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Voting members of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) elected Brady Meldrem, President of Norris Asphalt Paving Co. in Ottumwa, Iowa, as NAPA 2024 Chairman of the Board.

A longtime NAPA member, Meldrem has served in numerous volunteer capacities. In addition to years of Board service, notable contributions include elevating issues and innovations from his home state of Iowa as State Advisor for 11 years, as well as increasing the industry’s focus on warm-mix asphalt as a member of that task force. His ascent from membership to chairmanship mirrors his career, which he began as a truck driver, then rose to become president. Meldrem was inducted into the Iowa Hot Mix Asphalt Hall of Fame in 2017 by the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa.

Rounding out NAPA’s 2024 National Officers are First Vice Chair Patrick Nelson, President & CEO of Lehman-Roberts Co. in Memphis, Tenn.; Second Vice Chair Jay Lemon, President of Haskell Lemon Construction Co. in Oklahoma City; Secretary Jason Duininck, Partner at Duininck Inc. in Chaska, Minn.; and Treasurer Robert Doucet, President of Barrett Industries, a Colas Co., in Morristown, N.J.

Meldrem will be sworn in by 2023 Chair of the Board Christian Zimmermann, New England Group President of CRH Americas Materials in Belmont, N.H., at NAPA’s 2024 Annual Meeting, taking place January 28-31 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Fla. Registration to attend NAPA’s Annual Meeting is available online through January 19 and is open to NAPA members, guests, media, and industry stakeholders.

Previewing NAPA’s 2024 Annual Meeting

In its 69-year history, NAPA has never missed holding its Annual Meeting of members. The organization is upping the ante for 2024 with even more informative and inspirational sessions that foster conversations around important topics, committee meetings where members will shape the industry’s future, and abundant time for learning and networking.

Kicking off the event in style on January 29 is self-made billionaire Daymond John, best known as the founder, president, and CEO of FUBU and as co-host of the popular ABC television series for budding entrepreneurs, Shark Tank. John will share his insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and success.

Throughout the meeting, NAPA will honor the asphalt pavement industry’s best people and projects. Among the awards to be presented is the prestigious Sheldon G. Hayes Award for excellence in asphalt pavement construction, a distinction that Meldrem’s Norris Asphalt Paving Co. received in 2001 and 2015. Finalists undergo a rigorous two-year evaluation process. The winner will be revealed during an industry celebration on Tuesday evening, January 30.

Closing out the event on January 31 is Andrew Zimmern, creator and host of the popular Travel Channel series Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. A four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer, and social justice advocate, Zimmern will share stories from the road to inspire attendees.

Preceding the Annual Meeting is NAPA’s Annual Golf Tournament at the Omni Orlando International Course. Recently ranked ninth overall by GOLF Advisor, the 7,363-yard links-style PGA Tournament course features 18 of the most dramatic and challenging holes in Florida. Separate registration is required to participate in the Annual Golf Tournament taking place on January 27.

For a complete schedule of events and sessions, registration rates, hotel and travel information, and sponsorship opportunities, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Annual.

Raymond “Buzz” Powell joined the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) staff yesterday as its first Technical Director, following a distinguished career at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University. Powell retired from NCAT in September after 24 years of service, including oversight of the Test Track from its very beginning. Prior to NCAT, he worked for the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).

Throughout his career, Powell has remained committed to safe and sustainable asphalt pavements at the lowest possible life cycle cost.

As APA Technical Director, he leans into that creed, directing the deployment of research, tools, and information for stakeholders in the pavement industry; identifying key technology and deployment opportunities; advancing and promoting asphalt pavements, based on science and engineering principles; and overseeing the APA Education Program and Resource Library.

“His extensive experience and background will be a tremendous asset to the APA, and we are excited to have him join our team,” said National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE.

The APA is a long-term partnership between NAPA, SAPA Inc., and the Asphalt Institute. The three partners represent the asphalt pavement and binder industries in the United States and work together to ensure asphalt is the pavement of choice, safeguard the industry’s longevity, and foster market growth. NAPA leads and administers the APA and appoints the Chair of APA’s Advisory Committee, which includes representation from the partners.

Powell holds multiple degrees from Auburn University: PhD, MSCE, and BCE. He will continue to reside in and work from Alabama. Powell shared his passion for asphalt pavements along with stories from the NCAT Test Track on the first season of NAPA’s Pave It Black podcast (Walking the Asphalt Path, https://on.soundcloud.com/TrHnJ).

Last week (July 12-13), a group of 75 asphalt pavement industry leaders hyper-focused on reaching net zero collaborated on how to do just that. Building on the momentum generated during the National Asphalt Pavement Association's Midyear Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., they engaged in presentations and breakout group discussions at the first gathering of its kind: The Road Forward Summit.

The summit was crafted around The Road Forward goals, which aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions in asphalt pavement production and construction by 2050, leveraging advances in clean energy and industry-specific technologies. Those include pavement design, material inputs, plant operations, equipment, trucking, and maintenance.

“This summit was designed to take the foundation that was built with The Road Forward and strategically determine the next steps needed to move the entire industry forward,” said organizer Richard Willis, NAPA’s Vice President for Engineering, Research, & Technology (pictured reviewing visual notes captured throughout the summit).

The Road Forward partnerships kicked off in May 2023 with two inaugural partners: Peckham Industries and Cargill Asphalt Solutions. Representatives of both companies attended The Road Forward Summit and provided commentary on what they experienced.

“As an asphalt mix producer, Peckham is excited to see the continued efforts to make The Road Forward accessible to all contractors across the country,” said Will Hadeka, General Manager for Peckham. “The collaboration that The Road Forward provides will be key in driving innovative solutions on our journey to a net zero future.”

