ReINVEST: Revitalizing Infrastructure with eco-friendly soybean-elastomer technology - Green and heat free crack seals, cold patches, and coatings

SoyLei Innovations LLC aims to revolutionize the nearly $1 billion/year global market for asphalt crack sealing and filling through the development of non-toxic vegetable oil-based ambient temperature cross-linking technology. Traditional sealants demand heating to 400°F requiring costly specialized equipment and posing environmental health and safety risks. Our innovation uses our proprietary polyacrylated high oleic epoxidized soybean oil (PAEHOSO) technology which has shown promise in enhancing the elastic properties of both new and recycled asphalt. PAEHOSO can be mixed with asphalt and other non-toxic diluents to make a flowable composition at room temperature and then cured to a mechanically robust elastic seal. This biobased technology offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative that also bolsters the domestic agricultural sector. In Phase I we will focus on optimizing composition time and temperature relationships for the proposed curing system. This research will help us formulate mixtures with the ideal rheological properties for crack sealing applications (VitalaPlusTM Crack-Seal). Variables such as PAEHOSO molecular weight copolymer composition and crosslink density will be assessed to fine-tune the mechanical properties of the end product. Furthermore adhesion with existing asphalt pavements will be evaluated. Anticipated outcomes include data-driven guidelines for maximized performance economic and environmental benefits established in conjunction with techno-economic and life-cycle analyses. Successful completion will pave the way for next-phase product development and field trials. This project aligns well with USDA's objectives of fostering innovative and sustainable technologies promising both economic and ecological returns.