Addressing Past Failures of RAS
Our achievement is best appreciated in the context of the storied history of attempts to use RAS in asphalt pavement, which dates back to the 1990s. Unfortunately, initial attempts were not accompanied by sufficient research into the effects of RAS on the durability and performance of asphalt pavement. Issues such as premature cracking, stripping, and raveling occured in pavements containing RAS, leading to a steep decline in the use of RAS after its 2014 peak.
The failures led to piles of unused asphalt shingles that HMA producers were no longer willing to take. According to the EPA, 15.1 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated annually, with 13 million of those tons going to landfills. RenuCore's successful method of pelletizing RAS for use in asphalt shingles provides a sustainable solution that keeps RAS out of landfills while providing HMA producers with quality materials for use in high quality asphalt pavement.
Innovation Rooted in Determination
The journey began with two visionaries - a seasoned asphalt expert and his entrepreneurial partner - determined to overcome the challenges of incorporating recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) into pavement. With over 60 years of combined expertise in hot mix asphalt (HMA) and material pelletization, they embarked on a process of extensive trial and error to tackle the obstacles that had previously hindered RAS integration.
Together, CertainTeed and the inventors behind this breakthrough technology share a core belief: anything worth doing is worth doing well - even if doing it well takes time. This principle has guided our success and will continue to drive our growth and innovation for years to come.
Overcoming Roadblocks on the Journey to Sustainability
This technology combines advanced capabilities, innovative IP, and skilled industry professionals to overcome the challenges that tripped up previous efforts to incorporate RAS into asphalt paving, including:
| Before | RenuCore by CertainTeed | |
| Oxidation | Asphalt oil in shingles was too oxidized for HMA. | Process concentrates on the RAS to soften the asphalt binder, resulting in paving grade asphalt. |
| Handling | Airborne fiberglass is encapsulated was present and reagglomeration was common. | Pellets handle like gravel and are introduced similar to RAP. |
| Consistency | Feed rate of HMA was inconsistent. | Improved pellet size and added a screen deck. |
| Rejuvenation | Rejuvenators didn't react effectively with hard RAS in the HMA process. | Pellets disperse in HMA process, mixing readily with virgin asphalt. |
| Storage | Ground RAS clumped over time and required grinding. | By concentrating on the shingles and letting them marinate, recycling agent interacts directly with oxidized oil in the RAS and doesn't affect the virgin binder the mixing process. |
| Durability | Oxidation decreases pavement life. | Softened asphalt in the pellets is found to improve pavement durability. |
Where Innovation Meets Accuracy:
Our Commitment to Testing
Our Commitment to Testing
We're committed to continuous research and engineering so you can save money. Our pelletizing technology provides producers and contractors with a high quality, long term storage, performance grade (PG) asphalt product that saves money by using less of the expensive virgin material required by traditional asphalt production
PG Grade of Recovered Asphalt
PG Grade of Recovered AC from HMA