Dan Staebell, Asphalt Solutions Business Development Manager for Cargill, added, “The Road Forward Summit was unlike any NAPA experience I have had. The synergy created by having producers, suppliers, and agencies together brainstorming solutions to help advance our industry’s sustainability goals is a step we needed, and one Cargill fully supports. I’m really looking forward to seeing the action plan built from the ideas that were generated at the summit.”

Pictured center: Susan Listberger, Global Industry and Commercial Manager, Asphalt Solutions, Cargill.

Partners Continue to Invest in The Road Forward

In its first year, 2022, two dozen partners signed on to support The Road Forward. Every one of those first-year supporters renewed their commitment in 2023 to continue their financial and intellectual support of The Road Forward. They are:

Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC | Astec Industries | bp | Cargill Asphalt Solutions | Colas USA | Construction Partners, Inc. | CRH Americas Materials | Dow | Earthwave Technologies, Inc. | Gallagher Asphalt Corp. | Granite Construction | Holcim US | Ingevity | Kokosing Materials, Inc. | Kraton Corporation | Lindy Paving | M.U.C. Holdings, LLC | Peckham Industries, Inc. | Summit Materials | Surface Tech, LLC | Teichert Materials | Vinci Construction USA | Volvo Construction Equipment | Wirtgen America, Inc.

With six new partners enrolled so far in 2023, a total of 30 NAPA member companies are directly engaging with the challenges and opportunities of reaching net zero.

See the plan and all current partners at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward. New partners are welcome until August 1, when the 2023 partner cycle will close.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has partnered with XBE, a leading software company providing operations management solutions for the horizontal construction industry, to develop an AI-based service called ‘Hey NAPA,’ now available on NAPA’s website, AsphaltPavement.org, and at HeyNAPA.com. This innovative service offers NAPA members and industry stakeholders a faster and more efficient way to access the Association’s valuable content and technical documents on all aspects of asphalt pavements. Hey NAPA was unveiled today at NAPA’s Midyear Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., in an AI-focused session featuring XBE CEO Sean Devine.

The collaboration builds on the success of XBE’s ‘Hey Kayla’ service, which has transformed user education for XBE customers by providing instant, accurate answers to questions about the XBE platform. With Hey NAPA, members will have access to a powerful search engine that leverages AI technology to quickly and accurately provide answers, best practices, and document links based on NAPA content.

XBE created and will maintain the Hey NAPA search engine, ensuring its accuracy and efficiency, while NAPA provides the necessary publications and data to keep the engine current and monitor performance to continually enhance the user experience.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NAPA and bring our AI-driven technology to its members,” said Devine. “By leveraging our expertise and existing infrastructure, we’re confident that Hey NAPA will provide members with the quick, reliable answers they need, enabling them to make informed decisions and access NAPA’s excellent content more efficiently than ever before.”

Brett Williams, Director of Engineering & Technical Support at NAPA, added, “Our partnership with XBE is a testament to our shared commitment to provide NAPA members with superior resources and tools. We’re excited to see the positive impact Hey NAPA will have on our members and the industry as a whole.”

The Hey NAPA service revolutionizes the way NAPA members and industry stakeholders access crucial information, delivering better and faster answers than alternative methods, as demonstrated by the success of XBE’s Hey Kayla service.

About XBE

XBE is a groundbreaking software company that provides operations management solutions to the horizontal construction industry. Founded in 2016 by Sean Devine, XBE has grown to offer a comprehensive platform focusing on innovation, expertise, and leverage. XBE’s solutions include transportation management, planning, and continuous improvement capabilities that help clients reduce inefficiencies and increase profits.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has been honored with the 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for demonstrating exemplary commitment and dedication to leadership in energy efficiency and the ENERGY STAR program.

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.  “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

NAPA is working in partnership with EPA ENERGY STAR to develop resources to enable asphalt mixture producers and paving contractors to better understand their energy performance and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from their facilities. Such efforts include:

• Promoting ENERGY STAR partnership among NAPA members, with six becoming ENERGY STAR partners in 2022;
• Developing an Asphalt Plant Energy Performance Peer Exchange (APEX) program to share best practices and develop resources supporting energy management at asphalt plants;
• Publishing The Road Forward, an industry-wide vision for producing and constructing net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050;
• Supporting the development of an ENERGY STAR asphalt pavement plant energy performance indicator tool to assist asphalt mix producers measure and benchmark the energy performance of their plants; and
• Including a provision in the Product Category Rules for Asphalt Mixtures that allows Environmental Product Declarations for Asphalt Mixtures to include information about a company’s ENERGY STAR accomplishments (section 8.3.2).

“NAPA’s commitment to sustainability has taken on new prevalence with The Road Forward, and the APEX Program will be a key component for achieving those goals,” said President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Already, our partnership with ENERGY STAR is providing value by enabling NAPA members to learn best practices for managing and reducing energy consumption at asphalt plants throughout the country.”

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis, protecting public health, and creating a clean energy future for everyone.

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2023 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit EnergyStar.gov/AwardWinners.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) welcomes two experienced staff to its advocacy and engineering teams.

Nile Elam takes the advocacy helm as Vice President, Government Affairs, building on a 12-year advocacy career. Elam previously worked on legislative affairs and regulatory policy for other associations in the construction and transportation sectors. Notably, he was Senior Director, Energy and Resources Policy, at the National Association of Manufacturers; Director, Government Affairs, at the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (a partner in NAPA’s World of Asphalt Show & Conference, taking place in Nashville, Tenn., March 25-27, 2024); and Director, Legislative Affairs, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, among other government affairs positions.

As NAPA’s new government affairs staff lead, Elam represents the asphalt pavement industry before Congress, federal agencies, and stakeholder groups; oversees NAPA’s legislative and regulatory team; and staffs NAPA’s Political Action Committee, including implementation of a new individual Political Advocacy Membership approved by NAPA’s Board of Directors in November 2022.

