Insights
Our experts share their thoughts on asphalt sustainability, innovation, safety and creating a culture of care.
Sustainability
The Science of SigmaBond: How Polyco Engineered its Performance Grade Rubberized Asphalt Binder
At Polyco, we’re always pushing the boundaries of innovation in asphalt modification. One of our biggest breakthroughs is SigmaBond—a high-performance asphalt binder that includes recycled tire rubber that is liquefied through our unique chemical process (Rapid Digestion Process™). Unlike traditional methods that simply blend crumb rubber with asphalt, RDP harnesses…
Advocating for Stronger Asphalt Shingle Codes & Expanded Recycling
For many years, post-manufactured and post-consumer asphalt shingle waste was successfully recycled into asphalt paving, providing both a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to landfill disposal. At one time, asphalt paving companies even paid for post-manufacturing waste due to the value of the unaged asphalt. As paving regulations evolved to become…
Answering the Call: Where Roofing and Sustainability Meet
It’s what’s inside that counts. The quality of a shingle is only as good as the materials it’s composed of — and shingle manufacturers have been put on notice. More accountability is being demanded of the roofing industry, with an emphasis on expanding sustainability measures. For more than two decades,…
From Black to Green: Polyco’s Sustainability Journey
To me, building a sustainable infrastructure is a moral obligation. For the foreseeable future, humans will need roofs for shelter and roads for transportation. Asphalt is a core (albeit overlooked) ingredient in both instances. However, the general public has a narrow view of what asphalt is, how it’s used, and…
Innovative Business, Family Style
Founded in 1994, Polyco entered the asphalt market as a small, family-owned business with big goals. Tom Nichols, our founder, recognized a need for better-engineered roofing and, eventually, paving solutions that embraced a green model of stability. Starting with nothing more than an idea on a napkin, $400, and a…
Independent Studies Prove that SigmaBond Results in Upcycled Performance
Focusing on what's possible is at the core of everything Polyco does. One of the innovations we are most excited about is the technology we’ve developed to reduce landfill waste by recycling waste tires. While there are many ways to recycle tires, Polyco’s patented Rapid Digestion Process (RDP) completely liquefies…
What AB 661 Means for Asphalt Sustainability in California
On September 25th, Governor Newsom signed a new bill into law that will enhance the sustainability of California roads. Assembly Bill 661 expands the state’s existing State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC) to include more recycled materials in pavements. Here are a few of the highlights: For recycled tire-derived products…
Learning from the Past to Succeed in the Future
As we settle into the new year, I’m reminded of the challenges the asphalt industry faced in 2021 and how we’ve worked (and continue to work) to rise above them. From pandemic-related shutdowns and extreme weather in several of our markets to workforce retention and supply chain setbacks, we’ve watched…
Engineered to Perform
More than 25 years ago, I started Polyco with $400 and a napkin with the name inscribed on it in my pocket. I went from lab technician at a large corporation to CEO at a company of one (I was also chief janitor, R&D, customer service and sales). I’ve been…
When Performance Leads to Sustainability
Here at Polyco, we are problem solvers. Customers are constantly challenging us to make products that are more resilient, last longer and ultimately, perform better. As a scientist, I’m always thinking about how to achieve a better end product. After almost a decade of innovation at Polyco, I’ve learned that…