An independent study has shown significant and immediate sustainability gains can be made by sourcing bitumen from suppliers with geographically closer depots and refineries.
The road sector is under increasing pressure to deliver infrastructure that meets high-performance standards and aligns with climate targets. While the industry continues to explore long-term shifts such as electrification of equipment, recycling of asphalt and alternative binders, immediate gains are available through smarter logistics.
The study, carried out by Future Earth Analytics and commissioned by Nynas, compared the environmental impact of transporting bitumen from Nynas’ refineries with market alternatives in Scandinavia, Finland and the UK.
Using one tonne of bitumen delivered to a city centre as the baseline, the analysis combined GIS (geographic information system) modelling with maritime and road-transport data. Routes were mapped with ArcGIS Pro*, while energy and emissions factors came from the ecoinvent 3.9.1 database. Both shipping and trucking stages were included, with vessel-size differences accounted for. The study calculated and compared energy demand (CED) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (GWP100) for Nynas versus competitors.
The results show that the logistics of bitumen distribution can significantly reduce energy use and GHG emissions. The analysis compares Nynas’ distribution system with those of major competitors in Scandinavia, Finland, and the UK. It provides quantitative evidence of how logistics choices can directly affect the sustainability and quality of road projects.
“This study makes clear that where bitumen comes from and how it reaches a road surface really matters,” says Marika Rangstedt, sustainability manager at Nynas. “For an industry tasked with balancing performance, cost and environmental responsibility, this insight provides a practical path toward more sustainable paving.”
Every tonne of bitumen delivered involves energy-intensive shipping and trucking steps. Even modest differences in supply routes can translate into major variations in environmental performance.
“Used in huge quantities on roads, bitumen is best sourced locally, limiting the cost and environmental impact of transport. This study confirms that our regional production and distribution model results in measurable energy and emissions savings compared to market alternatives,” notes Carl Hultin, marketing manager for bitumen at Nynas.
By comparing Nynas’ depot network with the nearest competitor depots, the study isolated the logistics-driven differences in transport energy and GHG emissions. The findings showed reduced transport-related energy use by between 50 and 940 megajoules per tonne at deliveries to large cities. Savings were up to 1.2 gigajoules per tonne in smaller municipalities.
Regarding emissions savings, deliveries saved up to 91kg CO₂eq per tonne compared with competitors.
As well, it showed energy savings for deliveries to 74% of cities in Scandinavia, Finland and the UK. GHG savings were recorded for nearly 80% of locations. When it comes to shipments by sea – and despite using smaller vessels – Nynas still has an energy advantage to 90% of towns and cities, thanks to the shorter distances between refinery and depots.
In practice, these figures scale up rapidly. “Transport is sometimes overlooked when evaluating the sustainability performance of materials. Efficient logistics translate directly into lower emissions and energy use – benefits that road authorities and contractors can factor into their own sustainability strategies,” says Rangstedt.
The analysis shows that procurement decisions can have significant downstream effects. While asphalt-mix design, recycling and innovative binders are all important, upstream-sourcing choices can add another lever for emissions reduction without compromising quality or performance.
For road agencies and contractors, the study provides actionable insights surrounding:
• Environmental impact – logistics-related energy consumption and emissions may not always be fully accounted for, but can represent a significant share of the overall environmental impact of the material
• Regional supply advantages – sourcing from suppliers with geographically closer depots and refineries can provide verifiable sustainability gains
• Alignment with climate targets – with European Union and national commitments to cut transport and construction emissions, procurement processes that integrate logistics-based impact assessments can demonstrate compliance and leadership
*Built by Esri, ArcGIS integrates and connects data through the context of geography. It provides capabilities for creating, managing, analysing, mapping and sharing all types of data.
Marika Rangstedt has more than 25 years of experience in specialty oil products and their applications. At Nynas she has held various positions within R&D, product development and technical marketing and for the past 10 years has focussed on sustainability. She holds an MSc in chemical engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
Carl Hultin has a decade of experience in the bitumen industry and is now marketing manager for bitumen at Nynas. With a strong background in both technical and commercial roles, he focuses on endorsing solutions that enhance infrastructure performance while supporting the transition to a more sustainable future. He holds a BSc in chemical engineering.
