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Lexington, KY 40507-1833
United States
Distilling Innovation: Refining the Future of Asphalt Modification
Conference Goals
2025 AMAP Annual Conference & Workshop
Distilling Innovation: Refining the Future of Asphalt Modification
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
to Thursday, October 16, 2025
Hyatt Regency Lexington
401 West High StreetLexington, KY 40507-1833
United States
Event Details
Join AMAP for our 2025 Annual Conference & Workshop at the Hyatt Regency Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other companies, organizations, and individuals in the industry, and to learn more during educational sessions by experts from across the industry.
Meeting Cancellation Policy
Notification must be received by the AMAP offices if you have registered for the meeting and subsequently find you will be unable to attend. If registration cancellation is necessary, AMAP will refund registration fees in accordance with the following schedule:
Cancellation received by September 15, 2025, will receive a full refund less a $15.00 administrative fee.
Cancellation received between September 16 - 26, 2025, will receive a 50% refund less a $15.00 administrative fee.
Cancellations received September 27 or later will receive NO refund.
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Agenda
| October 14 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Educational Workshop: Breakfast This event is only available to Workshop attendees. |
| 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM | Registration Open |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Educational Workshop: General Session
• Asphalt Binders, Specifications, and Testing | Codrin Daranga, Paragon Technical Services • Polymers for Modifying Asphalt | BJ Blackwell, Kraton Corporation • Functional Additives: Chemistry, Mechanisms and Field Impact | Katrina Mangiaracina, Ingevity • Asphalt and Modified Asphalt Rheology | Gina Paroline, Anton Paar • Overview and Update on Sustainability Efforts | Chait Bhat, Asphalt Institute |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Educational Workshop: Lunch This event is only available to Workshop attendees. |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Hospitality Suite Sponsored by ATS |
| 1:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Educational Workshop: Track A - Paving
• Asphalt Emulsions | Ester Ternero, Nouryon • Introduction of Additives at a Plant Scale - Best Practices | Tanya Nash, ATS • Achieving Asphalt Modification in Practice | Spencer Segula, Steven Louis Consulting • BMD and Modification | Buzz Powell, Asphalt Pavement Alliance |
| 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Educational Workshop: Track B - Roofing
• Evolution of Roofing Technologies | Punit Singhvi & David Ploense, Crafco • Modified Asphalt for Residential Roofing | Ramil Mercado, GAF • Modified Asphalt for Commercial Roofing | Julie Anne Geyer, The Garland Company • Underlayments in Residential Roofing | Navin Asthana & Isaac Rufus, GAF • Sustainability Efforts in the Roofing Industry | Toni Newsome, Owens Corning |
| 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Asphalt Institute Tour (Offsite) This event is open to workshop and conference attendees. Transportation will be provided. Please sign up for the tour when you register. Advance registration is required. |
| 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Welcome Reception & Exhibit Hall Open This event is open to all workshop and conference attendees. |
| October 15 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 7:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Exhibit Hall Open |
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Annual Conference - General Session |
| 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM | President's Welcome Tanya Nash, ATS |
| 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM | Welcome Speaker Jim Gray, Kentucky Secretary of Transportation |
| 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM |
Session 1: Industry Highlights
• Legislative Update | Nile Elam, NAPA • Asphalt Institute Update | Mark Buncher, AI • State Farm Roofing Update | Doug Dewey, State Farm • AEMA/FP2 Update | Rick Church, AMAP |
| 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM |
AMAP Business Meeting and Lunch
|
| 1:00 PM - 2:55 PM |
Session 2: Asphalt Binders - Rethinking Performance
• Evaluation of Asphalt Binder Properties & Polymer Modifications Effect on Asphalt Mixture Cracking | John'Angelo, D'Angelo Consulting LLC in cooperation with Ergon •Asphalt Institute Technical Advisory Committee Review of Recent NCHRP Research on Asphalt Binders | Andrew Hanz, Mathy Construction •A Case Study in Laboratory Analysis of High Polymer-Modified Binders: Knowledge Gaps, Testing Challenges, and Future Considerations | Wes Cooper, Asphalt Institute |
| 2:55 PM - 4:45 PM |
Session 3: Advancing Asphalt with Emerging Technologies
• Benefits and Potential Pitfall of Antioxidants in Polymer Modified Asphalt | Jeramie Adams, Western Research Institute • Methods and Mechanism for Polymer Optimization of Stiff Asphalt Binders | R. Christopher Williams, Iowa State University • Integrating Solid Modern Carbon for Enhanced Durability and Sustainability in Asphalt Applications | Michael Baba, Modern Hydrogen |
