Gernatt Asphalt Innovates with Low Emission Asphalt

The study concluded that LEA reduced particulate matter baghouse exhausts by 51 percent, sulfur dioxide by 46 percent, nitrogen oxide by 21 percent, carbon monoxide by 82 percent, and other air contaminants were reduced by as much as 95 percent.

In addition to reducing air pollution and fuel needed for production, LEA can be used in cooler weather and improves working conditions by reducing smoke and odor.

Reduced aging

The reduced production temperature associated with LEA provides a significant performance benefit known as reduced "aging" or stiffening of the mix. This "aging" reduction is likely to yield a greater lifecycle of the pavement, which leads to reduced costs, thus saving taxpayers money over the long term.

The first North American LEA project was performed in Cortland, NY over two years ago and is performing extremely well. After more than 30,000 heavy truck passes, the pavement looks almost exactly as it did the day the project was completed. To date, over 100,000 tons of warm mix using Suit-Kote's LEA technology has been produced.

In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, this "green" product will not pass along any exorbitant costs to the consumer. Once minor modifications are made to an already existing asphalt plant, the cost of producing LEA will not cost any more than conventional hot mix. Many believe the cost will actually decrease over time as energy efficiencies improve.

Suit-Kote Corp. is a diverse third generation, vertically integrated asphalt company headquartered in Cortland, NY. They have 17 facilities located throughout Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1921 by Harry Suits, Suit-Kote has evolved into a corporation that employs nearly 700 people and is widely recognized as an industry leader because of its quality road maintenance products and highly skilled work force.

McConnaughay Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suit-Kote Corp. and functions as its engineering and research division.

For more information on LEA visit www.lowemissionasphalt.com or email info@mcconnaughay.com.