Soybean Oil-based polymeric coatings for the rejuvenation of old asphalt shingles

According to a new report by Reports and Data, the global asphalt shingles market is forecasted to reach USD 9.8 billion by 2027. Asphalt shingles are a type of waterproof roofing material that has a long lifespan and is relatively inexpensive; in addition to their numerous colors and styles, makes them the most popular type of roofing material in North America. However, more than 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated in the US alone each year. In this study, we explored the use of a biobased emulsion composed of a partially epoxidized soybean oil together with a poly (acrylated epoxidized soybean oil) with a biobased surfactant to produce a spray that served as a rejuvenator of aged shingles. As asphalt shingles age, they become brittle, becoming less resistant to wind and hail. The application of the soybean oil-based spray to aged asphalt shingles restored their flexibility and dramatically improved their granule retention. This improvement makes for much longer-lasting asphalt shingles capable of standing extreme weather conditions for increased periods and thus decreasing the number of shingles that end up in landfills.