New Vegecol project in northern France: Colas is building a bike path using an innovative surfacing with a lower carbon impact
On August 31 and September 1, Colas teams applied 5,500 m² of Vegecol mix on a 2.2-km section of bike path, as part of a project to build a greenway between the towns of Pierrefonds and Palesne, France, along the route of a former railway. The work is being performed on behalf of the Lisières de l'Oise conurbation, with completion scheduled for the end of September 2022.
The new section is part of the project to create a network of bicycle and greenway links between the towns of Compiègne and Villers-Cotterêts, in the north of Paris. It is designed to encourage soft mobility, develop bicycle tourism and promote ecomobility in this tourist region.
Vegecol is an innovative mix designed by the Colas research laboratory. It is manufactured locally from aggregates and a binder made from plant resin derived from pine trees, produced in France. The binder reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 60% compared to conventional solutions. Vegecol is also part of the range of mixes with lower manufacturing temperatures, which reduces energy consumption during the production process.
The binder used in Vegecol is translucent, which allows the natural color of the aggregates to shine through, making it an aesthetically pleasing surface that is well suited for tourist sites. The solution was approved by the Architecte des Bâtiments de France for use near the Pierrefonds castle, a listed historic
monument.
"We are proud to have been selected by the Lisières de l’Oise conurbation and the Architecte des Bâtiments de France for this project located near the historic Pierrefonds Castle. This confirms that in addition to its environmental advantages, Vegecol is also a very high-quality product, explains Jérôme Corman, head of Colas' Senlis profit center."
In the wake of a number of successful projects over the last year, this bike path is yet another important reference for Vegecol, which is continuing to develop. Another contract is already on the books for the Jura region in France, along with other projects across the Colas map around the world.