“Having worked with NAPA on a variety of construction material and infrastructure issues over the years and supporting the Transportation Construction Coalition’s annual legislative fly-in, I experienced firsthand the scope and successes of the industry’s presence in Washington,” Elam said. “I am energized to build upon these achievements and lead NAPA’s advocacy with key policy stakeholders on Capitol Hill and in the Administration, addressing the issues critical to our members.”

Elam replaces Jay Hansen, who retires February 28 after a quarter century of dedicated service to NAPA members nationwide, most recently as Executive Vice President, Advocacy. Among Hansen’s greatest and most recent accomplishments were passage of historic legislation in 2021 vis-à-vis the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and passage of 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act, both of which avoided pavement type selection mandates. Additionally, Hansen has represented the organization and industry in national news outlets ranging from Marketplace to The New York Times. He also oversaw the founding of NAPA PAC along with NAPA’s current Chair of the Board, Christian Zimmermann of CRH Americas Materials.

“Most people pay no attention to what they drive on, even legislators,” said Hansen. “It’s been my honor to represent the industry and to educate people on the policy and practicality of asphalt pavement, from the halls of Congress to the media to individual members. It’s important that we as a nation don’t take our roads for granted. Nile will be an effective advocate for our continued prosperity.”

Read about Hansen’s storied career in Asphalt Pavement magazine.

Jean-Paul Fort also joins NAPA as Director, Pavement Engineering & Innovation. In this role, Fort works within NAPA’s Engineering, Research, & Technology team leading strategies to advance asphalt pavement technologies for value, quality, and innovation, as well as supporting deployment and rapid adoption of innovations.

Fort has years of expertise in asphalt road technologies and leadership in the industry. He supervised international road-building projects for clients such as the World Bank, facilitated adoption of European technologies in the United States, and led technical and laboratory efforts at Barrett Paving Materials, a Colas company, and Colas USA for the past two decades. Colas USA is a NAPA member and partner in The Road Forward, the industry’s vision for net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050, which Fort’s work will support.

Fort has been an active volunteer with NAPA as well as NCAT, the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University. He serves on the NCAT Steering Committee and on CAPRI, the Consortium for Asphalt Pavement Research and Implementation. Fort is also a member of the Association of Asphalt Pavement Technologists and the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Asphalt Pavement Construction and Rehabilitation.

“I am delighted to join the NAPA team to advance technical innovation and adaptation,” said Fort. “As an active NAPA member and volunteer, I’ve seen this team’s incredible work and look forward to directly contributing.”

Elam and Fort join NAPA staff as the organization’s new three-year strategic plan takes off. More information is available in NAPA’s 2022 Annual Report at NAPAAnnualReport.org.

“NAPA is a strong organization thanks to our incredible members and staff,” said President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “I have utmost confidence in Nile’s ability to lead our advocacy efforts and in Jean-Paul’s history of pavement innovation and implementation.”

(Photos available upon request.)

Nearly 1,000 attendees engaged with topics ranging from skiing to sustainability at the 68th Annual Meeting of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) in Miami Beach, Fla., February 5-8. Attendees included officials from asphalt mixture producers, equipment manufacturers, binder and additive suppliers, paving companies, sustainability experts, business consultants, federal agencies, and others from 47 states and the District of Columbia, The Bahamas, Canada, Italy, and Japan.

Asphalt and Skiing: What’s the Connection?

On February 6, NAPA’s 2023 National Officers were installed, including the swearing in of 2023 Chair of the Board Christian Zimmermann of Belmont, N.H. Zimmermann is New England Group President—comprised of Pike Industries, PJ Keating, and Tilcon Connecticut—for CRH Americas Materials. Zimmermann is the son of two former Olympians: Penny Pitou of the United States and Egon Zimmermann of Austria. Pitou was America’s first alpine skier, man or woman, to reach the Olympic podium in the downhill event; her silver medal at the 1960 Winter Games was the highest place finish in downhill for American women until Lindsey Vonn captured downhill gold 50 years later in Vancouver.

Attendees witnessed Vonn’s winning run on video as they welcomed her to the stage. Vonn sat down for an intimate conversation with Zimmermann and co-host Katie DeCarlo, a fellow athlete and engineer for Heritage Research Group. Vonn spoke of her perseverance despite injuries, naysayers, and elevated expectations—all of which motivated her to become one of the winningest skiers of all time and start her foundation to provide opportunities for young girls.

“It may seem an unlikely connection, having Lindsey Vonn speak at an asphalt meeting,” quipped Zimmermann, “but her drive and perseverance and dedication to extending a hand to the next generation all mirror what we in the asphalt pavement industry do. NAPA and our member companies succeed because we share those qualities. Our talented workforce applies them every day across this country.”

Strategic Accomplishments and a Vision for the Future

Zimmermann and outgoing Chairman James A. Mitchell, CEO of Superior Paving Corp. in Gainesville, Va., along with NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE, updated attendees on the association’s progress. Mitchell unveiled NAPA's 2022 Annual Report, while Zimmermann teased NAPA’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan. Copeland and NAPA staff recognized recent accomplishments—like the passage of federal legislation investing in surface infrastructure and the absence of pavement mandates from any such legislation. They also presented plans for the next three years to provide leadership and stewardship for the industry along with engagement opportunities for NAPA members, coalitions, and partners. Finally, Copeland and staff provided a retrospective on 10 years of research funded by the Pavement Economics Committee, supported jointly by NAPA and State Asphalt Pavement Associations (SAPAs) to strengthen industry research, prevent harmful legislation, and provide technical knowledge rooted in science.

