During this year, the execution of the first MAS (Sustainable Asset Maintenance) contracts of the National Roads Directorate is expected, which establish a Sustainability Bond (BS) system. These are optional measures that the Contractor can adopt to receive additional economic compensation, aimed at reducing the environmental and social impact of the works but that will change the paradigm of sustainability of road construction in the country.

Being one of the most innovative initiatives worldwide in this regard, many countries penalize environmental non-compliance but the “MAS CREMAF” encourage exceeding basic standards. We invite you to learn “MORE” about this proposal!

The 13 available bonuses are summarized below:

Infrastructure and Plant Operation

BS1: Connection to the Asphalt Plant electrical grid: Rewards the reduction of fossil fuels in the operation of engines and asphalt heating systems.

BS2: Connection to the electrical grid of the Crushing Plant: Applicable both to own plants and to the purchase of aggregates in commercial plants that use energy from the grid.

Asphalt Materials and Mixtures

BS3: Mixtures with NFU (Out of Use Tire): Payment per ton of mixture for black base and patching that incorporates tire dust.

BS4: Warm Mixture Asphalt (WMA): Incentive for the use of surfactants that allow the manufacturing temperature to be reduced, saving energy.

BS5: Mixtures with RAP (Recycled Pavement): Rewards the inclusion of between 10% and 15% of RAP in mixtures for black base and patching.

BS7: Use of ROC and Recycled Glass: Payment for the use of Civil Works Waste (minimum 10 m3) and/or recycled glass dust (minimum 3 m3).

Environmental Management and Biodiversity

BS6: ISO 14064-1:2018 Standard: One-time payment if the implementation of this greenhouse gas management standard is verified before the first 3 years.

BS8: Reforestation of native species: Incentive for the planting of up to 100 native trees approved by the Forestry Department.

BS9: Restoration of watercourse margins: Payment for recovering degraded riverbank areas (up to 200 m2).

Social and Road Safety

BS10: Training workshops: Payment for carrying out up to 10 workshops (minimum 4 hours long) on ​​sustainability aimed at local interest groups.

BS11: IRI reduction: Bonus for achieving an average IRI < 1.2 m/km in the works of Component A.

BS12: 3-star rating iRAP: Incentive for increasing the road safety of the circuit by eliminating obstacles or adapting slopes.

BS13: UNIT-ISO 39001:2012 Standard: Payment for certifying road safety management in all contract processes.

At BITAFAL we are proud to be part of the Vial del Uruguay family that is always looking for cutting-edge proposals. Regarding these contracts, we will be providing technical support to the different actors in the sector to be able to implement a large part of these bonuses, contributing our experience and knowledge to carry them out.

You can find more information in chapter XIII of the following sheet