UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES: CHEMICAL SALES IN THE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT INDUSTRIES

by Joseph Daniel - ITD, Inc.

Concrete and asphalt plants are an attractive segment for chemical sales. For one, these are national industries with locations in nearly every county. Further, it is a bulk chemical business whereby totes and drums are the norm, and the volume can be large. This article is a brief overview of the key chemical products and methods of application that you need to pursue this attractive segment.

In both concrete and asphalt, the simplest way to think about what chemical products are used is either for (i) removing material or (ii) preventing material from sticking in the first place. The chemistries involved in each industry are distinct from each other, but they accomplish the same thing.

Concrete Plants

Concrete Removers—Quite simply, these products are used to remove concrete splatter that builds up on trucks and equipment during the day.

Heavy Buildup

Economy: muriatic acid-based products are the tried-and-true method of removing stubborn, dried concrete. However, some plants have moved away from muriaticbased products due to safety and corrosivity concerns. ITD product: Super Crete-X.

Premium: glycolic acid-based products are the safe and environmentally friendly method of removing concrete. However, they tend to be more expensive. ITD Product: Break Down.

Daily Cleaners

Light concrete dust and general maintenance cleaning is a different concept from the removal of heavy buildup. A daily cleaner is typically used alongside a heavy buildup remover. ITD Product: Phos-Clean.

Cleaning the cab of the truck requires a different product than cleaning the concrete-exposed parts of the truck. An alkaline cab wash is the final piece of the maintenance puzzle. ITD Product: T&D Dual Purpose.

Delivery System

Standard 330 gallon totes are the usual field delivery method. Products are diluted before delivery, and foamers are used to bring the chemical to the surface.

Concrete Releases—Prevents concrete from sticking in the first place! These products are most commonly used on concrete forms and form liners but can also be used on equipment, tools, and truck surfaces. Release products create a slick surface that prevents the bonding of concrete, which reduces the need to remove hardened concrete and makes the cleanup process easier. Critically, this enables the recycling of forms. ITD Product: Easy Crete Release.

Asphalt Plants

Asphalt Removers—These products are for removing hot or cooled asphalt and tar. These products are solvents (not dilutable) as water-based chemicals do not work well in the application. If the asphalt is hot, such as in cleaning drags and other production equipment, a high flash point solvent must be used. If the application is for cooled asphalt in the field, lower flash point solvents can be used.

Economy: These are typically the result of cutting premium materials with cheaper, lower-flash solvents. ITD Product: Drag Slat Cleaner.

Premium: Citrus and soy are the common premium base materials and are most efficient at dissolving asphalt material. ITD Product: OJ and CitraTar.

High Flash: When the need is to remove hot (>250-degree F) asphalt, you must use a high flash point product. ITD Product: SM-100.

Asphalt Releases— This coating is for the bed of asphalt trucks before material is poured in. The coating discourages binding of tar to the truck bed and encourages easy removal in the field.

Traditionally solvents such as soy were used for this purpose. ITD Product: SM-100.

Water-based products are now more popular because they are dilutable and much more economical. ITD Product: Slip Soap.

Delivery System

There is an equipment component that is typically provided by the chemical provider, which is an arch system used to spray the product into the truck beds.

Regulations

State-based National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) approval process is required for most applications of asphalt releases. Each state is different.

Joseph Daniel is the owner and CEO of ITD Chemical LLC since 2020. For more information call 1-800-472-1233, visit www.ITDinc.biz, or email customerservice2@itdinc.biz. CT