“We’re excited to embark on this new strategic plan,” said Copeland, “because it reflects our successful member engagement of the past few years and is purposefully designed to chart the future we want to see for our industry and our country.”

Award-Winning Asphalt

On February 8, attendees gathered to celebrate best-in-class projects, celebrating the men and women who execute those projects coast to coast to keep America moving. Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and the Texas Department of Transportation Amarillo District were revealed winners of the Sheldon G. Hayes Award, the nation’s highest recognition for quality asphalt pavements, for their work on US 287 in Armstrong County, Texas. (For additional details, award winners were recognized in separate statements issued on February 8.)

Asphalt: The Sustainable Pavement

The annual gathering provided working sessions for NAPA’s governing bodies along with networking, an annual business meeting, and informative educational sessions. A significant theme this year was sustainability, following last year’s launch of The Road Forward, the industry’s vision for net zero emission asphalt pavements by 2050. Related sessions covered topics from environmental product declarations (EPDs) to the asphalt plant of the future, one of the most-attended and highest-rated sessions of NAPA’s Annual Meeting.

Future NAPA Meetings

NAPA will host an exhibit and the popular asphalt education track at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, North America’s largest construction trade show, March 14-18 in Las Vegas. The asphalt track consists of 16 asphalt-specific educational sessions including topics such as best practices in paving, using recycled materials in new asphalt pavements, new technologies in the industry, as well as more on EPDs.

NAPA’s Midyear Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., July 9-12, provides another opportunity for members, leaders, and influencers to advance the industry and enjoy more educational and networking opportunities in the City of Fountains.

The organization is already looking toward 2024—mark your calendar for NAPA’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Orlando, January 28-31, and a new Perpetual Pavement Conference coming to Louisville, Ky., that autumn. For updates to NAPA’s event schedule, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Programs or follow NAPA on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.

2023 Annual Meeting Sponsors

NAPA thanks the following sponsors for supporting the 2023 Annual Meeting.

• Arkema Road Science
• Astec Industries
• B2W Software
• BOMAG
• Caterpillar Paving Products
• Colas Inc.
• Command Alkon
• Construction Partners Inc.
• CRH Americas Materials Inc.
• Dow
• Dynapac
• Earthwave Technologies
• Gencor/Blaw-Knox
• HaulHub Technologies
• Herman Grant Company
• Kenco Engineering, Inc.
• Milestone Contractors LP
• National Credit Card Processing Group
• Payne and Dolan, a Walbec Group company
• Standard Filter Corporation
• Superior Paving Corp.
• Volvo Construction Equipment
• Vulcan Materials Company
• Weiler
• Wirtgen Group

At a ceremony during its 2023 Annual Meeting on February 8, the National Asphalt Pavement Association recognized 2022 award winners and honorees who advance the asphalt pavement industry. Please follow links for full releases.

• Winner of the Sheldon G. Hayes Award, the nation’s top award for asphalt paving: Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and Texas DOT Amarillo District
• Winner of the Ray Brown Airport Pavement Award for airfields: S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson, N.C.
• 10 wining projects of the Larry H. Lemon Quality in Construction Awards:
  • APAC-Kansas Inc., A CRH Company, of Hutchinson, Kan.
  • Gerken Paving Inc. of Napoleon, Ohio
  • Granite Construction Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.
  • Payne & Dolan Inc., a Walbec Group Co., of Gladstone, Mich.
  • Preferred Materials Inc., A CRH Company, of Tampa, Fla.
  • Rogers Group Inc. of Huntsville, Ala.
  • Shelly & Sands Inc. of Zanesville, Ohio, for four projects
• Operational Excellence Award winners
  • Environmental Leadership: Gallagher Asphalt Corp, Thornton, Ill.
  • Community Involvement: Callanan Industries Inc., A CRH Co., Albany, N.Y., and Lehman-Roberts/Memphis Stone & Gravel, Memphis, Tenn.
• Exceptional Volunteer Award honoree Ron Sines, P.E., CRH Americas Materials
• Posthumous honoree of the Associate Member Commendation: Jeffrey Richmond, Sr.

Survey Shows 95 Percent of RAP Is Reused in New Pavement

The results are in, and asphalt is once again the country’s most recycled product.

NAPA’s 12th industry survey examining the use of recycled materials and warm-mix asphalt (WMA) in paving reveals that 95 percent of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is reused in new pavement. The average percentage of RAP used in mixtures increased to nearly 22 percent in 2021, compared with 15.6 percent in 2009, the first year of the survey.

The survey, which also evaluates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, found that annual RAP usage saved 2.6 million metric tons of CO2e—the equivalent of removing 570,000 passenger vehicles from the road.

According to the Asphalt Pavement Industry Survey on Recycled Materials and Warm-Mix Asphalt Usage: 2021, producers used 94.6 million tons of RAP in asphalt production in 2021, conserving 26 million barrels of asphalt binder while replacing in excess of 89 million tons of virgin aggregate. When combined with the savings realized through the use of 630,000 tons of reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS), the study estimates that producers saved more than $3.5 billion while freeing up nearly 62 million cubic yards of landfill space. 

“The latest Asphalt Pavement Industry Survey on Recycled Materials and Warm-Mix Asphalt Usage has new data, but a familiar conclusion: Our industry takes sustainability seriously,” said NAPA Chairman of the Board James Mitchell, CEO of Superior Paving Corp. “Quantifying our impact in this way began in 2009 through partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and each year it reveals that the asphalt pavement industry is a leader in connecting the country while keeping waste out of landfills.”

Using data from 261 companies, the survey also tracks usage of another 1.3 million tons of other recycled materials incorporated into nearly 9.2 million tons of asphalt pavement mixtures, including recycled tire rubber (RTR), blast furnace slag, steel slag, and cellulose fibers. 

