WMA Continues Growth
Oct 29, 2014
More contractors started using chemical additive WMA in 2013, growing by 2.7%, while fewer contractor used plant foaming in 2013. NAPA and FHWA released their survey of 2013 construction practices, finding that almost a third of all asphalt produced used warm mix technologies. The 106.4 million tons of WMA produced in 2013 represents a 23% increase from 2012.
Use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) also continues to rise with 73.5 million tons of RAP and 1.7 million tons of RAS used. NAPA notes that "reclaiming and reusing the asphalt cement in RAP and RAS saved about $2 billion in 2013 compared to the use of virgin materials."
More factoids:
- EVERYONE uses RAP: 100% of contractors reported using RAP in 2013
- OHIO had 100 contractors completing the survey, followed by California at 75 contractors.
- TONNAGE reached a new LOW: overall estimated asphalt tonnage of 350.7 MM tons was the lowest since the survey's inception in 2009.
- FLORIDA averages the highest RAP usage percentatge at 32%
- NORTH CAROLINA increased their average RAP usage the most, from 15% in 2012 to 26% in 2013
- MORE STATES reported using RAS and GTR in asphalt mixes
The survey was conducted in mid-2014. Results from 249 companies with 1,281 plants in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, along with data from State Asphalt Pavement Associations for 38 states, were used to compile the report. A full copy of the survey, including state-by-state appendixes can be downloaded from www.AsphaltPavement.org/recycling.
Author: Heather Dolan
