The AMI Lab: Pioneering Asphalt Innovation

The AMI Lab is a network of research and testing facilities throughout the Midwest, serving as the technical backbone and providing quality control for Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI). Located onsite at many AMI terminal locations, these labs handle everything from routine quality assessments and customer support to product research and development. This comprehensive network means that AMI can support customers with a variety of asphalt needs and challenges.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) accredits AMI lab facilities, which require the labs to submit to a rigorous, biennial third-party assessment of testing competency. The lab teams across AMI evaluate thousands of asphalt samples annually to ensure state and project specifications are met. On a more local level, individual labs can quickly adapt to market changes, customer needs, and industry trends. For larger scale projects or more in-depth testing, they can leverage the additional technical expertise of the Heritage Research Group (HRG).

This partnership of technical researchers and quality assurance gives AMI the ability to tackle even the most challenging pavement questions. When the industry experienced a critical need for longitudinal joint preservation, the technical experts at HRG were able to respond quickly with a solution, J-Band, a void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM). The AMI labs then supported the process of bringing J-Band to market. This natural pipeline provides quicker access for customers to find solutions that save them time and money while increasing the safety of their community’s drivers and workers.

Launching a product geared toward pavement preservation fits right into the company’s portfolio of products, with sustainability as a key focus. Additional sustainability efforts in the labs take shape as an exploration of bio-based materials and innovations to reduce AMI’s carbon footprint. The company anticipates a shift toward customers purchasing materials based on performance and environmental impact, including products derived from plants and other eco-friendly sources. With federal funding, such as the Low Carbon Transportation Materials grant, encouraging these initiatives, the demand for low-carbon opportunities supports the continued research of these materials at the labs.

Whether the AMI labs adapt materials to meet new local specification changes or work with technical experts at HRG to find solutions to nationwide challenges, this network presents a distinct advantage. AMI’s commitment to sustainable solutions and its advanced technical competencies position it as a leader in the asphalt industry, capable of addressing both current and future challenges.