70,000 m² runway, seven nights, ongoing flight operations – in November, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport was the site of a project that demonstrates how modern runway maintenance works today.
The surface of the runway showed significant grain loss. The cause was an aged, oxidized binder in the asphalt. Without countermeasures, comprehensive renewal would have been necessary in the medium term, involving high material costs, long construction times, and significant disruption to flight operations.
A conscious decision was made to do things differently: POSSEHL AsKo was chosen.
Preservation instead of renewal
POSSEHL AsKo is a solvent-based preservation system in combination with GPM (Gilsonite Preservative Materials).
After application, the solvent briefly opens up the aged bitumen matrix of the asphalt surface. This allows the Gilsonite to penetrate deep into the structure and act precisely where the loss of substance begins. Like a protective membrane, it stabilizes the components contained in the bitumen. The solvent then evaporates completely.
What remains is a reinforced, resistant surface that impresses with its long durability and stability. No milling, no reconstruction, no interruption of flight operations.
Longer service life, less effort
The work on the runway at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport was carried out exclusively at night. Our team precisely adapted the processes to the available closure times so that flight operations could continue without restriction during the day. Within seven nights, we preserved a total of 70,000 m², stopped the loss of grain on the runway, and thus extended its service life by several years.
