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California Asphalt Magazine - 2006 Equipment Guide
ECOPATH™ – The World Leader In Asphalt Rubber Technology
Compiled by Mountain View Media

For companies needing reliable production of high-quality asphalt rubber binder, ECOPATH TM has emerged on the world scene to provide an efficient solution with its state-of-the-art mobile asphalt rubber blending plants.

ECOPATH is the only engineering company actively involved in both asphalt equipment design and operation and has become an industry leader within less than two years of its inception. The accurate, continuous proportional blending of ECOPATH’S high-quality asphalt rubber binder plus the system’s flexibility to produce polymer modified asphalt and terminal blends is attracting global attention.

To compliment growing domestic operations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas, ECOPATH recently entered the World market with the sale of four asphalt rubber blending units to Surgutneftegas, one of Russia’s prominent oil and gas companies and another unit to Asfaltomeros in Spain, one of Europe’s pacesetters in the asphalt rubber industry.

ECOPATH has established an enviable reputation for taking the best blending technology and making it better. The company’s research and development engineers collaborate with universities and top consultants like Dr. Serji Amirkhanian of Clemson University, and Dr. H. Barry Takallou, President of CRM of America. These strategic alliances enable ECOPATH to consistently produce reliable, high-quality, homogeneous asphalt rubber binders.

Chairman and CEO Diane Graham is a champion for asphalt rubber. “I’m thrilled to extol the benefits of this product, because it has so many,” she said. “Asphalt rubber makes roads last longer by resisting rutting, aging, cracking and makes them safer by providing optimum skid resistance and reduced hydroplaning.

“It’s also quieter, which adds to peace and quiet in neighborhoods,” she continued. “Noise levels have been reduced as much as 85% in Arizona and Texas.”

“Additionally, asphalt rubber is a boon for rapidly filling landfills. Approximately 2,000 recycled tires are used for every lane mile with a 2-inch overlay. That’s great for the environment, whether in Arizona or Siberia!”

“Last but not least, asphalt rubber is more affordable,” she concluded. “It increases pavement life, require less maintenance and costs substantially less than alternative reconstruction.”

ECOPATH specifically tailors its blending plants to each customer’s needs, from city freeways, airport runways and NASCAR racetracks to park pathways. Every unit features blending systems that are highly versatile with computer controls that are simple to operate.

How simple? It takes only a two-man crew less than five hours to make the blending plant transportable, then another six hours to set it up. Only two operators are required for plant operation, one for the plant itself, another as a helper and/or forklift operator.

ECOPATH works diligently in two ways to achieve its unmatched customer satisfaction: by dedicating its experienced staff to working closely with its customers; and by using superior technology and equipment.

Highly accurate metering and monitoring systems are important parts of ECOPATH units. They can print reports for mix designs, mix batches, and material and production history. There’s also a separate printer for the hot plant interlock, plus a data logger recording production, temperature and viscosity.

Built into these systems are real-time, in-line viscosity measurements of binder delivered to the asphalt hotmix plant. Another important element is a sensitive weigh bridge for weighing rubber or polymer additives which, coupled with highly accurate asphalt mass flow meters, guarantees the exact proportions of asphalt cement and modifiers in every batch.

Mobile ECOPATH plants are available in two convenient capacities: 45 tons of asphalt rubber binder per hour and 15 tons per hour. The plant can be customized to produce polymer modified asphalt, dry process rubberized asphalt, or combinations of polymer/rubber modified asphalt.

Further customer convenience can be found in each plant’s electrical connections and fuel options. A single-point electrical connection allows the unit to accept power at one location. The heating system fuel type can be designed for fuel oil, natural gas or propane.

As an involved worldwide contributor to the asphalt rubber industry, ECOPATH supports industry research and improvements with new engineering and automation of conventional equipment and laboratory facilities. It has established strategic alliances with experts in asphalt rubber road construction and leaders in the tire-recycling industry.

“We take our role as the global leader in asphalt engineering very seriously,” Graham emphasized. “We respect and support all the industries involved in the process, from tire grinders to oil suppliers to paving contractors.”

She added, ‘ECOPATH will continue to grow strategically, collaborate with foremost experts and support industries, improve technology and offer unsurpassed customer service with our state-of-the-art equipment. The rubber has hit the road and we expect a long, exciting and beneficial ride into the future.”

ECOPATH was formed in 2004 when parent company STRATCO Global acquired the assets of BlendTec LLC. As a member of the STRATCO Global family of companies, ECOPATH benefits from the 77 years of experience of STRATCO, Inc., an engineering and process design firm specializing in blending equipment for the production of grease, lubricants, bio-diesel and other emulsions and reaction processes.

For additional information, call ECOPATH Vice President of International Sales, Cecilia Mancero at (480) 990-7623 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or visit ECOPATH’s website at www.stratcoglobal.com.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 June 2009 18:02 )