paving

As traffic volume grows and extreme weather conditions persist, the need for safer and more sustainable infrastructure solutions becomes increasingly urgent. Kraton is at the forefront of developing innovative bitumen modification technologies that enable the construction of cost-effective, durable roads. Our solutions improve road performance and longevity by enhancing resistance to rutting and cracking and reducing maintenance costs, construction delays, and traffic disruptions.

As a pioneer in bitumen modification, our products and global supply network allow us to consistently deliver superior performance, processability, and reliable supply.

Paving

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SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS

Environmental Protection

Our polymers are fully recyclable, and the pavement constructed with our solutions has a lower carbon footprint due to extended pavement life.

Economic Development

Our pavement solutions are easy to implement and require minimal maintenance, reducing the overall economic burden.

Social Impact

Roads are fundamental to a well-functioning society. Our solutions contribute to making roads better and safer.

Paving Applications

Roads
Bridge Decks
Racetracks
Seaports
Airports
Cities

Roads and HighwaysRoads and Highways

Are your roads subject to the demands of constantly increasing traffic load, extreme weather conditions, tight budgets, and the public’s expectation of uninterrupted traffic? Kraton can help provide solutions to address these issues.

 

Case Studies

 

 

Bridge Decks

Underlying structure protection, durability, flexibility, and ease of construction are fundamental needs for bridge deck asphalt mixtures. Our solutions can help address these concerns while enabling bridge longevity.

 

Case Studies

Racetracks

When it comes to car racing, every bit of the pavement matters. Excellent long-term smoothness and grip provided by Kraton technologies give the driver an edge in beating the record.

 

Case Studies

Seaports

As the global economy advances, seaport terminals and industrial complexes remain the conduits for economic growth. Investing in durable pavements capable of withstanding extra heavy and static loads can make the enterprise more profitable and reliable.

 

Case Studies

Airports

It takes a particular pavement to withstand repeated airplane landings and takeoffs. Kraton technology solutions are used at over 60 airports internationally to make runways and taxiways last longer while maintaining smoothness, preventing traffic disruptions, and saving maintenance budget.

 

Case Studies

Cities

With growing metropolitan populations, city planners increasingly seek resilient, sustainable, and innovative pavement solutions. Kraton technologies can ensure your roads are ready for the demands of tomorrow.

 

Case Studies


 

 

 

Paving Case Studies

Mastic Bridge Deck Ostróda, Poland

Mazury, the northeastern region of Poland, is famous for its 2,000 post-glacial lakes. While inherently beautiful, the hilly landscape – covered with lakes, rivers and streams – does not lend itself easily to new roadway construction.

Jaipur-Mahua Tollway, Rajasthan, India

The city of Agra, home of the world-famous Taj Mahal, is a booming tourist destination in India. Agra is located only 240 km (150 mi) from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. The two cities are connected by Jaipur Mahua Tollway and, along with New Delhi, form what is known as the west Golden Triangle of tourist destinations.

Interstate Highway 40 Oklahoma, United States

Between 1997 and 2012, Oklahoma’s GDP grew by 45 percent from $110 billion to $160 billion. While a diverse range of industries – including aviation, energy and food processing – fueled the state’s growth, the roadway system made it possible by carrying more heavy traffic each year.

Kraton Test Section Alabama, United States

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) is a leading pavement research center located in the southern United States. It features the world’s only high-speed, full-scale accelerated pavement testing facility. When Kraton first developed the HiMA technology, NCAT was the perfect place to demonstrate its capabilities.

Voivodeship Road Dw942 Wisła, Poland

Wisła is a small town located in the Silesian Beskids mountain range at the southern tip of Poland. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism since the town is internationally known for its annual summer Grand Prix ski jump events.

HiMA Breakthrough In Midway, Florida

In Midway, Florida, there are two large truck stops on US 90 serving traffic from I-10, just west of Tallahassee. In 2018, an average of 1,326 trucks per day traveled on US 90 north (west) of I-10, while 1,665 trucks per day used this highway south (east) of I-10 toward Tallahassee.

Sc-114 Rehabilitation Painel And São Joaquim, Brazil

Santa Catarina is one of Brazil’s southernmost states. The region is characterized by a high-temperature gradient where summer temperatures can reach 32°C (90°F), and drop to -5°C (23°F) in the winter. In 2015, the 55 km (34 mi) long stretch of SC-114 roadway connecting the towns of São Joaquim and Painel needed repair.

