Ammann Wood Dust Burner Enables More Sustainable Asphalt Production

Ammann is setting a milestone in green asphalt production with the innovative MIBZ wood dust burner. This technology allows fossil fuels to be replaced with wood dust, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.

More than 50 asphalt plants worldwide are already equipped with this groundbreaking technology, producing over 20 million tons of asphalt using wood dust. This has resulted in a reduction of more than 345,000 tons of CO₂.

Recently, Ammann successfully commissioned its first wood dust burner in Austria. Earlier this year, a new state-of-the-art HRT RAH 100 plant equipped with two wood dust burners was launched in Switzerland. Together, these two plants contributed to an annual reduction of at least 2,800 tons of CO₂ across Europe, reinforcing Ammann’s leading role in providing eco-friendly fuel solutions for the asphalt industry.

Green Plant Initiative and Emissions Reduction

As a global leader in the manufacture of asphalt-mixing plants, Ammann is committed to reducing or eliminating emissions at every stage of asphalt production through its Green Plant Initiative. This blueprint reaffirms Ammann's dedication to sustainability by offering technologies that minimize emissions.

Ammann significantly reduces emissions through its H2 hydrogen burner and other burners that are CO₂-friendly, and in some cases CO₂-neutral. These burners, which are compatible with different ecological fuels, are central to greener asphalt production.

Global Leader in Combustion Technology

Ammann is a world leader in combustion technology for the asphalt industry. Every year, the company manufactures more than 400 burners that are put to work in asphalt plants across the globe. These burners are renowned for their efficiency, reliability, and fuel compatibility, including CO₂-neutral wood dust and hydrogen.

Advanced Burner Control System

The latest burner control system allows a single burner to utilize four different types of fuels, which can often be burned simultaneously. Furthermore, fuel changes can be made during production without interrupting operations. This flexibility is key to responding quickly to market demands and fluctuating prices while also maintaining efficiency.

Proactive Response to Market Changes

Ammann has consistently stayed ahead of market changes, particularly regarding alternative fuels. The company’s long-standing presence in the industry ensures, Ammann knows what changes are coming. When new requirements, laws, or regulations emerge, Ammann acts in advance. The changes often mean, “New rules, new fuels.”

With the wood dust burner, Ammann is addressing the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions and providing customers with efficient, future-proof technology.

Sustainability at the Forefront

The MIBZ wood dust burner offers a forward-looking solution to the increasing demand for eco-friendly construction practices. Wood dust, a renewable and CO₂-neutral fuel, presents a highly attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Compared to conventional heating oils or natural gas, wood dust combustion results in significantly lower emissions, contributing to more sustainable production.

The wood dust burner is a response to the urgent challenges of climate change and the increasing demand for technologies that reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. By utilizing wood waste and sawdust, Ammann significantly contributes to reducing greenhouse gases without compromising the efficiency of its asphalt plants.

Cost Efficiency and Availability

The use of wood dust also offers economic advantages. Fossil fuel prices can be volatile, while wood dust is readily available at a low cost in many regions. Furthermore, the use of wood dust and hydrogen (H₂) is rewarded with a significantly lower CO₂ tax in many countries. Asphalt businesses can reduce their operating costs while simultaneously making their production more environmentally friendly.

Ammann’s wood dust burner is compatible with existing asphalt plants and can be integrated into current systems. This transition has, as mentioned before, already been successfully implemented in more than 50 asphalt plants worldwide, which have collectively produced more than 20 million tonnes of asphalt using wood dust—further evidence of the technology’s efficiency and reliability.

Innovative Technology and Efficiency

The MIBZ wood dust burner stands out for its high efficiency and advanced combustion technology. By precisely controlling fuel feed and optimising combustion conditions, the burner ensures consistent asphalt mix quality. This process can be further enhanced by the Ammann Drying Expert system (ADX)—a revolutionary solution automating burner power and dryer RPM settings for both virgin and RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) dryers, potentially achieving significant fuel savings during production. ADX seamlessly integrates with the Ammann as1 Control System and is available for purchase with new plants. Retrofits are also available, with the only requirement being a variable-speed drum drive.

A Forward-Thinking Investment

Ammann’s wood dust burner underscores the company’s commitment to technological innovation and environmental protection. This development offers asphalt producers an attractive opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while optimizing operating costs.

At Ammann, we see the transition to more sustainable energy sources as a necessity and an opportunity. With the wood dust burner, we are setting a new standard for green technology in the construction industry.