Colorbiotics enters asphalt market with Invigorate additive.

• Environmentally friendly additive increases RAP usage and pavement longevity
• Product is a soybean oil-based additive that reverses the effects of oxidation

(AMES, Iowa – October 2020) Colorbiotics, an industry leader in colorants, coatings and equipment, has launched Invigorate additive to increase the use of recycled asphalt and extend asphalt service life.

Colorbiotics has long served landscaping and sports/recreation industries. The expansion into asphalt marks a significant opportunity to demonstrate that bio-based products can provide improved performance and environmental benefits simultaneously. The innovations that made Colorbiotics a leader in one industry are set to reshape another one.

Invigorate additive is a new soybean oil-derived additive that triggers chemical reactions inside recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and stiff binders to break down asphaltene aggregation and reverse the effects of oxidation in the final mix. While other rejuvenators offer a superficial change to the viscosity of the binder, this additive improves the chemical properties of lower-quality binders, addressing aged elements within RAP. This new technology improves recyclability of asphalt while still meeting PG and performance-testing specifications.

“With Invigorate additive, we have been able to meet specifications and increase usable RAP material to as much as 50%, well beyond the standard 20 to 25% used today,” said Dan Staebell, Colorbiotics asphalt business development manager. “That obviously has environmental and economic benefits.”

The safety-tested and patented Invigorate additive benefits are reaching beyond initial production and construction.

“We have identified that when using high percentages of RAP, Invigorate additive makes the asphalt more flexible while maintaining its durability and rut resistance,” Staebell said. “That is certainly important for big climate swings in our northern states and fatigue resistance in southern states.”