Setting the Pace

$750,000 NSERC commitment doubles funding from Husky

2020 - University of Calgary, AB CANADA

Recently, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) rewarded the University of Calgary with $750,000 for asphalt research, matching research funds provided by Husky Asphalt.

“The research conducted at the University of Calgary has given Husky the ability to patent certain technologies,” said Martin Ray, director, Asphalt and Industrial Products with Husky. “Technology that led to our breakthrough development of higher-quality products like Polymer-Modified Asphalt (PMA).”

“Having these funds to support the asphalt industry is a huge accomplishment,” said Brett Lambden, manager, Technical Services and Innovation with Husky. “This grant reinforces the University of Calgary as an industry leader in asphalt performance and specification, and will help support students focused on the industry, professional development and research into better-performing material.”

To read more about Husky Asphalt's involvement in public research, click here.  ​

2020 - North America

Six members of Husky’s Asphalt team have been named to various committee roles supporting the Asphalt Institute (AI). The AI is the international trade association of petroleum asphalt producers, representing 90%of North America’s liquid asphalt. With an emphasis on educational expertise, technical leadership, member connectivity and environmental oversight, Husky Asphalt’s increased involvement will help support AI’s platform.

The committee roles are:

• Brett Lambden – Canadian Committee member
• Dallin Doney – Director on Board of Directors, Public Policy/Relationships Committee member
• Guy Sisler – Finance Committee and Development Committee member
• Kelli Pollock – Finance Committee member
• Lana Johnson – Membership Committee member
• Tony Wanta – Roofing Technical Advisory Committee

“Serving on these committees means I can help to assure the future of the Institute remains strong,” says Guy Sisler, technical services asphalt engineer. Sisler will volunteer his time toward the Golf Task Force, AI’s major fundraising event.

“Husky’s presence in the roofing committee is important to staying connected in this small but significant market,” added Tony Wanta, Husky’s Wisconsin-based asphalt sales specialist.

The Husky Asphalt team is eager to play an instrumental role in the present and future asphalt environment, in partnership with the AI. To learn more about the Asphalt Institute, click here.  ​

October 2020 — Calgary, AB Canada

Being published is nothing new for Dr. Martin Jasso, the Husky-endowed Chair of Bituminous Materials at the University of Calgary. Recently featured in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, his latest article, Development of internal structure of polymer-modified asphalts via transformations of the reduced frequency, will support Husky Asphalt’s research in evaluating the potential effects of modifiers on asphalt composites.

Co-authored by Jiri Stastna, Giovanni Polacco and Giacomo Cuiciniello, the article explores the apparent molecular weight distribution (MWD) and temperature of asphalt materials. Dr. Jasso and his team applied new, innovative research methods to accommodate the unique structural differences of Polymer-Modified Asphalt (PMA) over other varieties of asphalt.

As the temperature increased, the asphalt transitioned from a solid-like material to a flexible solid, and finally, to a more liquid state. These changes resulted from the type of polymer that was used.

Dr. Jasso hopes these findings can be a catalyst for future researchers looking to explore molecular structural organization. His techniques can help identify the quality of asphalt, based on aging and manufacturing conditions, before it is even used to pave a road. This research will also further enhance Husky Asphalt’s ability to build better roads.

Read the abstract here.

Husky Asphalt has always focused on creating long-lasting relationships in the paving industry. In 2019, Husky searched for innovative ways to establish a base for our business in the U.S. mid-continent market by working with Seneca to lease its two Toledo-based asphalt terminals.

The Toledo terminals at Front St. and Woodville Rd. feature rail and truck loading (and barge loading at Front Street) to serve the Ohio, Michigan and Indiana markets. The terminals also feature PMA plants for production of Husky’s Black Max PMA.

We maintained the original terminal employees, benefitting from their extensive wealth of local and industry knowledge.

Husky’s presence has enhanced the competitive dynamic in a marketplace with limited supply options. With growing need for infrastructure development across the U.S., expanding into the mid-continental market was a strategic decision.

“Leasing the Toledo terminals gave us the ability to bring asphalt in from our Lloydminster Refinery,” said Keith Bochard, Husky Sales Advisor. “Along with the product from both of our Ohio refineries, Lima and Toledo, Husky can offer various asphalt paving grades to the U.S. mid-continental market.”

To provide integral American markets with the service and expertise Husky is known for, Husky is working to develop relationships with more terminals in anticipation of the re-opening of the Superior Refinery.

Until then, Husky will continue to push the envelope on building better roads with our technical knowledge, our dedication to industry relationships and our commitment to providing the right products, to the right market, at the right time.

Husky Asphalt would like to recognize the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT) for its leadership in advancing paving technology and its contribution to the asphalt industry for the past 95 years.

In September, AAPT hosted its first ever virtual event. With more than 400 registered attendees, this was the highest attended AAPT meeting in history.

Since 1949, the Walter J. Emmons Award has been presented to the best paper delivered at this annual event. Congratulations to the 2019 winner “Balanced Mix Design Sensitivity to Production Tolerance Limits and Binder Source” by Walaa S. Mogawer, Alexander J. Austerman, Kevin D. Stuart, Fujie Zhou and Pedro Romero, as well as the runner up “Evaluation of Newly Developed Performance Grading Systems for Emulsion Residues” by Andrew Hanz, R. Michael Anderson, Codrin Daranga, Mary Ryan and Brett Lambden.

