The outcome of a feasibility study for the formulation of requirements for a new ecolabel for deicing agents for roads and ways following DIN EN ISO 14024 is presented. For this, an ecological comparison was performed forthe product groups of gritting and deicing agents, including a screening life-cycle analysis (LCA). According to present knowledge, the use of formiate for winter road maintenance can not be recommended, although it is easily bio-degradable and has a very low aquatic ecotoxicity comparable withnormal salt (sodium chloride) and with calcium/magnesium chloride. However, compared with thawing salts or even with gritting agents, the production of formiates needs more primary energy and one has to calculate with about 6- to 8-fold higher total application costs. The study elaborated general criteria and requirements for the performance of deicing agents as wellas practical recommendations for a more ecologically compatible winter road maintenance. For the covering abstract see ITRD E143097.
Samenvatting