Agenda Announced for Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference

The 6th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference will feature information on the latest developments and technologies in this scrap tire market.

“Rubber modified asphalt use is increasing because it actually lowers project costs,” according to Michael Blumenthal, vice president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association. “Newer technologies also are increasing the use of tire rubber as a modifier of asphalt. These unique situations will be feature presentations at the conference, which is designed to assist both the paving and rubber industries.”

Conference presentations will include case studies by the Arizona DOT, Georgia DOT and Washington State DOT as well as one by a contractor with experience working for Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation.

The 6th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference will be hosted Oct. 15-17 in Tempe, Ariz., at the Doubletree Hotel.

The event is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, Ontario Tire Stewardship, Liberty Tire Recycling, Columbus-McKinnon Corp., Granutech-Saturn and the Institute for Recycling Industries. Co-hosts for the conference include: RMA, the Rubber Pavements Association, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society’s Rubber Division and the Scrap Tire Research & Educational Foundation, the Rubber Asphalt Foundation, Asphalt Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association and the National Center for Asphalt Technology.

“Sponsorship by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a tremendous privilege and demonstrates the national interest in the use of ground tire rubber in asphalt,” Blumenthal said. “This cooperative program can truly have an impact on advancing the use of rubber modified asphalt,” Blumenthal added.

Prior to the conference on Oct. 14, the federal EPA’s Scrap Tire Work Group will also meet in Tempe at the Doubletree Hotel. Comprised of EPA officials, state scrap tire regulators, scrap tire companies and national trade associations, the group discusses scrap tire matters and works to resolve obstacles impeding the end use markets for scrap tire materials. There is no fee to attend the Scrap Tire Work Group meeting.

For the full agenda and speakers as well as registration information for the 6th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference, visit www.stref.org.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Ryan Waldron as president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

"At Goodyear, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and in Ryan Waldron, we have a customer-centric, execution-focused business leader with a deep understanding of both the marketplace and all aspects of our business, as well as a proven track record of delivering results," Stewart said. "I am thrilled to announce him as president of Goodyear's Americas business and have enormous confidence that under his leadership, both the company and our customers will reach even greater levels of success."