PolyRejuvenator™ Technology Evaluation

“Of all the materials recycled in the United States, nothing is recycled as consistently as asphalt pavement mixture,” according to a National Asphalt Pavement Association press release. “The latest survey of asphalt mix producers finds that more than 99 percent of the asphalt pavement material removed from roads and parking lots in 2017 was put back to productive use, primarily in new asphalt pavement mixtures.”

Alaska Stymies Studded Tires

Rutting caused by studded tire wear is a serious problem in the American Pacific Northwest, costing Oregon, Washington and Alaska millions of dollars annually in damage to both asphalt and Portland cement concrete roads. According to a study by the University of Alaska-Anchorage, “In 2019, the estimated total cost of mitigating road damage from studded tire use in Alaska over the next 20 years will amount to $203.2 million.”

Port Of Napier, New Zealand

Port of Napier, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is the primary export seaport for the country’s central region. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By the first decade of the 2000s, thoughputs at the port have approximately doubled, according to Clarke Curtis, the port’s Infrastructure Maintenance Manager.

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit South Africa

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit was constructed in 1961. In 1967, the racetrack began hosting the Formula 1 World Championship, becoming a world-renowned racing venue.

Václav Havel Airport Runway Prague, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is home to some of the most fascinating European cultural heritage sites, including the Historic Centre of Prague, which developed between the 11th and 18th centuries. In 2016, Prague was ranked sixth in the Tripadvisor world list of best destinations. One way to get to Prague is via the Václav Havel Airport, which served around 17 million passengers in 2018.

1st Avenue, New York City United States

Paving and maintaining New York City streets is unusually challenging. Many of the streets are in poor condition with aging concrete and old, delicate utility infrastructure underneath. In 2012, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) was struggling to find a solution for 50 blocks of 1st Avenue. Replacing the 45 cm (18 in) concrete pavement was prohibitive in cost and time. Thin overlays helped, but they only added a few years of life before further remediation was needed.

London Orbital Motorway M25 London, United Kingdom

When opened in 1986, the M25 or London Orbital Motorway was the longest ring road in Europe (188 km or 117 mi). Since then, the motorway has been continuously serving Greater London’s growing traffic demands.

Technologies

HIMA™ and Conventional PMB
Emulsions
Road Markings

HIMA™ and Conventional PMB

SBS polymer-modified bitumens (PMB) provide asphalt pavements with enhanced mechanical and aging characteristics. When used appropriately, PMBs enhance the pavements’ economic and environmental value. Kraton offers a broad range of SBS polymers designed to work in even the most complex bitumen sources, providing the right balance of material properties.

Asphalt pavements flex under traffic, making it crucial for the bitumen to be strong and resilient. With their unique molecular structure, Kraton polymers enhance durability by adding flexibility, elasticity, and toughness to the bitumen mixture. This reduces sensitivity to extreme temperatures and improves performance properties across a wide temperature range.

HiMA and conventional PMB encompass polymer loading levels of 2-8 wt—% of SBS in bitumen. As the modification level increases, the bitumen resists high-temperature deformation and intermediate-temperature cracking. The effect depends on polymer content, type, and the formulation process.

Emulsions

Emulsions are developed using HiMA™ or PmB and adding water plus emulsifier. SBS is blended into the base asphalt before emulsification, as opposed to modification with water-based, latex polymer dispersions.

Kraton D grades are the most technologically advanced and user-friendly polymer options for manufacturing pre-modified asphalt emulsions.

Benefits

Enhanced Polymer Compatibility

  • Improved compatibility in a wide range of base asphalts​
  • Low shear blending option
  • Streamline formulations through a single polymer​

Superior Liquid Emulsion Properties

  • Excellent initial and long-term emulsion viscosity and storage stability​
  • Improved resistance to shear and pumping processes
  • Optimal balance of break and set properties​
  • Can tune emulsion viscosity easily as a function of residue content

Lower Modified Asphalt Viscosity

  • Leads to smaller particle size and narrower distribution​
  • Allows for emulsification on ambient pressure equipment
  • Potential for improved performance through higher polymer loading​

Improved Emulsion Paving Solutions

  • Better chip retention​
  • Extended pavement system durability

Road Markings

Road markings are critical to traffic safety and essential in helping you arrive safely at your destination. Kraton products enable formulators to develop thermoplastic road markings with long-lasting, high-visibility performance.

 

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