| 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM | Education Committee Meeting All are welcome. |
| 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM | Communications Committee Meeting All are welcome. |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Evening Cocktail Reception |
| October 16 | |
| 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Registration and Exhibits Open |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Technical Committee Meeting All are welcome. |
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Annual Conference - General Session |
| 8:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Session 4: Advancing Durability in Modified Asphalt Mixtures
• Enhancing the Durability and Service Life of Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) | Louay Mohammad, Louisiana State University • Development of a Cracking Propagation Resistance Index (CPR-Idnex) from IDEAL-CT for Modified Asphalt Mixtures | Yaowen Pei and Runhua Zhang, University of Wisconsin-Madison • High Polymer Modified Asphalt Binders and Mixtures: Addressing Gaps, Advancing Opportunities | Jhony Habbouche, Asphalt Institute |
| 9:55 AM - 12:00 PM |
Session 5: Roofing Related Innovation and Sustainability
•RTAC Update | Wes Cooper, Asphalt Institute •Impact of Recycling Agents on Asphalt Binder Modification: Distinguishing Rejuvenation from Softening | Punit Singhvi, Crafco, Inc. and Codrin Daranga, Paragon •Enhancing RAP/RAS Mixtures with Recycling Agents for Balanced Performance | Fan Yin, NCAT •Use and Value of High-Asphalt Content RAS Powder | Adam Willet, GAF |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Advisory Committee Meeting All are welcome. |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Session 6: Sustainable Solutions for the Future of Asphalt (Part 1)
•Vacuum Tower Asphalt Extender (VTAE)/Re-Refined Oil Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB) | Abdel Mekhal, Safety Kleen/Clean Harbors •Advances in Use of Epoxy Asphalt Modified Pavements for Road Applications | Aaron Roy, ChemCo Systems |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Session 6: Sustainable Solutions for the Future of Asphalt (Part 2)
•Asphalt Performance and Workability Additives | John Almey, GreenMantra Technologies •Effective Performance Characterization and Evaluation of Recycling Agents for the Current and Future of Asphalt Pavement Industry | Yogesh Kumbargeri, Western Research Institute |
| 3:15 PM - 4:25 PM |
Session 7: EPA, ASTM, & EPDs --What's Changing?
•Impact of the EPA Proposed Rule Regulating Chlorinated Solvents on Asphalt Testing | Ann Baranov, InfraTest USA, Inc. + The Road to Revision of ASTM D5404 Standard Practice for Recovery of Asphalt Binder from Solution Using the Rotary Evaporator | Zach McKay, Blankenship Asphalt Tech & Training •AMAP EPD Task Force Update | Bob Kluttz, Asphalt Technology Consultant, LLC |
| 4:25 PM - 4:35 PM | Closing Remarks Trey Wurst, Crafco, Inc. |
For More Information:
Distilling Innovation: Refining the Future of Asphalt Modification
This conference theme draws inspiration from the distillation process—transforming raw materials into their purest, most effective forms—and applies it to the evolution of asphalt modification technologies. Just as distillation extracts the essence of a substance, this conference will focus on refining cutting-edge ideas, techniques, and materials to enhance asphalt performance, sustainability, and durability. Through expert discussions, groundbreaking research, and industry collaboration, we will explore how innovation in asphalt modification continues to shape the future of a resilient infrastructure.
Key Focus Areas
- Innovating Asphalt Modification: Refining advanced materials, polymer blends, and hybrid additives to enhance asphalt durability, resilience, and sustainability.
- Sustainable Solutions: Showcasing eco-friendly practices and innovations that reduce environmental impact while enhancing asphalt performance.
- Precision Engineering: Distilling cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to refine the design, production, and application of modified asphalt for superior performance and durability.
- Extracting Expertise: Sharing insights, research, and case studies to distill collective knowledge into actionable strategies that advance innovation in the asphalt industry.
- Future-Proofing Roads: Leveraging distillation-driven innovation to build smarter, more resilient, and adaptive infrastructure for the future.
- Advancing Testing and Standards: Enhancing testing methods and refining specifications to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of modified asphalt.
Conference Goals
- Refine Industry Collaboration: Bring together researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to extract and implement cutting-edge solutions.
- Distill Breakthrough Innovations: Showcase the latest advancements in asphalt modification, from high-performance binders to sustainable technologies.
- Elevate Infrastructure Development: Inspire a forward-thinking approach that enhances the durability, sustainability, and adaptability of asphalt pavements.