The Association of Modified Asphalt Producers recently brought its signature expertise to Louisiana for the 2026 March Educational Workshop. Held at the historic Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, this 3rd annual "on the road" event successfully gathered a diverse group of contractors, suppliers, students, lab technicians, and agency professionals. The workshop focused on bridging the gap between laboratory science and field application, offering attendees a localized opportunity to expand their knowledge of modified asphalt technologies.
The first full day of programming on March 10 focused heavily on regional perspectives and the fundamental chemistry of binders. Grover Allen from the Asphalt Institute opened the sessions with an overview of the unique challenges and opportunities facing modified binder use in the region, followed by a technical deep dive into LDOT testing and specifications by Moses Akentuna of the LTDC. To provide a practical counterbalance to the technical specs, David Madden of Madden Contracting shared a crucial contractor’s perspective on the handling of modified binders. The morning concluded with updates from the AI TAC Task Force by Wes Cooper and a virtual presentation on High Performance (HP) and HiMOD developments by Buzz Powell.
The afternoon of the first day transitioned into the complex world of binder chemistry and rheology. Codrin Daranga of Paragon Technical Services led a session on asphalt binder specifications and testing, while Gina Paroline from Anton Paar provided an in-depth look at binder rheology. The day’s technical sessions wrapped up with detailed explorations of polymers and functional additives. Richard Blackwell of Kraton Corporation discussed various polymers used for asphalt modification, and Katrina Mangiaracina from Ingevity explained the chemistry and field impact of functional additives.
The second day of the workshop, March 11, shifted the focus toward sustainable practices and the transition from binder to mix. Louay Mohammad from LSU opened the morning by discussing the practical use of rejuvenators in asphalt mixtures that contain high levels of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP). This was complemented by a session on asphalt emulsions with Skip Comer of Ingevity, and a broader look at the current additives market by Ryan Lynch of Resinall. These sessions highlighted the industry's ongoing commitment to balancing high performance with environmental responsibility and market trends.
The workshop concluded with a series of sessions focused on maximizing performance at the production level. AMAP President Tanya Nash of ATS delivered a key presentation on ensuring additive performance is maximized at the asphalt plant. Attendees also heard from Spencer Segula on achieving asphalt in modification and practice, and Mike Worden regarding the preparation of modified binders. The final technical session by Zane Hartzog of NCAT covered the increasingly important topic of Balanced Mix Design (BMD). Closing remarks reinforced the workshop's core mission: providing the industry with the tools and knowledge necessary to build more durable and efficient road infrastructure.