In addition to RAP and RAS, the survey documents usage of warm-mix asphalt (WMA), a technique used to produce 177.9 million tons of mix, or roughly 41 percent of the total estimated asphalt mixture market in 2021. While this represents a 5 percent reduction from the 186.4 million WMA tons reported in 2020, the authors note that WMA tonnage is up almost tenfold from 2009.

“The 2021 survey results show that the asphalt pavement mixture production industry has a strong record of sustainable practices and continues to innovate through the use of recycled materials and WMA,” the authors write, noting that stockpiled RAP to the tune of 137.5 million tons nationwide could mean there are opportunities to increase the amount of RAP used in mixtures.

“NAPA members have led the way in reusing pavements and engineering innovations like warm-mix asphalt,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “The increased implementation of these technological solutions demonstrates how our industry continually works together with suppliers, road owners, and the best available science to find and implement climate-friendly innovations that work for the public good.”

Survey data come from 1,388 production plants representing 261 companies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and was gathered between January and August 2022. The final survey report is available, along with prior annual reports, at AsphaltPavement.org/Recycling.

NAPA is now gathering data from asphalt mix producers across the country for the 2022 construction season survey on the use of recycled materials and WMA at SurveyMonkey.com/r/RMWMA_22.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) welcomes CertainTeed as its newest partner in The Road Forward, an industry-wide vision for sustainable communities and commerce. This partnership helps fund ongoing efforts to engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community, driving forward the milestone of achieving net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050. 

A new NAPA Associate member, 110-year-old CertainTeed is headquartered in Malvern, Pa. With a purpose to Make the World a Better Home, CertainTeed and its parent company Saint-Gobain are committed to harnessing the power of materials that consider future resources and realities, believing that how they build requires new ways of thinking and new ways of doing.  

Earlier this year, CertainTeed Roofing acquired the rights to technology from recycling partner Asphaltica, enabling the company to recycle and pelletize post-industrial and post-consumer shingle waste for use in asphalt paving mix. Asphaltica’s technology enhances the recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) process with pre-treatment and rejuvenation, turning asphalt shingles into a material that more closely resembles virgin raw materials, reducing cracking and stripping in the pavement—historically a challenge when using shingle waste for paving purposes. 

CertainTeed and its parent company Saint-Gobain are committed to educating stakeholders on the sustainability benefits, effectiveness, and technological advancements of using pelletized asphalt shingle waste in asphalt paving, which mirrors the vision set forth in The Road Forward. Saint-Gobain’s SBTi validated sustainability goals are to reduce scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 33% by 2030 and to be net-zero by 2050, while also working toward zero landfilled waste. Additionally, CertainTeed is committed to contributing to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association’s (ARMA) goal to reduce landfill disposal of asphalt-based roofing materials by 50% by 2035 and to approach 0% by 2050. 

“We are impressed by NAPA’s commitment to net zero emissions for the asphalt paving industry and with the deep materials expertise among NAPAs membership,” said Carmen Bodden, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Roofing. “We believe that the solutions of tomorrow must deliver on both sustainability and performance, and we share NAPA’s view that increasing the use of recycled materials in asphalt pavement is a key strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” 

“We are grateful to CertainTeed for their support of The Road Forward and the sustainability leadership they demonstrate within their company,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Their legacy and innovation advance our collective efforts to reach net zero by 2050.”  

The Road Forward brings together the entire U.S. asphalt community to conduct research, implementation, and ongoing education. The Road Forward Partners actively support this work through financial contributions, leadership, and expertise. Partnerships are available to NAPA member companies on an annual basis and are closed for 2023 but will reopen in January 2024. Visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward to learn more about the initiative, access the latest research, and view all supporting Partners. 

About CertainTeed 

With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home. 

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The group had total sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2021. www.certainteed.com. 

About Saint-Gobain 

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”. 

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) welcomes Arkema as its newest partner in The Road Forward, an industry-wide vision for sustainable communities and commerce. Their partnership will help fund ongoing efforts to engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050.

A NAPA Associate member since 2010, Arkema provides the asphalt pavement industry with products ranging from specialty surfactants to pavement technologies, including warm-mix and adhesion-promoting additives, emulsifiers, and strain-tolerant, crack-resistant pavement layers. Lowering carbon emissions, optimizing the use of recycled materials, promoting pavement preservation, and the advancement of environmental stewardship and sustainability in the industry are among Arkema’s key initiatives. Arkema’s Infrastructure business is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.

Arkema staff, ranging from lab experts to the C-suite, have volunteered with NAPA for the past decade to advance the industry in capacities such as NAPA’s Net Zero Task Force, Balance Mixed Design (BMD) Implementation Task Force, and Legislative Committee, among others.

“Arkema is dedicated to being a sustainability leader and focused on further developing solutions that meet the industry’s current and future social challenges. Our mission is to provide the asphalt industry innovative solutions that drive sustainability,” said Ivann Harnish, Business Director, Americas Infrastructure. “We are proud supporters of The Road Forward and are aligned with its goals.”

“We are grateful to Arkema for their support of The Road Forward and the sustainability leadership they demonstrate within their company,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Their legacy and innovation advance our collective efforts to reach net zero by 2050.”

The Road Forward is comprised of four industry goals, supported by 19 tactics, with investments in research, implementation, and ongoing education across all facets of the asphalt pavement industry. The initiative brings together the entire U.S. asphalt community, from companies like Arkema to road owners and agencies at all levels. The Road Forward Partners actively support this work through financial contributions, leadership, and expertise. 2023 Partnerships are available to NAPA member companies through August 1. Visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward to learn more about the initiative, access the latest research, and become a supporting Partner.

Arkema content used with permission.

