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Tar-containing asphalt treatment in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the reuse of tar-containing asphalt has been prohibited since 2001. To keep roads safe and protect the environment, all tar-containing asphalt must be permanently removed from the supply chain and treated responsibly.
At Blue Phoenix, we deliver a unique thermal treatment solution that transforms contaminated asphalt into safe, certified building materials while generating valuable energy in the process.
Large-scale thermal treatment. Safe roads. Sustainable materials.
Across Europe, millions of tonnes of tar-containing asphalt were produced in the past, and much of it still needs to be removed. In the Netherlands, this challenge is amplified by the scarcity of natural sand and gravel, which requires heavy reliance on imports. By thermally cleaning tar-containing asphalt, Blue Phoenix not only neutralises harmful substances but also recovers high-quality mineral fractions that can re-enter the market as products. This process preserves natural resources and ensures the long-term sustainability of infrastructure.
Innovative recycling process with high efficiency
At our dedicated thermal treatment facilities, contaminated asphalt undergoes a high-efficiency process where:
- Harmful tar substances are safely destroyed.
- Mineral fractions are cleaned and recovered.
- Energy released during treatment is used for heating and electricity production.
This integrated approach means nothing is wasted – every tonne of tar-containing asphalt is turned into either a safe product or useful energy.
With our annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes, Blue Phoenix operated the Europe’s largest thermal treatment plants, ensuring reliable, large-scale solutions for all our partners.
Want to know more about our thermal treatment process? Take a look at our global website here:
Quality you can rely on
Every contaminated input becomes either a certified product or energy.
Efficient collaboration
Our facilities are designed for efficiency and scale, making it easy for contractors and municipalities to handle tar-containing asphalt safely, and at scale.
Large scale capacity
With our European's largest dedicated treatment plant, we can handle any volume, at any time, and provide clean, certified raw materials when you need them.
Recycled products from the process
The resulting materials are supplied as clean, certified end products such as sand, gravel, filler and gypsum. The products, ECO fillers, ECO sand 0/2 and ECO granulates 2/8 and 8/16, are subsequently sold to the asphalt and concrete industry. These products are both an economic and ecological alternative for companies in the asphalt and concrete industries and the civil engineering sector, offering cost-effective and sustainable alternative to raw virgin materials. Every year, 100% of the products we generate are sold, proving their quality and demand in the market.
Certification
Quality is an important pillar of Blue Phoenix’s policy and work. Our facilities are built on the highest standards of quality, environmental performance, and safety. Certified processes and continuous monitoring ensure that every product meets Dutch and European regulations.
Our worldwide thermal treatment operations
We operate one of Europe's most advanced thermal treatment networks, with large-scale facilities capable of handling significant volumes of asphalt and roofing waste. Our thermal treatment facility in the Netherlands is the central location of our European asphalt and roofing waste operations. From countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, materials are transported to this state-of-the-art location, where they are processed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with environmental standards. We support our partners across the region with reliable capacity and consistent quality.
