About RenuCore™
CertainTeed has set an ambitious goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2035. Managing the lifecycle of their roofing products helps keep more materials out of landfills - advancing a more circular, sustainable building materials system.
RenuCore is the most viable technology for transforming shingle waste into a value-added raw material for the asphalt paving industry.
RenuCore™ is an innovative pelletized high-performance asphalt modifier produced with nearly 100% reclaimed materials, primarily recycled asphalt shingles (RAS). It is designed to stabilize raw material supply, reduce costs, and maintain or improve hot mix asphalt performance.
It addresses challenges in the hot mix asphalt industry, such as fluctuating asphalt and energy costs, variability in recycled content, supply security, and environmental concerns related to landfilling shingles.
Yes. The process is low-energy, uses no heat or solvents, and creates no additional waste streams. It enables recycling of millions of tons of shingles that would otherwise be landfilled.
Performance & Technical Details
In addition to the potential to significantly reduce the volume of shingles going to landfills, RenuCore technology significantly improves the viability of RAS use into HMA by effectively modifying the performance grade of the asphalt binder to align with, and replace, virgin binders used in HMA.
Unlike traditional ground shingles, RenuCore™ pellets are produced by grinding shingles, adding a recycling agent during pelletizing, and coating for structural support and water resistance. This process overcomes issues like agglomeration, inconsistent feed rates, and airborne fiberglass.
The recycling agent is added during pelletizing, directly reacting for an extended period with the oxidized asphalt to modify the performance grade, effectively bringing the grade in line with traditional paving grades.
We have completed a full course of laboratory quality testing as well as field performance testing of pavements that use RenuCore pellets. All test reports are available upon request.
Yes, RenuCore pellets can be used in both base and surface layers.
Yes, there is no separation of components; the entire shingle is incorporated into the pelletization process.
At least 20% asphalt content is present, with manufacturing waste typically at 23% and post-consumer waste at 26%.
We have no evidence that Renucore improves rutting or design flexibility, the airborne particles have nothing to do with HMA performance.
Case studies indicate that cracking resistance is actually improved significantly by enriching the mix with RenuCore pellets (without increasing total AC%). RenuCore pellet asphalt has a wide Useful Temperature Interval allowing it to be crack and rut resistant.
Agencies typically limit RAS to 5%, but private work can go higher. Tests have been done at 10%, 20%, and 40%, depending on mix design and regulatory limits.
No, because of the composite nature of the pellets (including fiberglass, granules, limestone, sand), the material would damage the fiberglass mat in the shingle production process.. Separation technologies are being explored for future possibilities.
Implementation & Operations
RenuCore’s pelletized product can be introduced directly through your RAP feeder, where it will blend homogeneously into any mix.
Pellets are stable and can be stored like aggregate, ideally under cover to prevent moisture and coating runoff.
Yes, pellets can be transported like aggregate.
We can recommend partners that are experts in magnetic removal of debris such as ferrous and non-ferrous nails within the grinding process. Partnerships with roofing contractors can ensure cleaner shingle deliveries. The CDRA provides Shingle Recycling Best Practices and Guidelines: https://shinglerecycling.org/resources/
Small-scale samples are available for lab testing. Large-scale samples can also be coordinated for test paves.
Licensing & Economics
RenuCore is making the manufacturing IP available for license by construction and demolition (C&D) recyclers and hot mix asphalt producers; at this time we are not selling the pellets directly.
End-to-end support includes dedicated engineers for plant design, build, startup, commissioning, and ongoing product and process development. Partners also benefit from R&D resources and policy advocacy.
For a payback period of less than 5 years, typically the minimum production capacity is around 15,000 tons, but this is highly variable and dependent on specific factors such as business model (C&D recycler vs. HMA producer), local tipping fees, labor costs, and virgin asphalt costs.
Due to the high level of variability in factors such as tipping fees, labor costs, virgin asphalt costs, business models (HMA producer vs. C&D recycler), and designed capacity, the payback period can range from less than a year up to six years. Post payoff ROI can range from 50% to over 200%.
RenuCore™ is licensed to hot mix asphalt producers or C&D recyclers, allowing them to own their production process and profits. The licensing fee is designed to protect IP, not as a revenue stream for CertainTeed.
RenuCore pellets can be produced for significantly less than the cost to buy virgin asphalt, typically saving HMA producers well over $2/ton in raw material costs, which can translate to over $1 million per year in savings.
CapEx varies based on throughput, site conditions, and available existing equipment. Contact us and we will put together a custom estimate!
Acceptance varies by state. CertainTeed is working with DOTs where possible and offers policy and advocacy support to partners.
