Vulcan Materials Company’s Western Division, along with partners West MeadVaco and Western Emulsions, conducted a trial project May 14 at Irvine Regional Park that was a win-win for all involved.
Orange County received much-needed paving work at no cost to a service road in Irvine Regional Park while Vulcan Materials and its partners were able to road test a type of asphalt lauded for its energy efficiency and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The paving was provided free by the three companies as a trial for Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) — a paving technology that has been in use in Europe for several years now, and is now being introduced in the United States. The trial will help Vulcan Materials to perfect their WMA production and lead to new options for public and private paving projects.
“Vulcan Materials is excited about the possibilities of Warm Mix and we’re pleased to be able to provide Irvine Regional Park with much-needed maintenance,” said Brian Anderson, director of Environmental Management, Regulatory Affairs and Sustainable Development at Vulcan Materials Western Division.
WMA provides benefits to be considered for paving projects, including the potential for energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions because of the lower amount of heat required for its use. WMA also can be poured in colder weather, which extends the paving season and could help expedite construction projects.
“Projects such as these are critical for infrastructure, and having this option is a perfect example of blending business innovation with social responsibility,” Anderson said.
Vulcan Materials is committed to responsible business practices and supporting environmental initiatives and emerging technologies that help promote sustainability. Vulcan’s Western Division is proud to be the first aggregates producer in the state to take early action to track and report greenhouse gas emissions by joining the California Climate Action Registry.
Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index, is the nation’s foremost producer of construction aggregates and a major producer of other construction materials.
For more information, visit www.vulcanmaterials.com.
