Eiffage Route Inaugurates LEA Factory in Perreux (42) to Advance Greener Road Construction
In a decisive step toward the sustainable transformation of road infrastructure, Eiffage Route has officially inaugurated its LEA (Liants Enrobés d’Avenir) factory in Perreux (Loire – 42). This cutting-edge production facility is entirely dedicated to the manufacturing of plant-based asphalt binders, designed to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of road construction. The LEA factory exemplifies how technological innovation and environmental responsibility can work hand-in-hand to reshape the future of civil infrastructure.
A Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Bitumen
Traditionally, bitumen—a by-product of petroleum refining—has served as the cornerstone binder in asphalt mix production. However, the extraction and use of bitumen contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. The LEA factory addresses this challenge head-on through a waste recovery process that produces plant-based binders capable of replacing bitumen in a wide variety of applications.
These bio-sourced binders are formulated using materials derived from plants and other organic waste sources. Not only do they reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but they also actively support the principles of circular economy by giving new life to discarded organic materials. Eiffage Route’s sustainable binders have been engineered to meet the performance requirements of modern infrastructure, offering durability, flexibility, and climate resistance.
Recycling at the Core: Reclaiming Old Roads
A defining feature of the plant-based asphalt mixes produced at the LEA facility is their high recycled content. These mixes integrate reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), sourced from the deconstruction of old road surfaces. Depending on the project’s design and technical requirements, the proportion of recycled material in these mixes can range from 25% to 100%.
This focus on recycling offers multiple environmental benefits. It reduces the need for virgin raw materials such as aggregates and bitumen, minimizes landfill waste, and decreases the energy required for raw material extraction and processing. Furthermore, by lowering the manufacturing temperatures, Eiffage Route’s process also significantly cuts emissions during production.
A Versatile and High-Performance Product Line
The LEA plant supports Eiffage Route’s expanding portfolio of plant-based asphalt solutions, each tailored to meet specific performance criteria and environmental goals. The current range includes:
- CarbonLight: Designed for applications demanding reduced carbon emissions throughout the lifecycle.
- Biophalt®: A bio-sourced hot mix offering high performance for heavy traffic roadways.
- Bioklair®: An alternative binder that combines transparency and aesthetic versatility, often used in urban settings.
- Recytal®: A cold-mix solution made with 100% recycled materials, ideal for local roads and temporary surfaces.
- Biocold®: A cold asphalt designed for reduced energy use and rapid deployment.
These products cater to a broad spectrum of use cases—from motorways and national highways to local roads and cycle paths—demonstrating the adaptability of plant-based asphalt technologies. Whether for heavily trafficked urban arteries or low-volume rural lanes, Eiffage Route’s eco-friendly mixes meet both structural and ecological performance benchmarks.
Factory Design Rooted in Carbon Reduction
Eiffage Route’s environmental commitment extends well beyond product innovation—it is also reflected in the design and operation of the LEA factory itself. The facility was conceptualized to minimize the carbon and energy impact of industrial operations, serving as a benchmark for future infrastructure development. Key features include:
- Removal of fossil fuel dependence: The demolition and evacuation of traditional gas boilers has eliminated a major source of carbon emissions from the facility.
- Full electrification of production processes, replacing conventional energy sources with electricity to reduce carbon intensity.
- Integration of renewable energy sources: The installation of solar panels helps power plant operations using clean, sustainable energy.
These efforts collectively contribute to optimizing energy efficiency, enhancing production capacity while dramatically reducing environmental impact. The LEA factory is a model for decarbonized industry—proof that manufacturing and sustainability can be mutually reinforcing goals.
Meeting Climate Goals: Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050
Eiffage Route’s LEA initiative aligns seamlessly with the broader climate and environmental commitments of local authorities and national governments. As municipalities and regional planners work to meet carbon neutrality targets by 2050, the need for innovative materials and responsible construction practices is growing ever more urgent. The LEA factory’s output plays a vital role in supporting public sector sustainability ambitions, offering scalable, carbon-free alternatives to traditional road-building materials.
In the coming years, the LEA plant is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of plant-based binders, supporting hundreds of infrastructure projects across France. This production capacity positions Eiffage Route as a leader in the field of low-carbon road construction, capable of meeting both current demand and future growth.
Expansion Already Underway: New Facility in Northern France
The success of the LEA factory in Perreux is more than a standalone achievement—it is the foundation for a national network of sustainable binder production. Recognizing the escalating demand for eco-friendly asphalt solutions, Eiffage Route has already commenced construction of a second plant in northern France. This upcoming facility will replicate and expand on the sustainable principles and technologies implemented at the Perreux site, further boosting Eiffage’s capacity to serve local and regional markets.
This expansion reflects a growing market appetite for green infrastructure, as public and private stakeholders seek environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance or cost-effectiveness. With multiple production sites, Eiffage Route is set to play a pivotal role in scaling sustainable road construction practices across the country.
A Blueprint for the Future of Road Construction
The LEA factory is not merely a manufacturing site—it is a manifesto for the future of infrastructure development. By combining advanced engineering, sustainable design, and circular economy principles, Eiffage Route is paving the way toward a new era in civil construction. One in which roads are built not only for utility and durability but also for environmental harmony and climate resilience.
As the construction industry faces increasing pressure to innovate under the weight of environmental imperatives, projects like LEA demonstrate that green transition is not only possible—it’s profitable, scalable, and impactful. From cleaner roads to cleaner skies, the road ahead is already under construction.
