A comprehensive investigation of energy consumption and carbon emissions for a new type of cold mix asphalt technology.

Cold mix asphalt (CMA) offers promising potential for reducing the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA). This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with a newly developed CMA technology (New-CMA) incorporating a hydroxylated cycloalkane-based polymer additive, which improves workability at ambient temperatures. Energy consumption and carbon emissions were quantified across the whole production stages, using energy consumption method and emission factor method recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results demonstrate that the New-CMA achieves a 48% reduction in total energy consumption and a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional HMA. Significant reductions were observed particularly in the mixture production stage, where energy use and carbon emissions decreased by 97.6% and 93.6%, respectively, due to the elimination of aggregate heating. Compared to traditional CMA, the New-CMA shows reductions of 9% in energy use and 10% in carbon emissions. These improvements are primarily attributed to the elimination of aggregate heating, lower mixing temperatures, and enhanced mixing efficiency. The technology is particularly suitable for preventive maintenance and structural layers in low-to-medium traffic roads. This study provides a comprehensive environmental evaluation and offers guidance for promoting sustainable pavement practices in urban construction.