Growing population density and road traffic, a major source of disruption for local residents, are generating increasing atmospheric and noise pollution. Local authorities endeavour to fight peak pollution and regulations are becoming more and more stringent. To help them achieve their goal, Eurovia has developed an innovative air pollution reduction process that eliminates nitrogen oxides: NOxer. Adapted and applied to noise barriers, it is doubly efficient, reducing both noise and air pollution.

1. NOISE BARRIERS
NOxer
Noise abatement
and air quality

2. NOxer
NOISE BARRIERS
Growing population density and road traffic, a major source of disruption for local residents, are
generating increasing atmospheric and noise pollution. Local authorities endeavour to fight peak
pollution and regulations are becoming more and more stringent.
To help them achieve their goal, Eurovia has developed an innovative air pollution reduction
process that eliminates nitrogen oxides: NOxer. Adapted and applied to noise barriers, it is doubly
efficient, reducing both noise and air pollution.
Key
benEfits
N
o particular difficulty
in application
ignificantly cuts noise pollution
S
liminates substantial amounts of
E
nitrogen oxides, as demonstrated by
precise measurement campaigns in
the laboratory and in situ
key
figures
by 8
Cuts noise
to 11dB(A)
for barriers of group 3
Eliminates
15% to 25%
of overall pollution
ual pollution reduction in a single
D
structure
Reduces NOX by up to 75%
for the surrounding community

3. A HIGH-PERFORMANCE
TANDEM
EXPERIMENTALLY
PROVEN
The process has achieved spectacular results.
In light equivalent to that of a sunny day, 75% of
the pollutant gases that come into contact the
NOxer coating are eliminated. On a cloudy day,
there is enough light to maintain the product’s
effectiveness.
A variety of measuring systems installed on the
first NOxer noise barriers continuously analysed
the performance of the process, taking into
account traffic conditions, weather (wind, rainfall,
temperature) and topography.
The results obtained from these measuring
campaigns carried out over long periods have
demonstrated that these noise barriers reduce
pollution for local residents by 75% through the
cumulative effect of the physical barrier and the
photocatalytic reaction, and have thus shown the
specific effect of NOxer.
SIMPLE
WORKSITES
NOxer noise barrier worksites give rise
to no particular difficulties beyond
those of conventional noise barrier
installation projects.
HEALTHIER
AIR
Nitrogen oxides emitted in vehicle
exhaust cause respiratory disorders in
sensitive (children, elderly) individuals;
concentration in air is proportional
to traffic as well as to atmospheric
conditions. As local authorities seek to
combat pollution peaks during periods
of heavy traffic, pollution regulations
are becoming increasingly stringent.
With NOxer, Eurovia provides a durable
and effective solution.

4. PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS
ACTION…
ReACTION!
EASY
APPLICATION
NOxer noise barriers employ photocatalysis, a
chemical reaction in which titanium oxide acts as a
catalyst to eliminate nitrogen oxides.
Photocatalytic TiO2 is mixed into the material used
to construct the concrete wall, which is applied in a
thickness of 20 to 40mm.
When photocatalytic TiO2 on the surface of noise
barriers is exposed to ultraviolet radiation in
sunlight, NOx is converted into stable nitrogen
compounds. These stable compounds are washed
away by rainwater. The amounts precipitated are
minute compared to the limits defined for drinking
water.
The installation of such barriers, identical to that of
conventional noise barriers, presents no particular
difficulty.
Eurovia’s specialised subsidiaries have been building
noise barriers for more than 30 years, using a unique
installation technique that ensures proper positioning
and durability of the structures.
Activation of titanium
dioxide (TiO2) by
sunlight
Active
photocatalytic TiO2
molecules
Neutralisation of
stable nitrogen
compounds (NOx)
through lime in
the barrier; compounds are
washed away
by rainwater.
sunlight
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
react with oxygen (O2)
in the air.
Conversion of NOx into
stable nitrogen compounds
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
18, place de l’Europe - 92565 Rueil-Malmaison cedex
Tel.: +33 1 47 16 38 00 - Fax: +33 1 47 16 38 01
www.eurovia.com
technique@eurovia.com
- December 2013 - photos credit : photolibrary Eurovia
Moreover, the barriers effectively reduce noise
pollution: under the ZTV-Lsw 88 standard they
achieve noise reduction of 8dB(A) and they are
recognised as “absorbent” (Group A3) under the
EN 1793-1 standard.