Innovative Green Road is Built in Israel

Beer-Sheba in Southern Israel is the site of an experimental new road pavement. They're using a clean green material which can only be found in the dead sea area.

This special material called IBIND is added to the asphalt. 

Dimona Silica Industry, or DSI, designed the process and is now putting the material to good use.

[Andrew Vorobiev, DSI, President]: 

"Now we have finished the r [research] and d [development]. The signal based for the unique process, it was made by an Israeli scientist. We put trust in this project and we have got a unique raw material here."

Phosphates mining in the desert by the Dead Sea leaves a powder-like material which becomes the key ingredient in the paving mix. 

[Ronen Peled, DSI, CEO]:

“The geological structure uniquely found in the Dead Sea area means we can find minerals above ground, a phenomenon that does not exist anywhere else in the world.”

The material has been tested by top specialists and laboratories in Israel, Portugal, Austria and China and now in the U.S.

[Ronen Peled, DSI, CEO]:  

“A number of tests prove that our material is more environment-friendly than the materials it replaces, such as cellulose fibers."

[Prof. Illan Yishai, Civil Engineering Specialist] : 

“We reduce the content of bitumen in the mix, which is an economical advantage, and we reduce the temperature in the plant, which is an environmental advantage. The reduction of noise is the result of the porous mix which has cavities and absorbs the noise.”

The plant is an asset to the town of Dimona.

[Eli Bronstein, Deputy Vice Mayor of Dimona]:

“The plant does not create pollution. We have all the quality certification proving we are protecting the environment. The process takes place in a closed system, which is good for us, since Dimona has a green town reputation.”

There are more advantages to paving roads with the IBIND additive.

[Prof. Illan Yishai, Civil Engineering Specialist]:

“It’s been found that the material brought into the mix has additional advantages: it prolongs the life of the road, prevents cracking of the road and water damage.”

At first there were doubts.

[Gregory Svechinsky, Consulting Engineer]: 

“I spent months walking around and thinking when all of a sudden it came to me. I made a few tests at the Israeli Institute of Standards and all the signs were positive. I then understood that there was something to do and a work plan to prepare.”

The future looks promising for the DSI Company.

[Andrew Vorobiev, President, DSI] 

"This year we will build a road in America, USA, for New York and in China in the south. The idea is to build good roads, silent and green, that's the main idea." 

So, in your next visit to Israel, enjoy the quiet road at the northern entrance to the city of Beer-Sheba.

NTD News, Beer-Sheba, Israel

Reporter:Aviva Grunpeter       Photographer:Michel Ash and Anat Markram