About Arkema

Building on its extraordinary expertise in materials science, Arkema offers a portfolio of first-class technologies to address ever-growing demand for new and sustainable materials. With the ambition to become in 2024 a pure player in Specialty Materials, the Arkema Group is structured into three complementary, resilient, and highly innovative segments dedicated to Specialty Materials - Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Coating Solutions - accounting for some 91% of Group sales in 2022, and a well-positioned and competitive Intermediates segment. Arkema offers cutting-edge technological solutions to meet the challenges of, among other things, new energies, access to water, recycling, urbanization, and mobility, and fosters an ongoing dialogue with all its stakeholders. The Group reported sales of around €11.5 billion ($12.1 billion USD) in 2022 and operates in some 55 countries with 21,100 employees worldwide.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) welcomes two new partner companies—Colorbiotics and George Reed, Inc.—in its industry-wide vision for sustainable communities and commerce, The Road Forward. Their investments in The Road Forward will help fund ongoing efforts to engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050.

Colorbiotics impacts multiple industries, including asphalt additives and topicals, to promote the expansion of sustainability. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, they use a specially developed science built from soybeans to efficiently restore flexibility of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and extend the service life of asphalt products. This environmentally friendly soybean technology is the first rejuvenator that works at the molecular level, transforming a mix of up to 45% RAP from the inside out to reverse the effects of oxidation and make what was old new again.

An Associate member of NAPA since 2020, Colorbiotics has committed to The Road Forward for two years to help further their mission and continue to find more sustainable solutions.

“Colorbiotics is excited to do its part in educating the industry about carbon emissions. Partnering with this NAPA initiative fits with the steps our company is taking to develop products that will help lower the carbon footprint, from our state-of-the-art plastic recycling facility to developing soybean-based science that increases RAP usage, while also being 100% USDA biobased certified,” said Kent Rotert, Vice President of Colorbiotics. “The Road Forward is at the heart of what we do day after day.”

George Reed, Inc. has been a NAPA Producer member since 2019. Corporate Asphalt Manager Jordan Reed serves on NAPA’s Board of Directors as the Vice Chair for the Advisory Council Western region and is the State Advisor for California. He also serves on the Council for Engineering, Research, & Sustainability and the World of Asphalt Management Committee.

Headquartered in Modesto, Calif., the company operates quarries and asphalt plants throughout Central California. Along with its sister companies, 7-11 Materials, VSS International, and Reed International, they operate asphalt terminals as well as emulsion and concrete plants, and produce construction equipment under the trade names VSS Macropaver, Kasi Infrared, and Stepp Manufacturing. Environmental sustainability and stewardship are embedded in the company’s core values in all operations of The Reed Family Companies.

“We encourage everyone on our team to contribute to environmental stewardship through reducing waste, recycling materials, conserving energy, preserving and restoring natural habitats, and promoting sustainable practices,” said Jeff Reed, CEO of The Reed Family Companies. “Joining The Road Forward is another way in which we foster a culture of environmental responsibility and create a positive legacy for future generations.”

“We are grateful to Colorbiotics and George Reed, Inc. for their support of The Road Forward and the sustainability leadership they demonstrate within their unique companies,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “The combined legacy and innovation espoused by these two companies advances our collective efforts to reach net zero by 2050.”

The Road Forward is comprised of four industry goals, supported by 19 tactics, with investments in research, implementation, and ongoing education across all facets of the asphalt pavement industry. The initiative brings together the entire U.S. asphalt community, from companies like Colorbiotics and George Reed, Inc. to road owners and agencies at all levels. The Road Forward Partners actively support this work through financial contributions, leadership, and expertise. 2023 Partnerships are available to NAPA member companies through August 1. Visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward to learn more about the initiative, access the latest research, and become a supporting Partner.

About Colorbiotics

For the last 30 years, Colorbiotics has led the pack in bringing innovative ideas to life across industries, with a special focus on sustainability. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Colorbiotics used one of the state’s most prominent resources, soybeans, to develop a groundbreaking science that changes the way asphalt is made and what it’s made with. This soybean-based technology triggers chemical reactions in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), paving the way for jobsites to be more cost effective and environmentally friendly. To learn more about Colorbiotics and their work, visit www.colorbiotics.com.

About George Reed Inc.

George Reed began a construction business with his father and brother in the 1920s. They separated and he founded George Reed, Inc. in 1944 with his wife Rose on a reputation for integrity and respect for customers and co-workers. Their son, Wendell, joined the business in 1953 and together began building George Reed, Inc. into a vertically integrated construction and materials business with the addition of sand and gravel plants, quarries, asphalt plants, and concrete ready-mix operations with the belief that “there is nothing we do today, that we can’t do better tomorrow.” In the 1970s the third generation, Jeffrey, joined the business and expanded to include pavement preservation, emulsion and asphalt terminals, and international construction equipment manufacturing. Now, with the addition of fourth generation owners Jordan and Matthew, The Reed Family Companies continue to expand and acquire related enterprises and resources.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) welcomes Sapphire Gas Solutions (Sapphire) to The Road Forward Partner Program. Sapphire’s support of the initiative will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in producing net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Conroe, Texas, Sapphire has provided mobile and permanent gas solutions to almost every industry, including the asphalt pavement industry, with locations serviced nationwide. Sapphire focuses on gas supply and energy transition solutions for public utilities, primary gas supply for mobile and permanent asphalt plants, as well as commercial and industrial (C&I) users. Sapphire also provides renewable natural gas (RNG) services and helps companies transition on-road operations with compressed natural gas (CNG) station construction.

As an active NAPA Associate member, Sapphire’s team volunteers on NAPA committees and subcommittees such as Environmental, Legislative, Sustainability, and Plant Operations.

