What is Maltene Replacement Technology

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UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY THAT SAVES ROADS AND BUDGETS

Have you ever wondered why modern roads don’t seem to last as long as they used to?

It’s not your imagination. The roads built today are deteriorating faster than those built decades ago—and not just because of increased traffic or severe weather.

The real problem begins before the first vehicle ever drives on your pavement, and it’s something most traditional maintenance approaches completely miss.

WHAT ARE MALTENES AND WHY DO THEY MATTER?

We focus on the science of road preservation because understanding the chemistry of asphalt is critical to extending pavement life. Asphalt isn’t simply rock and tar—it’s a carefully balanced chemical system with two key components:

1

Asphaltenes

These give pavement its structure and color—think of them as the framework

2

Maltenes

These are the flexible compounds that keep asphalt soft and pliable—the essential “glue”

When these components remain in balance, roads stay flexible enough to handle traffic and weather without cracking. But modern roads start with a significant disadvantage.

THE HIDDEN PRoblem with modern roads

Modern oil refineries have become extremely efficient at extracting valuable compounds from crude oil. While that’s great for producing gasoline and other products, it means that the maltenes that used to end up in asphalt are now being removed.

THE RESULT? Your new roads may start with up to 50% less maltene content than necessary to maintain proper durability. It’s like building a bridge with half the required support cables—it might look fine initially, but it’s structurally compromised from day one.

MALTENE REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY:
THE SCIENTIFIC SOLUTION

Our Maltene Replacement Technology (MRT) addresses this fundamental chemical imbalance. Unlike traditional maintenance approaches that only treat symptoms like cracks and potholes, our products actually restore the essential maltene fractions that give asphalt its flexibility and durability.

How Our Technology Works

We’ve refined this technology over 50 years, creating products that:

1

Address the Root Cause

By delivering specially formulated maltene compounds that match exactly what’s missing from modern asphalt

2

Penetrate Deeply

Reaching up to an inch into the pavement surface, not just creating a superficial coating

3

Create Lasting Chemical Changes

Restoring the optimal balance between asphaltenes and maltenes

4

Provide Verified Results

With documented performance benefits from studies spanning decades

Scientific Evidence, Not Just Claims

Ultimately, the proof is in the pavement. For nearly 50 years, our maltene-replacement technology has been used on asphalt roadways across America with consistently impressive results. We back our technology with rigorous scientific testing and real-world performance data.

A Springfield, Missouri study conducted comprehensive analysis of maltene-based treatments with remarkable findings:

56-63%

Viscosity Decrease After 3 Months

After just 3 months, roads treated with our products showed viscosity decreases of up to 63% compared to untreated sections.

  • This immediate improvement indicates rapid restoration of proper chemical balance.

46-54%

Maintained Lower Viscosity Over 3 Years

Three years after treatment, these same roads still maintained up to 54% lower viscosity than untreated sections.

  • Our products create lasting chemical changes, not temporary fixes.

37%

Long-Term Viscosity Reduction After 9 Years

Even after 9 years of service, treated sections still showed a 37% viscosity reduction.

  • Laboratory-verified results confirm superior long-term pavement preservation.

PROOF THAT GOES BEYOND LABORATORY TESTS

Field testing validates what our laboratory research promised—lasting pavement improvement you can measure.

We conducted comprehensive Reclamite testing on two different streets in Springfield, Missouri, with both streets paved in the same year. Reclamite treatment was applied between one to six years after paving—exactly when we recommend application for optimal results. We extracted asphalt cores at multiple intervals following treatment to measure viscosity, comparing treated sections against adjacent untreated control areas. Viscosity measures pavement flexibility—lower numbers indicate more flexible, durable asphalt that handles traffic and weather without cracking.

Examining viscosity measurements across all test locations and timeframes, we found an average viscosity reduction of 51.7% in treated sections. These measurements were taken months and years after application, proving Reclamite creates lasting chemical changes in your pavement.

VIEW STUDY DATA

Why This Matters for Your Budget

Lower viscosity keeps your good roads good for longer, reducing emergency repairs and major reconstruction costs. This frees up budget for other vital infrastructure your community needs. But here’s what’s critical: how viscosity is reduced determines whether you get a long-term solution or a quick fix that harms pavement longevity. Many products temporarily soften asphalt using solvents, but don’t address the root cause.

