Any business that does not listen to and work with its customers to move forward could find itself in danger. Our profession is not in danger, more that we have an excellent opportunity with the speed of change in both technology and specifications to present the bitumen emulsion industry in the best possible way.

Specifiers and Contractors have a thirst for understanding. Bitumen Emulsions have a long record of success, but in many areas as people move on, the young engineers want to understand the processes involving the use of emulsion. For example, surface dressing (chipseal) must be one of the most cost effective treatments available to the highways engineer, but many do not fully understand the process. It is our job to help educate for the future.

The advances in training, emulsion technology and application equipment mean that it has never been of a higher standard than it is now. The challenge for our industry is to let those involved know how to specify the products correctly and monitor performance to an agreed standard. It is this type of challenge that we must embrace as an industry.

I think the reasoning for using bitumen emulsions is changing. Environmental benefits of maintaining roads better rather than allowing deterioration resulting in new build will be a factor. The efficient use of high quality aggregates in the most necessary areas can be achieved by using emulsions.

There is progress in cold emulsion technology too; we are now seeing the total cost in terms of energy use, recycling and whole life costing being evaluated by clients. Emulsion technology could have a major role to play in progress in this area.

Emulsion Producers are constantly developing test methods and performance improvements for emulsion uses. Surface Dressing, Microsurfacing, Bond Coats and emulsion asphalt are some of the key areas of growth for the highways market.

The industry has a fantastic opportunity now to highlight the many benefits of bitumen emulsion use via promotion of the new EU standard for Bitumen Emulsions.EN13808.

We in the Road Emulsion Association for the UK, especially our technical committee via European working parties, have worked hard to ensure that new standards are practical, robust and useful, to industry and end user alike.

I hope the association’s day will focus attention on the need to promote Bitumen Emulsions to the market. There are always alternative treatments and we need to show where Bitumen Emulsion is the best possible solution for our customers.

Change is a certainty for all markets, it is up to us all associated with Bitumen Emulsion to offer solutions for the roads of the future through the highest standards of service, quality and performance.

There are many applications that will boost the sector here are my favorites.

PASS® Cape Seals, or to use a generic term Scrub Cape Seals rehabilitate roadways at a fraction of the cost when compared to overlays recycling and reconstruction will be a big boost to the Asphalt Emulsion Industry.

I believe Warm Mix Asphalt with Asphalt Emulsions will replace Hot Mix Asphalt in California and most major urban areas in the near future.

Recycling will have to play a bigger role as cost of raw materials (aggregates and asphalt) increase. Increased volumes of solvent free Cold In-Place Recycling should increase asphalt emulsion use in the US.

Innovation in the US is derived from industry. With that being said partnerships with government and industry are the key to advancing innovation. A great example of this is the partnerships between Industry, FHWA (Federal Highway Administration), FPP (Foundation for Pavement Preservation), AEMA, NPPC (National Pavement Preservation Center at Michigan State University), and others. In California the PPTG (Pavement Preservation Task Group), a partnership with Cal Trans and Industry, and the Pavement Center opening at California State University Chico are great local examples of this partnership.

Asphalt Emulsions are the most environmentally sound, cost effective and energy efficient products used in pavement construction and maintenance. The workshop will focus on using asphalt emulsions in construction applications and preservation of road systems with asphalt emulsions. Our Universities give engineers little education on pavement preservation and construction methods other than paving with hot mix or concrete. The workshop is a tool to supplement the education that our engineers and others have received. Thanks to Michigan State University and the National Pavement Preservation Center we will be awarding Continuing Education Units to attendees who complete the workshop.

The World of Emulsions will be held at the Cité Centre de Congrès convention center in Lyon, France.

Participants will be welcomed as of 8:00 am at the "Porte E" welcome area.

The conference will start at 8:30 and will be hosted by Manuel Battista, Director for Europe at the Route One Group.

Please note: Registrations can only be made on line at www.world-of-emulsions.com where you may also book your hotel room if needed.
For further information, please contact Laëtitia Clavel:
cme2006@package.fr
Package Organisation
Tel: +33 4 72 77 45 50