Sustainable Use of Recycled Bitumen for Poles Asset Services

Omexom Australia South-East’s Asset Services team is continuing to deliver more sustainable infrastructure outcomes through an innovative pole reinstatement process that has been successfully used across Victoria for more than 20 years.

Rather than using conventional virgin bitumen, crews utilise Bitupack, a cold mix asphalt containing 20% recycled slag dust. Supplied ready to use in 20kg bags, the product removes the need for heating equipment, reduces dust and fumes, improves manual handling, and can be reopened to traffic immediately after compaction, making it both safer and more efficient to use on site.

The process is currently used across approximately 170 pole reinstatement jobs each month throughout the CitiPower network. Keeping pre-packaged material on service vehicles also reduces the need for frequent depot trips, improving productivity while lowering environmental impacts.

Each year, the initiative replaces approximately 8.16 tonnes of virgin material and reduces carbon emissions by an estimated 5.8 tonnes of CO₂, demonstrating how small operational improvements can deliver meaningful environmental benefits.

The initiative is another example of Omexom’s commitment to practical innovation, continuously improving the way infrastructure is delivered while creating safer, more sustainable outcomes for customers and communities.