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BASF’s Butonal® NX 1138 latex used in road project to demonstrate benefits of
state-of-the-art warm-mix asphalt technology
Longer road life, less energy needed, fewer harmful emissions, less
odor
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, July 18, 2007 – McAsphalt Industries Limited of Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, in conjunction with King Paving of Burlington, Ontario,
recently repaved a north section of Garth Street in Hamilton, Ontario, to
demonstrate to Hamilton’s public works department the key benefits of a new
asphalt road technology.
“This innovative technology from MeadWestvaco Corporation called Evotherm
warm-mix asphalt provides an outstanding package of benefits to the environment
and the public,” said Keith Davidson, Director of Technical Services for
McAsphalt (www.mcasphalt.com). “Using
it, we can make roads that should last longer and use less energy doing it. In
addition, since we can work and place the asphalt at 240°F, as opposed to 325°F
for conventional asphalt, the operation emits fewer volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and odors. Using this technology the public benefits from fewer traffic
delays from roadwork and less impact on the environment.”
“High temperatures make asphalt brittle and age prematurely, said Koichi
Takamura, Senior Research Associate in BASF’s Charlotte Technical Center in
North Carolina. “The ability to work the asphalt at a lower temperature,
made possible by use of Evotherm warm-mix technology and enhanced by BASF’s
Butonalâ NX 1138 styrene-butadiene latex, is the reason that the warm mix
asphalt road can last years longer.”
BASF research shows that by using latex modified Evotherm, the asphalt plant
mixing and application temperatures are lowered and result in less oxidative
aging and heat hardening of the asphalt binder in the mix. This work also
suggests that the use of Evotherm warm mix emulsion instead of hot asphalt
cement could provide an additional two to five years of service life to a
road.
This trial is part of a repaving effort by the City of Hamilton on the north
and south lanes of Garth Street. McAsphalt has repaved the two north lanes
using conventional hot mix asphalt cement and the two south lanes using the
Evotherm warm mix technology employing BASF’s Butonalâ NX 1138
styrene-butadiene latex.
In order to compare the two technologies, the city of Hamilton has hired an
asphalt expert to study how well the new surface performs. McAsphalt also
plans to study this road over time. At the end of the study, the
University of Waterloo and McAsphalt’s Keith Davidson will do a life cycle cost
analysis to demonstrate the value of this technology.
“We believe that this test will clearly demonstrate that the asphalt
warm-mix road lasts significantly longer, has fewer longitudinal joints that
open up, and cost less over its life,” said Davidson. “Combined with the
environmental and energy benefits, this technology is a win for everyone.”
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you
buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American
affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs more than 15,500 in
North America and had sales of approximately $14.3 billion in 2006. For more
information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive
news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural
products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner
to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system
solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new
technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up
additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with
environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a
better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of
€52.6 billion (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information
on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
For more information contact:
Bill Pagano
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 245-6071
E-mail: william.pagano@basf.com
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