2025 North East Asphalt User Producer Group Outlook (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT): A Filtration Perspective

We’re headquartered in Union, New Jersey and several of our team members live even further North – there’s a reason the NEAUPG is our favorite of the four regions that are used to track annual asphalt production in the United States. Home to over 200 of the nation’s nearly 4,000 asphalt plants, production here represents less than 1/4 of the nation’s annual output – 86 of 400 million tons.

It also represents nearly a hundred asphalt customers who buy filter bags from Filter Holdings, many of which we have serviced for decades. 30% of our asphalt customers come from these states! This region was a major driver for us to incorporate all of our innovations under the StackPro(TM) trade name.

Trends we saw for 2024 that will continue in to 2025:

• High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Content – The push for higher RAP content will drive innovation in mix design and testing, ensuring long-term pavement performance while reducing material costs and environmental impact. Agencies and contractors will need to adapt to evolving specifications and performance validation methods.
• Balanced Mix Design (BMD) Implementation – As more states adopt BMD, asphalt producers will need to invest in new testing protocols and quality control measures. This shift will lead to improved durability and performance but may require adjustments in production processes and workforce training.
• Performance Testing and Quality Assurance – The growing emphasis on performance-based specifications will require more rigorous testing and data collection. Producers will need to align with new quality assurance standards, leading to increased costs but ultimately more reliable asphalt pavements.
• Pricing – Higher asphalt pricing leads to fewer jobs. Inflation and volatility make it harder to issue forward quotes for business.
• Weather – A warm winter led to longer production – seasonal shutdowns and maintenance cycles started later than usual.
• Funding – Federal spending initiatives continue to drive the volume of work.
• Innovation – New technologies and continued focus on clean air keep demand for filter bags – like FHI’s StackPro product line.
• As a bag filter vendor, we know that passing your stack test is essential – however it is also clear based on these priorities, that air quality is something you depend on us for!

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 East User / Producer Group is supported by strong regional and state-based groups, including:

• Connecticutt (CT): Connecticut Asphalt & Aggregate Producers Association
  • Connecticutt not only has a strong state association, the University of Connecticutt is the offiical home of the NEAUPG.
  • Important to remember that the next meeting of this group will be October 29 – 30, 2025 in Harrisburg, PA. (link)
• Delaware (DE): Delaware Asphalt Pavement Association
• Maine (ME): Maine Asphalt Pavement Association
• Maryland (MD): The Maryland Asphalt Association
• Massachusetts (MA): Massachusetts Aggregate & Asphalt Pavement Association
• New Hampshire (NH): No state based association.
• New Jersey (NJ): New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association
• New York (NY): New York Construction Materials Association
• Pennsylvania (PA): Pennsylvania Asphalt Pavement Association
• Rhode Island (RI): No state based association.
• Vermont (VT): No state based association.