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Laaneserva became Estonia’s first residential area with eco-friendly asphalt

For the eco-friendly asphalt solution, we collaborated with the local wood chemistry developer Fibenol.

“Capital Mill is always seeking sustainable solutions because we understand that our actions have a profound impact on today’s society and future generations. The collaboration with Fibenol in installing eco-friendly asphalt is part of our long-term strategy to incorporate as many sustainable solutions as possible in our developments. Small steps together create significant change, which we must address today, not tomorrow. As developers, it is our duty to create an environment that supports a holistic and sustainable lifestyle,” comments Kaarel Loigu, CEO of Capital Mill.

Watch the video to see what eco-friendly asphalt is and why its installation is an important step in residential development:

In eco-friendly asphalt, the fossil-based binder bitumen is replaced with lignin, making the asphalt significantly more environmentally friendly compared to conventional asphalt. Even during installation, instead of the usual smell, you can immediately notice a mild, natural scent. Lignin is a binding agent found in wood that protects the tree from external environmental impacts. In hardwoods, the lignin content ranges from 20-30%. By extracting lignin from wood, it can be used as a raw material in the chemical and materials industry.

In the video, Deputy Secretary General for Environmental and Circular Economy at the Ministry of Climate, Ivo Jaanisoo, Fibenol’s External Funds Coordinator, Reet Nõmmoja, and Capital Mill’s Construction Manager, Taavi Kiisk, discuss the eco-friendly asphalt solution and future plans.

Laaneserva is a residential development project completed in summer 2024 near the Viimsi Open Air Museum.