Spain tests olive pit biochar in asphalt to cut road emissions and store carbon

Engineers in Barcelona have developed an asphalt mixture that replaces some conventional mineral components with biochar made from olive pits and other plant residues. The material is being tested on a public street and could reduce asphalt production emissions by up to 75 percent while storing carbon for decades. Spain produces millions of tons of olive waste each year, much of which is discarded or burned. Using that waste as a road-building ingredient could turn a disposal problem into a climate solution. The biochar locks carbon into the road surface instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Early tests suggest the new asphalt meets standard durability and safety requirements. If scaled, this approach could cut emissions from road construction and create a market for agricultural residues. The project is part of a broader push across Europe to reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure without compromising performance.