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The Science of Maltene Replacement Technology for Sustainable Asphalts

Although the term “rejuvenator” is today being used to describe a wide range of materials, from topcoats using some maltene content to alternative and “activated” organic hydrocarbon oils representing a multitude of extracts and derivations, the only definitive test is in the purity of the maltene content of the rejuvenator and long-term pavement performance.

While asphaltic pavement top coats can provide temporary oxidation-resistance, and some organic compounds have shown varying degrees of promise as mix additives, primarily as prospectively environmentally safer “cut-backs,” no alternative chemistry introduced to date has proven capable of mimicking the field-proven results derived from genuine Maltene Replacement Technology.

Ultimately, the proof is in the pavement, and real-world testing further supports the results of Dr. Rostler’s analyses. For nearly 50 years, MRT has been used on asphalt roadways across America. During that time, a wide number of side-by-side (treated vs. untreated) pavement comparison studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of maltene replacement. Such true rejuvenators, which return molecularly exact, depleted chemicals into the asphalt matrix, extend roadway life when new pavements are treated within their first two years of service, then retreated three to five years later. The initial treatment immediately restores those maltenes lost during the high temperatures used during asphalt mixing (and/or those destroyed by certain types of mix additives). The subsequent retreatments restore those maltenes depleted during exposure to sunlight and weather. Depending upon road conditions, additional retreatments are sometimes recommended, with the goal of achieving a multi-decade service life before pavement rebuild is required.

The science of asphalt composition and rejuvenation is not as complex as some might fear and others wish to promote. Mother Nature has left us many tools as brilliant as they are obvious. Maltene replacement is one such application, and the most natural and only proven solution available for restorative pavement preservation and sustainability.

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