Challenge: The Town of Jackson, Wyoming, a legendary ski destination and gateway to the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, faces the challenge of preserving 71 lane miles of asphalt roads that must endure subzero, snow packed winters and 90-degree summers. The city also has a new, strategic plan to achieve net zero emissions in its municipal operations by 2030. Under this mandate, the Public Works Department was in search of innovative, eco-friendly solutions to minimize the frequent resurfacing required wherever freeze-thaw cycles are common.
Solution: In August 2024, Jackson initiated a pilot program to test RePlay™, an asphalt sealer made from soybean and recycled materials that reduce the carbon footprint of road maintenance. RePlay was applied to five streets with varying asphalt ages, from 2 to 25 years.
Manufactured by BioSpan Technologies, RePlay is 88% bio-based, with 40% derived from soybean oil. The solution rejuvenates aging asphalt by penetrating deeply into the surface, strengthening the binder and reducing brittleness. RePlay is a transparent liquid that cures quickly. This eliminates the need for repainting lane stripes and makes the road ready for use within hours instead of days, compared to traditional treatments.
" We’re excited about the results we’ve seen with RePlay. The initial core sample reports indicate it is an innovative solution that can reduce our carbon footprint while extending the life of our roads. That’s a win-win for everyone. "
Results: In January 2025, core samples of the top 1.25" of pavement were analyzed to measure penetration and percentage of additional binder added at each quarter-inch of depth.
The lab report shows:
Enhanced Durability | RePlay demonstrated the ability to rejuvenate aging asphalt, achieving deep penetration (up to 1.25 inches) and improving the quality of the existing binder. The binder content increased by an average of 5.15% compared to untreated control samples, reflecting the effectiveness of the treatment. |
Environmental and Financial Impact | The bio-based nature of RePlay made it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based sealers. By reducing carbon emissions and using renewable materials, RePlay will help the Town of Jackson meet its sustainability objectives while providing cost savings through reduced labor and material costs. |
Performance Data |
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Longevity Expectations | The Town of Jackson can expect the treated roads to perform for 4-5 more years before requiring another application of RePlay, significantly extending the lifespan of the asphalt. |
Read the article from Jackson Hole News & Guide
Looking Ahead: The Town of Jackson plans to expand the use of RePlay in 2025 for additional pavement preservation efforts based on the success of this pilot project. The Public Works Department intends to refine spray rate guidelines and monitor the performance of treated roads to optimize the effectiveness of RePlay and ensure the continued durability of Jackson's roads.