Date: 21 May 2008
Dear Delegates, welcome to the 4th Eurasphalt and Eurobitume Congress in the beautiful city of Copenhagen.
Just before our last E&E Congress in Vienna, 10 new countries joined the European Union. Since then, another two have become part of what is now one of most important economic areas in the world. A spirit of change prevails; the framework laid out by the Commission places infrastructure high on the agenda; we are moving continuously towards one single European market, with no technical barriers to trade. The bitumen and asphalt industries – both individual companies and trade associations – are responding positively to this situation. Our industry is integral to road infrastructure development in Europe and is contributing actively to the definition and implementation of the European Commission’s legislative and regulatory initiatives. Some of the most important of these are the essential requirements set out within the Construction Product Directive. Together with EAPA, Eurobitume is an active participant in the Technical Committees that harmonise standards for construction products. Just before our congress, the Bituminous Binders committee approved the final draft of the harmonised European standard specifications for paving bitumen. Once this is published we will be ready to implement CE marking. Work has already started to address the next generation of performance related standards on binders. Eurobitume is closely involved in this process. In the past, we have worked within a regulatory framework for chemical safety called the Existing Substances Directive. Over the last decade the industry has been involved with several significant studies producing data and methodology for evaluating any carcinogenic potential for the regulatory classification of bitumen and bitumen fumes. Under REACH, bitumen manufacturers and importers are responsible for specifying the conditions under which bitumen can be used safely. Available data shows that bitumen is a safe product for its intended use. The implementation of REACH is a significant task for any industry. Its success depends on two key factors: • a history of good product stewardship, and • good communication throughout supply chain. I am pleased to say that our industry has both. European directives set definitions of waste materials and, under the Hazardous Waste Directive, bituminous materials are not hazardous. Bitumen is an environmentally safe material in all of its applications. Reclaimed asphalt pavement is not waste, but a valuable material - being used inceasingly in pavement construction. As industry and authorities embrace recycling, more and more reclaimed asphalt goes back into the road, in some countries up to 100%. One over-riding theme is emerging from legislative initiatives and public debate throughout Europe and most of the rest of the world - Sustainability! The Brundtland Commission, led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, produced one of the most frequently quoted definitions: "Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This issue is being addressed in the EU by Jacques Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission, and responsible for transport. One of the main targets he set in the 2006 EU Transport White Paper Mid Term Review was to make sustainability compatible with road transport’s contribution to competitiveness. Our industry already contributes to this in several ways: • Products can now be applied at lower temperatures - saving energy and reducing emissions. • Increased recycling of asphalt saves the use of virgin materials. • Research has enabled the development of binders to make longer-lasting pavements - saving energy and material for future maintenance. • We have better tools to predict performance, enabling engineers to design better roads and combine design and maintenance schemes. • Industry is already delivering performance-guaranteed, long-life pavements, or perpetual pavement solutions. This congress will highlight several examples of how our industry is working on meeting Mr Barrot’s target. Please take the opportunity during these three days to discuss them with the experts who have first hand experience. Europe is changing and we must not believe that can happen without industry also changing. Eurobitume itself is restructuring to allow for better integration of the work being done by the national bitumen associations within the central European context. As the EU marketplace moves towards harmonised rules and regulations, removing technical barriers to trade, more decisions are being made centrally. However, implementation will always remain local. In this environment communication between central and local actors, as well as between sectors, road authorities, academia, and industry, becomes vital. New members are joining Eurobitume, realising that strong industry representation in a central European organisation like ours is important for their own success locally. Through our work, Eurobitume and EAPA have positioned themselves as key industry representatives in a wide network covering technical standards and health, environment and safety. This network extends well beyond Europe – also including North and South America, Asia, and Australia. Representatives from all these continents are here today, contributing, listening, learning, and networking. It is our conviction that J. F. Kennedy was right when he said: “It is not the wealth of a nation that builds roads, but the roads that build the wealth of a nation”. It is our hope and vision that this congress will contribute to this, within a sustainable framework as defined by Mrs. Brundtland and Mr. Barrot. We have an excellent basis: • Our industry supports and actively contributes to the common legislation in Europe • and its competent implementation within the technical, health, safety and environmental fields. Asphalt is the most sustainable paving material – it can be 100% re-used and reclaimed asphalt is not listed as a hazardous waste. Research will continue to contribute to longer lasting pavements, saving material and energy. We are proud of our contribution to an efficient and sustainable road infrastructure system in Europe! Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 4th Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress! -ENDS -