Barcelona tests asphalt made with olive pits that cuts carbon footprint by 76%

A pilot project in Barcelona is testing a new type of asphalt that replaces limestone aggregate with biochar made from olive pits and other agricultural waste. The mixture is being laid on a 2,000 square meter stretch in the Eixample neighborhood, and early data shows a 76% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional asphalt. The material is designed to withstand heat, humidity, cracking, and urban traffic just as well as regular asphalt. Researchers and construction companies are now monitoring how the pavement performs over a full year of real street conditions. If the durability tests pass, the approach could offer a practical way to lower emissions from public works without sacrificing performance.