How does cold emulsion bitumen production reduce energy consumption compared to hot mix processes?

Emulsion production and use reduces energy mainly by lowering the temperature required for mixing and application. Instead of heating aggregates and binder to hot mix asphalt levels, emulsions enable ambient or moderately heated application and cold or warm mixes. In manufacturing, bitumen is heated but typically not to the same levels as hot mix operations, and water phase handling is low temperature. The biggest energy savings usually occur on site, where drying and compaction requirements are reduced relative to hot mix, depending on climate and design.