With our Maltene Replacement Technology, we reduce viscosity by restoring exactly what your pavement has naturally lost—the maltene compounds that give asphalt its flexibility. We’re not adding foreign chemicals; we’re returning your roads to their proper chemical balance. This is why our Springfield study shows sustained improvements years after application, while other treatments often fail within the first year.

Studies that span Decades

Our technology isn’t just proven in the lab—it’s validated through decades of field performance:

  • Army Corps of Engineers Study: A four-year study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded that maltene-based rejuvenators “do rejuvenate the old asphalt binder” while other products had a hardening effect
  • Naval Facilities Engineering Command: Tests showed our products “conclusively prolong the life of asphalt concrete pavements”
  • 32-Year Performance Documentation: Visual evidence from long-term studies shows dramatic differences between treated and untreated pavement sections
  • Travis County, Texas: Documented penetration “down to nearly an inch” and millions in taxpayer savings over 14+ years
  • Orlando, Florida: A 1997 study showed a 45% decrease in viscosity after treatment and recommended a 6-year treatment cycle for optimal pavement life extension
  • Multiple DOT Studies: Various Department of Transportation studies have validated the effectiveness of maltene-based treatments across different climate zones
View All Case Studies

WHY OTHER METHODS FALL SHORT

Understanding why traditional maintenance approaches fail helps highlight why Maltene Replacement Technology succeeds:

Bio-Based Products

Many “green” and bio-based products derived from oranges, soybeans, or other agricultural sources appear to soften asphalt temporarily. However, these products:

  • Can’t be evaluated by the standard Rostler Analysis that measures true rejuvenation
  • Don’t contain true maltenes (which are petroleum-based by definition)
  • Often rely on solvents that can actually damage asphalt long-term

Surface Treatments and Emulsions

Traditional fog seals and asphalt emulsions only provide temporary, surface-level protection. They:

  • Don’t penetrate deeply enough to address chemical imbalances
  • Can’t restore missing maltene fractions
  • Merely delay, rather than prevent, pavement deterioration

THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION

Our technology is built on groundbreaking research by Dr. Fritz Rostler in the 1960s.

While working for Golden Bear Oil Company, Dr. Rostler discovered the origin of asphalt pavement degeneration by separating the components of asphalt in laboratory conditions. He determined that maltenes—asphalt’s soluble, more reactive components—degrade significantly when exposed to the heat used in processing asphalt, and then further degrade as pavement is exposed to the oxidizing effects of UV rays in field installations.

In collaboration with Golden Bear’s Richard White, Dr. Rostler set about developing a technology that would literally restore the petroleum maltenes to aging asphalt, rejuvenating its pliability and resilience. His research conclusively demonstrated that the loss of low-molecular-weight maltene components is largely responsible for the cracking and hardening seen in aging pavement.

The research also revealed that:

  • Some maltene content is lost during the high-temperature asphalt production process
  • More is depleted when volatile maltenes are exposed to natural oxidation
  • Restoring these maltene fractions can return flexibility and adhesion to aging pavement

This led to the development of the Rostler Analysis (ASTM Test D-2006-70), which remains the standard for measuring genuine asphalt rejuvenation effectiveness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As defined by the U.S. government’s “Definition and World Resources of Natural Bitumens” 1 , maltenes are the n-alkane- (that is, pentane or heptane)-soluble molecular components of asphalt. There are two molecular structures common to all asphalts, regardless of their oil field source. Maltenes are basically the “glue” that binds asphalt pavements together, imparting flexibility, fluidity, and adhesion properties; asphaltenes are largely responsible for an asphalt pavement’s rigidity. Collectively, these properties are the key to an asphalt pavement’s ability to withstand considerable environmental and traffic stresses.

As the more fluid resinous and oily fractions found in asphalt binder (aka asphalt cement), maltenes are characterized by a lower molecular weight than asphaltenes, are highly soluble, and chemically reactive (volatile).

Asphaltenes are the more viscous substrate in asphalt. They are characterized by a heavier molecular weight, are not easily soluble, and are less chemically reactive.

