2025 North Central Asphalt User / Producer Group Outlook (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI)
We’re headquartered in Union, New Jersey and over 1/3 of our asphalt customers come from the North East Asphalt User / Producer Group NEAUPG – customers find it surprising that we have so many relationships in the North Central area as well. In fact, Illinois is often one of our biggest states for asphalt filter bag sales each year. Home to nearly 300 of the nation’s nearly 4,000 asphalt plants, production here represents 15% of the nation’s annual output – 60 of 400 million tons.
It also represents nearly a hundred asphalt customers for Filter Holdings, many of which we have serviced for decades. 20% of our asphalt customers come from these states!
The North Central Asphalt User Producer Group (NCAUPG) Annual Conference, held on November 13-14, 2024, in Indianapolis (link), focused on several key topics pertinent to the asphalt industry:
- Environmental Regulations: Discussions included the potential impact of the EPA’s proposed ban on chlorinated solvents, highlighting the need for industry adaptation to evolving environmental policies.
- Technological Advancements: Sessions covered the use of the Dielectric Profiling System (DPS) and other non-destructive testing intelligent construction technologies for measuring pavement density, emphasizing the role of innovation in quality assurance.
- Binder Specifications: Updates on regional binder specifications were provided, along with future projections, underscoring the importance of standardized materials in pavement performance.
- Balanced Mix Design (BMD): A panel debate addressed the relevance of traditional volumetric methods versus the adoption of BMD approaches, reflecting ongoing discussions about optimizing mix design methodologies.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Presentations highlighted efforts such as the Low-Embodied Carbon EPA Grant and other sustainability projects, indicating a collective move towards environmentally friendly practices in asphalt production and application.
- Innovative Materials: Explorations into the use of Highly Modified Asphalt (HiMA), modern dry process rubber, and microplastics in asphalt mixes were presented, showcasing advancements in material science aimed at enhancing pavement durability and performance.
In addition, FHI saw the same common trends present for the NCAUPG group as we saw elsewhere in the US for 2024:
- Higher asphalt pricing led to fewer jobs.
- A warm winter led to longer production – seasonal shutdowns and maintenance cycles started later than usual.
- Federal spending initiatives continue to drive the volume of work.
- New technologies and continued focus on clean air keep demand for filter bags – like FHI’s StackPro product line.
One of the great things about the asphalt industry is the strong national coordination provided by groups like the State Asphalt Pavement Association (SAPA), the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and events like World of Asphalt.
The North Central User / Producer Group is supported by strong regional and state-based groups, including:
- Iowa (IA) – Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa (APAI), which claims to be one of the “best state paving associations in the US.”
- Illinois (IL) – Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association
- Indiana (IN) – Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana
- Indiana is also crucial to the NCAUPG, as the group is based out of Purdue University (NCAUPG home)
- Kansas (KS) – Kansas Asphalt Pavement Association
- Michigan (MI) – Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan
- Missouri (MO) – Missouri Asphalt Pavement Association
- North Dakota (ND) – Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association – same as SD.
- Nebraska (NE) – No state based asphalt or paving organization.
- Ohio (OH) – Flexible Pavements of Ohio
- South Dakota (SD) – Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association – same as ND.
- Wisconsin (WI) – Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association