LEED Credits with Warm Mix Asphalt
Dec 08, 2010
Towards the end of this season, we have gotten several inquiries on how Evotherm technology can help obtain LEED credits. Evotherm chemistry comprises a surfactant package that facilitates paving at 50 F to 100 F lower termperatures than traditional hot mix asphalt paving. As such, the use of Evotherm can help contribute to certification for LEED points in the following categories:
- Materials and Resource (MR) Credit 4: The use of RAP with Evotherm can be increased compared to hot mix. Similar jobs have shown the same consistent result that Evotherm promotes the use of 10-30% more RAP use than traditional hot mix for the same amount of workability and binder aging.
- MR Credit 5 Regional Materials: Most aggregate and asphalt are sourced close to the jobsite. With the typical active concentration of Evotherm on the order of 0.4-0.5% based on total asphalt binder content in the mix, around 99.975% of the mix will be locally sourced.
- MR 6 Credit Rapidly Renewable Materials: Evotherm additives are derived from pine tree process in the paper industry. The surfactants in Evotherm chemistry are produced from this waste stream. The amount of recovered/processed renewable content in Evotherm 3G chemistry is 45%. Evotherm products are the only WMA additives that contain sustainable materials.
4) ID Credit 1, Innovative Design: With Evotherm, fuel savings of 55% have been achieved and an over 40% reduction in greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide equivalents has also been documented. Because the aggregate does not have to spend as much time in the dryer section of the drum, production rates in the mix plant can be increased, often upwards of 25%.
Authors: Tegash Ghandi and Michael Plouff