“Sapphire Gas Solutions is excited to be part of the solution as the asphalt industry paves The Road Forward toward a cleaner and more efficient tomorrow,” said Scott Johns, EVP of Corporate Development at Sapphire. “As an active member of NAPA for several years, we see how the legislative framework is winding the road toward zero emissions. We are strategically positioned to assist the asphalt pavement industry in meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while maintaining and expanding our nation’s critical infrastructure to benefit the present and future.”

“Reducing emissions through renewable, readily available, and innovative energy solutions is a goal of The Road Forward,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE, “so we’re excited to welcome Sapphire Gas Solutions to The Road Forward. Their support propels our collective vision for sustainable communities and commerce connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements.”

For more information about The Road Forward, including 2023 partnership opportunities, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About Sapphire Gas Solutions

Sapphire Gas Solutions is an alternative natural gas company that simplifies the transition to lower cost and cleaner energy. We combine our expertise and workforce with the industry’s leading technologies and hardware to design and deliver energy and power solutions that make financial, operational, and environmental sense. Sapphire’s mobile and permanent fleet of Liquefied Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, and Renewable Natural Gas equipment is deployed to over fifty asphalt plants nationwide utilizing our robust virtual pipeline network; Sapphire brings the energy transition to you.

XBE, an innovator in operations management software for the horizontal construction industry, has joined The Road Forward, an initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) to advance the production and construction of net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050.

XBE has been a NAPA Associate member since 2019. Grant Wollenhaupt, Chief Commercial Officer, has been involved with NAPA since 2012, serving on the Net Zero and Balanced Mix Design Task Forces, among others. XBE actively supports NAPA events and member engagement. XBE is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, where NAPA’s 2023 Midyear Meeting takes place July 9-12.

XBE is proud to work with 13 NAPA producer members, two of whom are partners in The Road Forward: Gallagher Asphalt (Illinois) and Peckham Industries (New York).

“We’ve been customers of XBE since 2019. In those four years, their software and partnership has optimized our crew and equipment scheduling, daily job production, and trucking operations,” said Dan Gallagher, CEO of Gallagher Asphalt. “I reached out to Sean in January and asked him to join The Road Forward. Their scientific management approach is just what’s needed for us to be successful together.”

Peckham Industries, an inaugural partner in The Road Forward, said in a statement, “Peckham is excited to build on our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence by partnering with XBE to improve efficiencies across our crew, plant, and logistics divisions.”

"With XBE's partnership in The Road Forward, we can tackle the challenge of reducing carbon emissions in the asphalt pavement industry together. Our robust platform makes the opportunities visible and improvements possible. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement towards a sustainable future. It would have been great to solve this problem 25 years ago, but the second best time is now," said Sean Devine, Founder & CEO, XBE.

XBE’s support of The Road Forward will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in producing net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

“We are proud to welcome XBE and their innovative spirit to The Road Forward,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE, “because innovation has always been at the heart of the asphalt pavement industry and will be a driving force for reducing carbon emissions.

“Their support propels our collective vision for sustainable communities and commerce connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements,” added Copeland.

For more information about The Road Forward, including 2023 partnership opportunities, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About XBE

XBE enables the scientific management of horizontal construction leaders through its incomparable software platform. The best run on us. For more information, visit www.x-b-e.com.

Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) joined The Road Forward, an industry-wide initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) to achieve net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

Through HC+M’s decades of research into pavement preservation technologies, HC+M has proven itself as an industry leader in sustainability efforts. “HC+M is committed to sustainability because it’s the right thing to do and because it’s smart business,” said HC+M CEO Geoff Dillon. “The Road Forward is an important commitment for us and our industry. It shows that we aren’t afraid to roll up our sleeves and work to build a better tomorrow for future generations.”

HC+M is a part of The Heritage Group, a 90-year-old family of companies employing more than 5,000 people, serving 170 locations, and innovating through science and research. HC+M is comprised of US Aggregates, Milestone Contractors, and Asphalt Materials, Inc.

HC+M companies have a long history of involvement with NAPA. Asphalt Materials joined NAPA in 1961. Milestone, a member since 1967, has earned more than three dozen Quality in Construction Awards and one Sheldon G. Hayes Award, signifying the company’s commitment to quality asphalt pavements.

Similarly, HC+M leaders consistently devote their time and expertise to NAPA and the industry. Heritage Research Group (HRG) Associate Director of Research Gerry Huber has served on numerous NAPA committees and task forces for nearly three decades, including the Sustainability Committee and the Climate Stewardship Task Force. Gerry and HRG Senior Pavement Materials Research Engineer Katie DeCarlo worked on developing The Road Forward. CJ Potts, COO of HC+M Construction, serves as the Indiana contractor representative on the Northcentral Advisory Council. Milestone Contractors Asphalt Operations Manager Patrick Fox is a member of NAPA’s Board of Directors. Kevin Kelly, former NAPA chair and lifetime member, and many other HC+M employees are active members of NAPA committees.

“Heritage Construction + Materials, through its family of companies, has displayed a commitment to the asphalt pavement industry over many decades,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “HC+M’s support of The Road Forward further propels our collective vision for the future: sustainable communities and commerce, connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements.”

Additional opportunities for NAPA member companies to join The Road Forward will become available following NAPA’s Annual Meeting, kicking off February 5 in Miami Beach, Fla. Learn more about these partnership opportunities and the industry’s net zero goals at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About Heritage Construction + Materials

Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) is part of The Heritage Group, a privately held, family-owned business headquartered in Indianapolis that began operations in 1930. HC+M has core capabilities in infrastructure building. Its collection of companies provides innovative road construction and materials services across the Midwest. HC+M companies, including Milestone Contractors, Asphalt Materials, Inc., and US Aggregates, proudly employ 3,000 people at 55 locations across seven states. Learn more at heritagebuilds.com.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has joined The Road Forward, an industry-wide initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) to achieve net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

Volvo CE is a longtime NAPA member, having joined in 1956. Chad Fluent, Product Planning Manager – Compaction, represents Volvo CE on NAPA’s Associate Member Council.

