Kraton Polymers Pushes SBS Modification to a New Level

Kraton Polymers LLC (Kraton), a leading global producer of engineered

polymers, is at the forefront of a pioneering new solution to improve

long-term pavement performance using cost-effective SBS base course

modification.
The world´s leading supplier of

styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymers for bitumen

modification has developed a new and unique SBS grade which, when used

to modify base course bitumen, gives substantially better performance

than standard SBS grades while retaining workability of the asphalt mix.
Research conducted by Kraton in co-operation with the Road Research

Laboratory at Delft University of Technology highlights the advantages

full-depth SBS polymer modified pavement can bring in terms of securing

improvements to the durability and lifetime of the total pavement, plus

the possibility to construct thinner pavements. The resulting reduction

in maintenance and materials opens up new opportunities for road owners

and constructors to achieve cost reductions and minimise the

environmental impact of road construction on heavily trafficked roads.
Kraton´s new SBS grade allows previously

unattainable high levels of polymer modification in hard bitumen. To

secure a minimum life time of a pavement construction, the thickness of

the base course was the main variable to accommodate the traffic

loading. Consequently, heavily trafficked roads have very thick base

courses to achieve the necessary stiffness, strength and flexibility to

spread traffic loads and provide adequate fatigue cracking resistance

over the long term.
By adding performance improvements to the asphalt binder, Kraton´s

new SBS enhances base course performance. This enables the use of a

thinner asphalt layer without the need to invest in customised laying

equipment. Standard SBS grades are unable to achieve both high levels of

asphalt performance and a storage stable, workable binder.
Advanced material characterisation tests demonstrate that with the

unique SBS modified hard bitumen formulation even a 150mm base course

accumulates significantly less damage than a standard 250mm base course

with permanent deformation at levels four times lower than that of a

standard base course.
Stephen Evans, Vice President Paving and Roofing at Kraton Polymers

comments: "Cost reduction, improving pavement

performance and minimising environmental impact are on-going concerns

for the roads industry. Kraton´s research into

base course modification and the subsequent development of a unique SBS

grade for hard bitumen modification presents a significant next step

forward in helping the industry address these challenges. We are looking

forward to exploring the potential of this concept with our customers

and partners."
For more information visit Kraton at Booth 56/58/60 at the E&E Congress

2008 or contact www.kraton.com
About Kraton
Kraton is a leading global performance polymer company and is the world´s

largest producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), a family of

products whose chemistry was pioneered by Kraton more than forty years

ago. SBCs are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance

the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of

attributes, including: greater flexibility, resilience, strength

durability and processability. Kraton polymers are used in a wide range

of applications including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal

care products, sealants, lubricants, medical, packaging, automotive

paving, roofing, and footwear products. Kraton has the leading position

in nearly all of its core markets and is the only producer of SBCs with

global manufacturing capability. Its production facilities are located

in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Brazil, and

Japan.
Kraton, the Kraton logo and design are trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.
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