Japan Develops New Paving Materials

In February 2004, scientists from Nagano Minebea in Japan used rice bran and resin as raw materials to produce new paving materials with various advantages.
Rice bran has long been used only as livestock feed or simply treated as garbage. However, Japanese scientists have discovered through research that mixing rice bran with resin can be processed into a new type of material that is chemically stable and has good expansion and contraction properties.
This material is lightweight, resistant to rubbing, and is less prone to voids. The paving material made by mixing it with asphalt can not only be dried quickly, but also more suitable for temperature changes. In addition, paving the road with this new material can increase the ability to absorb noise by 25% compared to ordinary roads where multiple layers of asphalt are laid. At present, relevant experts in Japan have begun to apply new materials made of rice bran to the laying of some roads and plan to carry out industrial production.