The Volvo CE commitment to The Road Forward aligns with the company’s own sustainability framework, which includes reaching net zero emissions by 2040 using Science Based Targets (SBTi), rethinking existing production and consumption patterns working toward zero waste, and putting the health, safety, and wellbeing of people at its core.

With 180 years of experience, Volvo CE continues developing products and solutions with innovation and sustainability in mind—for example, building the first construction machine made of fossil-free steel.

“Our goal at Volvo is to help build the future we want to live in, and The Road Forward has a big part to play in that future,” said Fluent. “I’m thrilled we have partnered with NAPA to work toward these important goals.”

The Road Forward and Volvo CE also share the goal of engaging the entire asphalt community: employees, customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and decision makers. NAPA welcomes Volvo’s commitment to The Road Forward and to helping the asphalt pavement industry advance toward net zero emission asphalt pavements.

In supporting The Road Forward, Volvo CE is providing industry leadership on climate action. Their support will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in reaching net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

“Having committed stakeholders across the asphalt pavement industry, including equipment manufacturers like Volvo Construction Equipment, is critical to achieve our net zero goals,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Support from Volvo CE propels our vision for the future: sustainable communities and commerce, connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements.”

New opportunities for NAPA member companies to join The Road Forward will become available in February. Learn more about the initiative, the industry’s goals, and partnership details at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About Volvo CE 

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is a leading international manufacturer of premium construction equipment, and with over 14,000 employees, it is one of the largest companies in the industry. Volvo CE offers a wide range of products and services in more than 140 countries through its global distribution network. Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group. The Volvo Group drives prosperity through transport solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase our customers’ uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs 105,000 people and serves customers in more than 190 markets.

Support Grows for Net Zero Asphalt Pavements

bp has joined The Road Forward, an industry-wide initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), to achieve net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements. bp is a longtime NAPA member, having joined in 1957.

bp’s commitment to The Road Forward further demonstrates the company’s history of innovation and helping customers achieve their goals. bp’s Whiting, Ind. refinery is a large asphalt producing refinery in the Midwest, with modern and flexible access for shipping asphalt throughout North America.

bp’s support will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in its work to produce net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

“We are excited to welcome bp, a longtime NAPA member and innovative global energy company, to The Road Forward,” remarked NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Their support propels our vision for the future: sustainable communities and commerce, connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements.”

Learn more about The Road Forward and the industry’s goals at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About bp

bp’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero. bp has a larger economic footprint in the United States than anywhere else in the world, investing more than $130 billion in the economy and supporting about 245,000 jobs. For more information on bp in the US, visit www.bp.com/us.

Initiative Aims to Produce Net Zero Asphalt Pavements by 2050

Vinci Construction USA and its subsidiaries have joined The Road Forward, an industry-wide initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) to achieve net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

Their companies have been NAPA members for more than two decades. Allen Hendricks, Vice President at Blythe Construction in North Carolina, serves on NAPA’s Sustainability Committee and the Climate Stewardship Task Force, which developed The Road Forward. Vinci Construction USA employees have also served on the Awards, Environmental, Health & Safety, and various technical committees.

They continue to be avid supporters of NAPA’s Diamond and Award programs. Most recently, Northeast Paving Co. LLC in Pittsburgh, a Vinci Construction USA subsidiary, captured the 2021 Sheldon G. Hayes Award, the industry’s most prestigious paving recognition.

Vinci Construction USA’s commitment to The Road Forward demonstrates its vison to improve the communities they serve. Vinci Construction USA’s network includes nearly 40 asphalt mix production plants and other road-building material facilities, all aimed at supporting a circular economy.

In supporting The Road Forward, Vinci Construction USA is providing industry leadership on climate action. Their support will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in producing net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

Learn more about The Road Forward and the industry’s goals at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About Vinci Construction USA

Vinci Construction USA encompasses operations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. Vinci Construction USA is part of Vinci Construction’s international operations. Parent company VINCI is forging a sustainable world, operating in nearly 120 countries with a revenue of more than €49 billion and 260,000 employees worldwide.

Dow is the newest supporter of The Road Forward, an initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) that has the aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions for the asphalt pavement industry.

Dow’s commitment to The Road Forward further demonstrates the company’s 125-year history of innovation. Dow’s asphalt modifiers, such as the ELVALOY™ Reactive Elastomeric Terpolymer (RET) family of elastomers, help engineers, specifiers, and laydown contractors achieve safer, more sustainable roadways by allowing the use of increased levels of recycled content without impacting roadway performance.

In supporting The Road Forward, Dow is providing industry leadership on climate action. The company’s support will help fund NAPA’s ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in producing net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

Dow’s sustainability targets include a significant reduction of carbon emissions and efforts to transform the waste and close the loop for plastics. These targets align with Dow’s purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through materials science—with particular focus in climate protection, circular economy, and safer materials.

“Dow is committed to increasing sustainability and partnering with NAPA’s Committee for Asphalt Research & Technology and Plastics Task Force, which is critical to our commitment to the industry’s net zero vision,” said C.J. DuBois, Dow Senior TS&D Scientist, and Dow’s representative to NAPA. “Joining The Road Forward is an example of Dow’s leadership in helping reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.”

Learn more about The Road Forward and the industry’s goals at AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.

About The Road Forward

An initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry calls on the U.S. asphalt community to advance technologies, products, and processes to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Launched in January 2022, the multi-year effort will engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.