AEMA & IBEF Host the 8th ISAET in Washington D.C.

Coming together for the 8^th International Symposium on Asphalt Emulsion Technology (ISAET ’24), the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA) and International Bitumen Emulsion Federation (IBEF) met in Washington D.C., USA, November 4-6, 2024, for a symposia dedication to the international emulsion industry. Attendees and speakers included various technical experts from 13 different countries.

Chaired by Gaylon Baumgardner with Paragon Technical Services and current President of IBEF, ISAET ’24 provided attendees with case studies demonstrating the implementation of research into practice and fostering discussion on producing better performing and cost-effective asphalt emulsions.

ISAET ’24 started Monday afternoon with Baumgardner welcoming attendees who came from near and far. Monday afternoon’s session focused on asphalt emulsion, the new developments and designs, and modeling. Guillaume Rousseau, Chemoran, focused on the asphalt emulsion markets worldwide. Arlis Kadrmas, BASF Corporation, discussed a sustainability white paper on asphalt emulsions with included construction, content, and reviews. Next, Shafer Soars with Arkema looked at solving three biggest micro surfacing challenges. Dr. Andrew Braham, University of Arkansas, shared information on the new TREAT (Teaching and Researching Emulsified Asphalt Treatments) Program.  Next attendees heard from Julissa Larios Rodriguez, University of Nevada, Reno, on balanced mix design for cold in place recycling using engineer emulsions. Aaron Walker, Ingevity, then discussed bitumen emulsifier chemistry and its impact on performance. Andreas Sinthern, Buckau-Wolf/Supraton finished Monday’s session sharing information on field study that focused on mill factor contribution to particle size and distribution.

Tuesday morning’s session focused on pavement preservation techniques including performance, design, and new laboratory testing methods. Dr. Braham started the morning by reviewing refining particle size specifications for asphalt emulsion. Next Guillaume Jobard and Bruno Marcant, both with ValoChem, presented on cold mix asphalt formulation which included the process and performance with various levels of RAP. Rita Nasr, Crafco Inc., discussed laboratory methods and specification to test tack coat materials. Bert Jan Lommerts and Quanxin Xu, both with XiYueFa Group, discussed micro-sealing which is a sprayable, machine-applied, mineral-filled bitumen emulsion technology for the preservation of asphalt pavements. Quimi-Kao Company’s Alvaro Guiterrez shared information on new test methods for quality control of asphalt emulsions used in chip seal application. The final presentation for this session was from Riza Gabriela Bonifacio, KB Emulsion, on the development of HIRP method for manufacturing high-solid content for asphalt emulsions.

Tuesday’s afternoon session, which focused on the applications of asphalt emulsion based techniques, started with Lommerts and Xu presenting on bio-based emulsification enhancement technology and its application in high performance, a highly polymer modified bitumen emulsions. Next, Claude Giorgi with Eiffage Infrastructures GD presented on decarbonizing road techniques with bitumen emulsion which focused on feedback and the roadmap in France. Ingevity’s Stephane Charmot discussed experience with rapid asphalt concrete overlay of cold recycled mixtures with bitumen emulsion on high traffic roadways. Adeoluwa Gbolade, University of Oklahoma, reviewed discussions from life cycle assessment focusing on emulsion-based cold central plant recycling as a sustainable pavement rehabilitation alternative. Closing Tuesday, attendees heard from Fabien Le Corre, SurfactGreen, on designing a novel versatile bio-based cationic surfactant by green chemistry to address the formulation variability of fast-breaking bitumen emulsions.

The last session of ISAET ’24 took place on Wednesday morning with the session focusing on applications of emulsion-based techniques. Andew Hanz, MKE Services, Inc. provided an update on fog seal as a rejuvenating sealer and its aging performance. Next, Justin Suda with McAsphalt Industries Limited, discussed the development and field testing of a residential slurry seal using a highly modified asphalt emulsion. Then, attendees heard from Rosita Martinez with Ergon Asfaltos Mexico on base stabilization with half warm mixes. And finally, ISAET ’24 closed with Baumgardner sharing information on the steps to reduce the use of cutback asphalt in pavement maintenance and preservation.

ISAET ’24 could not have been made possible without the support from its sponsors. AEMA and IBEF would like to provide a special thank you to all our sponsors. Thank you to Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions for sponsoring the Mobile App. Tuesday’s Breaks were sponsored by BASF Corporation. And thank you to the General Sponsors that included Albina Asphalt, Arkema, KAO, Nouryon, Paragon Technical Services, Inc., and Terry Asphalt Materials, Inc.

ISAET ’24 was a great success for all. AEMA and IBEF are working to start planning for the 9^th ISAET in a few years. More information will be available soon.