What does fibre reinforced asphalt cost per m²?
The price per m² is the first question. A realistic view of the cost build-up of fibre reinforced asphalt — and why the surcharge works out cost-neutral.
When considering fibre reinforced asphalt, the price per m² is a logical first question. This article gives a realistic view of the cost build-up — with the caveat that an exact price always depends on the project.
The base price of asphalt
The price of regular asphalting in the Netherlands varies widely, depending on the type of asphalt, layer thickness, surface area and the condition of the subgrade:
• Private driveway: on average €35 to €60 per m².
• Commercial site: on average €20 to €35 per m², depending on foundation, loading and asphalt mix.
• General range (all applications): €25 to €130 per m², depending on the type of asphalt (for example DAB, SMA or porous asphalt (ZOAB)), layer thickness and the scale of the project.
The larger the surface area, the lower the price per m² generally turns out, because fixed costs such as transport and equipment deployment are spread over more square metres.
Surcharge for fibre reinforcement
Fibre reinforcement is added during the asphalt production process, which means the surcharge mainly consists of the cost of the fibre itself, not of a separate work step. For aramid fibre (dosed at around 0.05% of the mixture), this surcharge is relatively limited compared with the total asphalt price per m² — comparable to, or often lower than, the price difference between regular bitumen and polymer modified bitumen (PMB).
Why fibre reinforcement can work out cost-neutral
Research within the European FIBRA project shows that applying fibre reinforcement instead of PMB can be cost-neutral in the Dutch situation, provided a comparable service life is achieved. This is because:
• No extra work step is needed, unlike with reinforcement mesh.
• A standard penetration bitumen suffices instead of the more expensive PMB.
• A lower production temperature (around 15-20°C lower) saves energy during production.
Factors that influence the price per m²
• Type of asphalt: porous asphalt (ZOAB), SMA or DAB each have a different base price.
• Layer thickness and number of layers: a surface course is generally more expensive than a base layer.
• Fibre type and dosage: aramid, depending on the desired properties.
• Surface area: larger projects benefit from economies of scale.
• Preparatory works: milling existing asphalt, groundworks or drainage can significantly affect total costs, separate from the asphalt choice itself.
Looking at cost over the service life
A price per m² only says something about the one-off installation cost. Because fibre reinforcement can contribute to a longer service life of the road surface (potentially up to 50% longer service life for the road surface and up to 200% longer service life for the asphalt layer itself, depending on fibre type and application), for a fair comparison it's relevant to look at the cost per m² per year of service life, rather than only the one-off installation price.
In conclusion
The direct surcharge for fibre reinforcement compared with regular asphalt is limited, and thanks to lower production temperatures and the elimination of PMB it can even work out cost-neutral. A tailored quote based on the type of asphalt, surface area and specific project requirements is always needed for a concrete price.