The take-off and landing area and surrounding areas have now been paved with materials that significantly reduce climate impact. By using Asfalt Zero – a climate-smart asphalt made with pine oil – Skellefteå is setting an example for environmentally friendly infrastructure.
Skellefteå continues its focus on sustainable development. Two applications of the new asphalt have been completed, one at the new droneport under construction and the other on Stationsgatan in central Skellefteå. The environmentally friendly asphalt, Skanska's product Asfalt Zero, is a mixture partly made of recycled materials and pine oil – resulting in reduced climate impact and a mild scent of wood and pine forest.
Robert Lindberg, CEO of Skellefteå Airport, which is the main operator of Skellefteå Droneport, comments on the initiative:
– The asphalt is now in place, which means we have a sustainable and innovative facility that increases our attractiveness for testing and developing new drone technology.
Skanska and Skellefteå Municipality, through close dialogue, decided to use the green asphalt for the landing pad, the surrounding areas, and the road leading up to the droneport. A total of 220 tons of asphalt was used across 2100 square meters. The asphalt has net-zero emissions and aligns with the Swedish Transport Administration’s climate goals for 2045.
Patrik Larsen, head of land and development at Skellefteå Municipality, emphasizes the importance of sustainable solutions:
– Skellefteå Municipality aims to work sustainably in all projects, and as this is already part of all our efforts, it happens naturally. By using asphalt with lower climate impact, which can also be recycled, we move closer to our goals. There are great opportunities to positively impact the environment and climate emissions and set an example for others.
The paving is one step in the completion of Skellefteå Droneport, which is expected to be operational by the turn of the year when a Vinnova-funded project moves in. Offices and a hangar are currently being built at the site, which will be used by entities involved in the development, education, and testing of drone technology.
The asphalt used at Droneport was produced at Skanska’s asphalt plant in Rönnbäcken, just 2 km from Skellefteå, further reducing the climate impact of transportation.
ELIS Program is a development program for electric aviation with the ambition to become a leading hub in research, development and commercialization of electrified aviation in Sweden and beyond. The program is facilitated by Skellefteå Science City, Skellefteå municipality's innovation company, and financed by Skellefteå Kraft, Skellefteå Airport and Skellefteå municipality.
Focusing on the future of electrified airports, a three-year project has been launched to tackle electromagnetic challenges and ensure robust systems for the aviation industry. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the project paves the way for sustainable and safe development in air traffic.
Building a large urban droneport in a subarctic climate is an innovative project with no direct templates or guidelines. After extensive planning, the site is now paved and the buildings are in place, but some work remains before one of Europe’s largest urban drone airports can be inaugurated.
It started with an idea on a post-it note two years ago, and by the end of this year, the idea will become a reality. Skellefteå Droneport is one of the first droneports in Europe being built in an urban environment. The Droneport will be a physical space for development, research, education, and commercialization of drone-related solutions.