Maltenes can be further broken-down using adsorption chromatography in the presence of an acid reagent into four distinct subfractions:

Paraffins (aka Saturates): Straight or branch-chain saturated hydrocarbons (aka naphthene-aromatics) that highly oily and impart distinct and necessary characteristics to asphalt pavements

Polar Compounds 2 (aka nitrogen bases): Highly reactive petroleum resins that act as a colloidal dispersion stabilizer or “peptizer” for the asphaltene substrate, imparting distinct and necessary characteristics to asphalt pavements

First Acidaffins (A1): Aromatic resinous petro-hydrocarbons, with or without O, N and S, acting as a chemically compatible dispersion agent for the peptized asphaltene

Second Acidaffins (A2): Straight chain or cyclic unsaturated petro-hydrocarbons (olefins) that are somewhat oily and resinous, imparting distinct and necessary characteristics to asphalt pavements

In 1959, Dr. Fritz Rostler, working in America’s petroleum and rubber industry with his associate Richard M. White, isolated and tested the chemical reactivity of asphalt’s two major components, asphaltenes and maltenes, in an effort to identify what combination of these two molecular structures would most likely produce resilient thermoplastic performance.

By using sulfuric acid to separate the soluble components (highly volatile and reactive maltenes), and then using an n-pentane solvent to separate the insoluble components (heavier, more stable asphaltenes), they observed the asphaltenes in asphalt, when exposed to lab-simulated sun and weather, increased over time, while the asphalt’s maltene content diminished. This suggested a continuously interactive molecular structure that would be receptive to maltene replacement treatments penetrating the asphalt matrix.

Once component separation was complete, Rostler et al. conducted abrasion-resistance (pre-weathering and post-weathering) and cohesion testing, which definitively demonstrated the loss of the low-molecular-weight maltene components in naturally stressed asphalt is largely responsible for the cracking and hardening seen in aging pavement. Subsequent analysis determined some maltene content is initially lost during the high-temperature asphalt production process, and more is depleted when the highly volatile maltenes in asphalt pavements are exposed to natural oxidation. The question then arose:

Thus, genuine asphalt rejuvenation in the form of maltene-replacement technology was born, at least in theory. It was the Witco Corporation, the original manufacturer of today’s Reclamite asphalt rejuvenation technology, that undertook the research necessary to identify the most effective method for feeding maltene-rich chemistry to new and aging pavements.

Through their break-through examination of the chemical reactivity of an asphalt binder’s sub-components, Rostler et al developed ASTM Test D-2006-70 , which accurately identifies the relationships between the various maltene fractions with the goal of determining the optimal maltene content distribution within an asphalt rejuvenating agent. They did so by rank-ordering maltene fractions by their changeability or vulnerability to volatilization and oxidation. The idea being the more vulnerable fractions are lost first and most often and thus should be the first and most often replaced by maltene-replacement technology.

This exercise, commonly known as the Rostler Analysis, is the measure still used today to determine the efficacy of a genuine asphalt rejuvenation treatment.

During the first half of the 20th Century, in the modern era of civil engineering, surface treatments such as coal tar were introduced in the hope of extending the life of existing asphalt pavements. It was soon discovered that coal tar is chemically incompatible with asphalt and therefore incapable of chemically bonding (fluxing) with an asphalt substrate. As a topcoat, coal tar can temporarily enhance the appearance of the underlying aging, gray asphalt pavement, but it wears off quickly and cannot be considered a rejuvenating agent.

Asphalt-based emulsions and fogs provide some temporal, surface-based protection of the underlying asphalt pavement from exposure to the elements. Although such emulsions share some chemical characteristics with authentic maltene replacement asphalt rejuvenation, their maltene content has super-fluxed with the asphaltene content before being applied to the road. Asphalt emulsions and fogs are therefore incapable of molecular exchange with the original pavement, and are useless as an asphalt binder rejuvenating agent. Only “free maltenes” can molecularly revitalize aged asphalts.

Maltenes, by definition, are petroleum-based. Chemistries derived from oranges, soy beans, corn or other so-called “natural” ingredients do not contain maltenes and are therefore incapable of replacing them. The Rostler Analysis of the chemical reactivity of a material’s asphaltene and maltene components cannot be used to measure the efficacy of bio-based chemistries because they have neither asphaltenes nor maltenes to fractionalize.

