A Letter from President, Matt Kennedy

• Synergy Group & RoadResource.org: The PPRA Synergy team (AEMA + ARRA + ISSA) continues to drive enhancements for RoadResource.org, our industry’s digital resource hub. The site provides technical reference information, decision tools, and network optimization calculators. It is built and maintained by dozens of volunteers and industry leaders. Learn more about RoadResource.org. Recent work includes refining content under “Treatment Toolbox,” improving interactive diagrams, and prioritizing usability for agencies and other decisionmakers. Learn more on how this free resource helps roadway owners.
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): In response to growing market and regulatory demands for sustainability transparency, AEMA has been actively leading the industry’s efforts to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for asphalt emulsion treatments. This work is essential to demonstrating the environmental benefits of our products through credible, third-party verified data — particularly as owners, DOTs, and federal agencies begin requiring EPDs for material selection and funding eligibility.

• Developed data collection frameworks specific to asphalt emulsions and emulsion-based treatments, ensuring our industry's unique processes and products are accurately captured.
• Collaborated with a third-party LCA consultant to establish a path forward for industry-average EPDs based on ISO 21930 standards and Product Category Rules (PCR) tailored to our materials.
• Collected and validated life cycle inventory (LCI) data from member companies, a major milestone made possible by strong member participation and transparency.
• Coordinated with parallel industry initiatives to align terminology, methodology, and system boundaries, ensuring EPDs are comparable and usable across pavement preservation sectors.

• ITC (International Technical Committee): The technical committees continue to lead in advancing best practices, defining quality and specification standards, responding to technical queries, and producing publications such as manuals and guidelines. Our members’ involvement ensures that these standards reflect real world scenarios with operational, production, and field realities always considered and reviewed by the group. The work of this group is vast, and I welcome you to visit the Let’s Get Technical articles that are included in our each Emulsion Notes issues.

• Leadership Development Team: Engaging the next generation is vital. The Leadership Development Team, its LEAP program, and related group activities are helping newer professionals grow their technical skills, leadership, and network within the industry. These opportunities are being expanded, and we are seeing growing participation and enthusiasm.

• Awards & Facility Certification: Recognizing excellence remains a key tool for promoting quality, visibility, and innovation. The Awards committees have evaluated strong nominations, celebrating outstanding projects, agency or contractor performance, and innovation in our industry. Similarly, certification of facilities (e.g. for emulsion quality, environmental or operational practices) has been progressing; our efforts here help elevate standards and trust in our products. (Insert specific data or recent certifications if you have them.)

• Other Committee Work: Across membership, technical response, standards, and sustainability committees, there are ongoing efforts to address specification harmonization, responding to regulatory changes, contributing to educational events and webinars, updating technical manuals, and improving member services.

• Access to current technical guidance, standards, and specification developments.
• Resources and tools that help both manufacturers and agencies make informed decisions.
• Visibility and recognition in the industry via awards, certification, and outreach.
• Opportunity to influence the direction of policy, regulation, and standard setting.
• Educational and networking opportunities, including participation in committees, meetings, the annual meeting, and via Road Resource offerings.