“The importance of a balanced mix design approach and improving emulsion specifications is that they are two key industry initiatives to achieve longer lasting, higher performing pavements and maintenance treatments,” said Brett Lambden, Manager, Technical Services and Innovation, Husky Asphalt. “Thank you to the selection committee for the recognition of two great papers among many. We look forward to continuing contributions to the AAPT.”

Learn more about the AAPT and their contributions in asphalt innovation at www.AsphaltTechnology.org

Q3, 2020 — Lloydminster, SK CANADA

Husky Asphalt has been a pioneer in the development of Polymer-Modified Asphalt (PMA) in North America, producing and marketing our Black Max family of PMA products. With the growing demand for PMA, we recently opened our new PMA production facility in Lloydminster, Canada.

This facility significantly increases Husky Asphalt’s PMA production capacity, further enabling ease of supply for larger-scale projects today, with significant capacity to expand production to support our customer’s longer-term demand for PMA.

Read about new features of the facility and what it can deliver for you in the latest edition of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association’s Think BIG. Read the full story here.

Husky Asphalt’s industry partners at NAPA have released a two-page case study and accompanying video detailing the speed of construction asphalt benefit. Speed of construction has long presented itself as a benefit of choosing asphalt materials over concrete. Highlighting the work by Barriere Construction Co. LLC in Louisiana during the 2016 paving season, NAPA was able to show the cost reduction of using asphalt materials and the significantly reduced inconvenience to travelers.

Husky Asphalt’s dedication to building better roads is why we are a proud member of the NAPA organization and appreciate the collaborative effort they put into developing our industry. 

For more information visit NAPA at AsphaltPavement.org

2020 — University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK CANADA

Husky Asphalt would like to recognize and congratulate our Technical Services and Innovation Co-op Student, Mackenzie Steffen, on being selected by the Association of Modified Asphalt Producers (AMAP) for the Dr. David R. Jones IV scholarship award. The $2,000 scholarship is intended to assist students pursuing education in fields related to asphalt modification and will be presented at the AMAP 21st Annual Conference & Workshop in Palm Springs, California on Feb. 12, 2020.

Mackenzie has worked with our Technical Services and Innovation team in Saskatoon every summer since 2017 and is currently pursuing her Civil Engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Mackenzie plans to pursue a career within the asphalt industry and hopes to participate in the Husky Engineer-in-Training program after she completes her studies.

From everyone here at Husky Asphalt, congratulations, Mackenzie!

2019 — University of Calgary, Calgary, AB CANADA

In the spirit of celebrating victories, Husky Asphalt would like to recognize and congratulate our Co-op Student, Febrianto Vincent, on receiving one of three Canadian Technical Asphalt Association scholarships. The scholarships of $2000 each are intended to assist students pursuing education in asphalt technologies. Febrianto worked with our Technical Services and Innovation team in Saskatoon and is currently pursuing his chemical engineering degree at the University of Calgary. Inspired by his time with Husky Asphalt, Febrianto is interested in pursuing a career within the asphalt industry after he completes his studies.

Congratulations, Febrianto, and good luck in your continued studies!

July 2018 — Regina, SK CANADA

Dr. Martin Jasso and Brett Lambden, two of Husky's top-notch researchers, received the Elaine Thompson Editor's Award for Written Presentation at the 2018 annual conference of the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association (CTAA). Their research focused on how the new generation of crosslinkers will lead to new types of polymer modified asphalt (PMA) binders.

U.S. accreditation of Saskatoon Asphalt Lab underscores our reputation as a leader in asphalt product development and production.

Husky’s Asphalt Lab has been accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). AASHTO is a non-profit and non-partisan standards body that publishes specifications, test protocols and guidelines used in highway design and construction throughout the United States.

Our asphalt lab in Saskatoon tests our products to ensure they meet the specifications and quality standards of the markets in which they are sold. The lab also acts as an innovation incubator, having produced new grades and types of longer lasting and better performing asphalt products. The accreditation of the lab allows Husky more market diversification, providing us the credibility and required sanctioning to sell asphalt in various markets in the United States.

“The AASHTO accreditation was an intensive, year-long process involving multiple inspector lab visits and audits,” said Brett Lambden, Technical Services & Innovation Manager. “Achieving this accreditation is a feather in Husky’s cap, strengthening our reputation as an innovator and leader in asphalt product development and production.”

This is not the first time Husky has invested in asphalt innovation. Since 1995, we’ve partnered with the University of Calgary to fund the Husky Energy Endowed Research Chair in Bituminous Materials. The lab is one of the world’s top research and development asphalt facilities.

Pioneers in the asphalt business since the 1940s, Husky now has eight asphalt emulsion production facilities in the United States and Canada. With expanded production capacity following the acquisition of the Superior Refinery and market leadership across expanded retail markets, asphalt production is a key piece of our corporate strategy.

For more information on Husky’s Asphalt Lab, contact Brett Lambden.