The second installment of Polyco’s Back to Black webinar series, A Producer’s Perspective of PGTR for a Sustainable Future, continued the conversation on the evolution of tire rubber asphalt, bringing together leading experts to explore innovations in sustainable pavement solutions. Hosted by Bob Rivers, this session revisited key takeaways from CalAPA’s 2021 discussion on recycling tire rubber for asphalt and examined new advancements in rubber-modified binder technologies.

Peter Sebaaly, Ph.D., Director of the Western Regional Superpave Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, spoke first on the performance of tire rubber modified mixtures, sharing groundbreaking research on pavement performance. His study demonstrated that asphalt concrete (AC) pavements incorporating tire rubber significantly outperformed unmodified AC pavements. His conclusion emphasized that utilizing tire rubber can extend pavement life and reduce tire waste, making it a win-win for infrastructure and the environment.

Then, Bob McGennis, who brings over four decades of experience in asphalt technology and currently serves as the Asphalt Technical Manager for HF Sinclair Corporation, delivered a presentation on the basics of performance graded terminal blended (PGTR) asphalt. He covered the fundamentals of crumb rubber asphalt and explained how specifications drive the manufacturing and engineering properties of PGTR systems. He also discussed the essential features of PGTR systems and their role in improving asphalt performance.

Drawing from his experience at Pacific Emulsions, Lance Allan discussed the benefits of modified slurry seals, highlighting how tire rubber modified slurry seals improve durability and visual appeal. He shared how projects like the City of Oceanside’s pavement treatments have successfully utilized this technology for almost two decades.

Finally, Skip Brown, a respected pavement consultant with over 60 years in the industry, shared his firsthand experience with Polyco’s Terminal Blend PG 64-16 TR 15% supplied by Pacific NorthWest Oil Company. His insights reinforced the importance of innovation in binder technology for achieving long-lasting, high-performance pavements.

The webinar concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where panelists discussed the practical applications of rubber-modified asphalt. They confirmed that tire rubber modified slurry seal can be applied using conventional slurry seal equipment, making it accessible for widespread use. The discussion also touched on legislative efforts to encourage the use of recycled rubber and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), as well as the growing adoption of rubber-modified binders in western states. Experts highlighted the proven performance benefits of terminally blended asphalt with tire rubber, reinforcing its importance in advancing sustainable pavement solutions.

Looking ahead, the Back to Black series will continue to explore the latest advancements in asphalt technology, bringing together industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and the future of sustainable infrastructure. Stay tuned for details on our next session. 

If you missed this session, or want to rewatch the conversation, access the full recording to gain valuable insights.