Branscome Companies

On June 18^th, Branscome, Incorporated hosted engineers, local government officials, and private contractors for a demonstration of the company’s newly installed warm-mix asphalt system at its plant in Hampton, VA.  Warm-mix asphalt is an environmentally friendly product, which boasts lower energy consumption, reduced plant emissions, and improved on-site air quality compared to traditional hot-mix asphalt.  Branscome is proud to be able to lead in our industry’s transition to greener technologies by becoming the first contractor with a warm-mix-specific asphalt plant in Hampton Roads.

Conservation of natural resources, improved air quality, and better energy efficiency have all become major issues in our region.  As a result, it is essential that local businesses find ways to lessen their environmental impact.  Recognizing this, in 2007 Branscome, Incorporated signed a mandate from its parent company promising to commit to and promote the concept of sustainable development.

Following through on this commitment, Branscome has found numerous ways to improve the environmental health of our community including using waste oils to fuel our plants and vehicles, providing impervious clays to area landfills to protect groundwater reservoirs, and recycling over 500,000 tons of recycled asphalt and waste concrete each year.  Our latest step on the road to sustainable development has been the introduction of warm-mix asphalt.

The benefits of warm-mix asphalt come from special processes used in its design and production.  These innovative techniques allow the warm-mix to be heated 50˚ to 75˚ F cooler than conventional hot-mix asphalt and still retain the same properties.  This dramatic temperature decrease provides a host of positive effects.  Up to 35% less energy is needed to heat the asphalt plant’s burner, and plant emissions fall significantly as well.  The benefits of warm-mix asphalt are not limited to the asphalt plant, however.  Research has shown that 30 – 50% reduction in emissions from the asphalt can be expected during transport and laydown.

In addition to the many environmental benefits, warm-mix asphalt offers operational advantages over hot-mix as well.  Additives used in the mix design make the pavement more flexible for longer periods of time.  Thus, asphalt plants’ service area can be expanded when using warm-mix.  Also, the additives used make the mix less susceptible to cold weather than hot-mix.  This will allow paving projects to continue in cold months during which it would otherwise be impossible to pave.

Due to the major benefits derived from using warm-mix asphalt, Branscome will be adding warm-mix technology to four more asphalt plants in the next month, and by the end of 2009, we hope to be producing and using 100% warm-mix.  Branscome will continue to seek out ways to lessen our carbon footprint and overall environmental impact while still providing Hampton Roads with the safe and dependable transportation infrastructure that it needs.