DuPont is showcasing two of its newly introduced Elvaloy Reactive Terpolymer (RET) asphalt modifier grades at a conference in Dubai, UAE.

The three-day sixth Middle East Bitumen/Asphalt Conference will run till May 14 at the Shangri-La Hotel.

It seeks to leverage the rapidly expanding market for infrastructure development in the Middle East, said a statement.

DuPont Elvaloy RET 5160 and 5170 modifiers are the latest addition to the company’s growing portfolio of asphalt modifiers that can endure the effects of weather, heavy traffic and loads, extending the drivable life of roads and highways and lowering road-repair costs, it said.

The new grades also are shown to meet performance requirements at lower additive rates than competitive products to further lower overall cost.

Dale Outhous, vice president – Ethylene Copolymers, DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers, said: “Being able to cost-effectively build and maintain roads and highways in excellent driving condition is absolutely critical.

“DuPont is committed to using its materials science capabilities to optimise our existing portfolio and our participation in the Middle East Bitumen/Asphalt Conference in Dubai will demonstrate our innovative technology where we will showcase DuPont Elvaloy RET 5160 and 5170 modifiers.”

The unique polymer chemistry used in the new grades is credited for enhancing reactivity with asphalt to achieve maximum properties with minimal modifiers.

The new grades also provide the same benefits as the existing Elvaloy RET grades, including exceptional rutting resistance, cold-temperature performance, inherent fuel and water resistance, long storage stability, and efficient processing with low mixing temperatures and easy compaction.

Alexandre Saba, marketing manager - Industrial and Consumer, said: “Harsh climate and heavy traffic conditions can cause significant damage to roads, including thermal cracking, moisture stripping, fatigue cracking, and rutting. This can substantially increase the safety risks to drivers on the roads.

“As DuPont continues to innovate and develop new solutions for the asphalt industry, we strive to improve road safety and performance while also keeping costs low for road developers. We are confident that our new modifiers will be appreciated by the show’s Middle Eastern visitors as they are designed to bear the region’s high temperatures and fast-moving vehicles.”

Additional Elvaloy RET grades are expected next year, said the statement. The Elvaloy RET modifiers are designed to outlast a variety of weather conditions from the Arctic to the desert – giving manufacturers confidence in their roads and their performance throughout the coldest and the hottest weather.

With nearly 25 years of paving experience, DuPont estimates that more than 95,000 miles of roads around the world are paved with Elvaloy RET.

DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers is a manufacturer of high-performance resins for a variety of packaging and industrial applications.

Its best-known ethylene copolymer products include DuPont Surlyn resins for packaging and industrial applications, Appeel lidding sealant resins, Bynel coextrudable adhesives, Selar PA amorphous polyamide barrier resins, Nucrel acid copolymers, Elvax EVA copolymers, Elvaloy, Elvaloy AC, Fusabond modifiers, and Vamac ethylene acrylic elastomers. - TradeArabia News Service