Saint-Gobain acquires asphalt shingle recycling technology

Saint-Gobain North America, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed Roofing, has acquired the rights to technology from recycling partner Asphaltica that will allow the company to recycle asphalt shingle scrap, diverting it from landfills. The Malvern, Pennsylvania-based sustainable construction company says the acquisition will further its commitment to creating a circular economy in its production of roofing shingles.

According to Saint-Gobain, the proprietary technology from Sheridan, Wyoming-based Asphaltica will allow it to pelletize both postindustrial and postconsumer shingle scrap. The process creates pellets out of ground shingles that are blended in hot mix asphalt and are an ideal component in an asphalt paving mix. In addition, the company says the pellets are water-resistant and can be used in variable climate conditions.

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The move comes as Saint-Gobain continues to implement its global Grow and Impact strategy, which it says includes reducing waste and increasing the circularity of raw materials in its production processes, allowing the company to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2050. The company adds that the asphalt shingle recycling technology will help it contribute to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing Association’s (ARMA) goals to reduce landfill disposal of asphalt-based roofing materials to 50 percent by 2035 and to approach zero percent by 2050.

“By taking an innovative approach and embracing new technologies, Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed Roofing are making strides to maximize our positive impact while minimizing our environmental footprint,” says Carmen Bodden, vice president of CertainTeed Roofing. “CertainTeed takes our sustainability commitments seriously. The Asphaltica technology is proven and will help us achieve our goal of keeping shingle manufacturing waste across our network out of landfills.”

Asphaltica President Bill Dempsey and CEO Bill Bailey have more than 40 years of experience in paving and bitumen and say they will continue to support landfill diversion efforts with CertainTeed.

“It was important for me personally to partner with an organization that has the global vision and resources to do big things, and that is why I am so proud to partner with Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed,” Bailey says. “Their commitment to sustainability is unmatched and I look forward to working with their roofing team as they continue their work to be leaders in light and sustainable construction.”

“Replacing virgin asphalt in asphalt paving with properly treated recycled asphalt products is both economical and sustainable,” Dempsey says. “By using the pelletizing process of asphalt shingles at the end of life, our companies will provide recycled, environmentally friendly paving-grade materials for paving projects large and small.”