Some of the confusion in the marketplace over so-called “bio-based rejuvenators” may be attributed to the misplaced use of ASTM D2007SARA. SARA is highly useful as a generalized separation technique, applicable to a wide range of emulsion industries such as cosmetics, paints, wood treatments, and asphaltic fogs. It is not useful as a test for asphalt rejuvenation.

Most significantly, SARA may produce false positive results on bio-based products and other low-molecular-weight non-petroleum composites, including materials that are asphalt-damaging solvents. Powerful bio-solvents may appear to soften treated asphalts when, due to their high Kauri-butanol (Kb) value , they are actually chemically separating the asphalt matrix. If you wish to avoid using powerful solvents on your roadways, always inquire into the Kb value of the materials you are considering.

Historically, such materials were marketed as asphalt “releaser” agents because they promote dissolution of a petroleum suspension phase such as maltenes. In essence, elevated Kb value bio-based reagents destroy asphalt pavement through chemically-induced separation of the asphalt binder’s components. Once the asphalt matrix has been compromised, the damage may be irreversible and future maltene-replacing rejuvenation infeasible.

Although claiming to be eco-friendly, some bio-based reagents, despite their “natural” derivations, are substantially composed of ecologically damaging Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which climate scientists believe to be ozone precursors toxic to humans.

The research is ongoing on bio-based materials. Raising specific questions about the chemical properties of any product you are considering is a good precaution to take before applying bio-based materials to your roadways.

In our work in the field, Pavement Technology is increasingly observing accelerated aging characteristics in newly built asphalt pavements. Societal pressures to use recycling asphalts and bio-based additives on America’s roadways may be contributing to this problem.

Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is recognized for its environmental and financial advantages. Typically RAP with higher quality aggregates is selected. If the use of RAP proves to be responsible for field problems, the mixing process and/or the additives used during reformulation are the likely culprits.

Specifically, in an effort to produce high temperature strength (reduced rutting risk) and low temperature fluidity (reduced cracking risk) during asphalt mixing, the mix additives and recycling agents used appear to be producing detrimental results in the field. If high Kb value solvents are used to affect high temperature / low temperature properties through asphalt binder viscosity reduction, the result may be the irreversible dissolving of the maltene phase.

Ultimately, the proof is in the pavement, and real-world testing further supports the results of Dr. Rostler’s analyses. For nearly 50 years, maltene-replacement technology 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. 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. Roadway longevity is the ultimate test of a sustainable solution, and Maltene Replacement Technology (MRT) is both lab-tested and field-proven to extend the life of asphalt pavements.

  1. https://pubs.usgs.gov/b
  2. Vladimir Kalichevsky and Stewart C. Fulton, 1931 patent US1926523A
  3. Heavy Oil Science Center, More About the Chemistry of Asphaltenes and Maltenes, Foster Learning Inc. (http://www.lloydminsterheavyoil.com/asphaltenes2.htm)
  4. https://www.pavementpreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FPPC335_Asphalt_Rejuvenation.pdf
  5. https://www.pavetechinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Charleston-County-Viscosity-Charts-022619.pdf

TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Want to dive deeper into the science behind Maltene Replacement Technology? Explore these case studies:

MN DOT Study: Evaluation of Proprietary Rejuvenators

Featured, Reclamite,

MN DOT Study: Evaluation of Proprietary Rejuvenators

In this study, the short-term and long-term performance of 12 different Spray-on Rejuvenators (SORs) were evaluated to investigate their effectiveness. In the MnROAD28 section, most SORs exhibited reduced stiffness up to one year. However, Corrective Asphalt Material’s products, Reclamite, ARA1 Ti, CRF, evaluated in the top three spots. See the case study for full results.

Asphalt Preservation = Significant Road Maintenance Reduction: PWX 2025

Featured, Presentation, Reclamite,

Asphalt Preservation = Significant Road Maintenance Reduction: PWX 2025
View All Case Studies

Transform Your Pavement Preservation Program

By addressing the true chemical cause of premature road deterioration, we help you get ahead of the maintenance curve rather than constantly playing catch-up with failing roads.

THE DATA IS CLEAR

Municipalities that implement our maltene-based preservation programs see significant increases in overall pavement condition ratings and substantial long-term cost savings compared to traditional maintenance approaches.

SPEAK TO A Maltene EXPERT

Let us show you how our scientifically proven Maltene Replacement Technology can transform your pavement maintenance program. Contact our team today for a free consultation and on-site evaluation.

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