen emulsions require a dry and clean substrate to ensure uniform setting and proper adhesion. Rain, high humidity or wet surfaces delay or prevent setting and can lead to adhesion failures.
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How much emulsion is needed per square metre?
Consumption depends on the application method, substrate and emulsion type. Typical guideline values range between 0.3 and 1.5 kg/m². For exact quantities, construction site conditions and manufacturer’s specifications are decisive.
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What is the difference between cold mix emulsions and pressure-sensitive adhesives?
Cold mix emulsions are more stable, often contain higher binder contents and set more slowly to ensure proper coating of mineral components. Pressure-sensitive adhesive emulsions, on the other hand, are more reactive and specifically designed to optimise layer bonding.