In the Asia/Pacific region, growth has been driven by the rapid industrialization being undertaken in developing industrial economies.

World demand for asphalt products is projected to increase 2.3% per year to 114 million metric tons in 2009. Growth prospects for asphalt will vary widely, with the more developed areas (North America, Western Europe, Japan) registering relatively slow gains, while developing economies will post much more robust advances.

In the Asia/Pacific region (Japan excluded), which accounted for 26% of total world demand in 2004, growth is being driven by the rapid industrialization being undertaken in developing industrial economies, especially in China and India.

Demand is advancing at above-average rates in the remaining regions of the world (Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa/Mideast) as many of these nations continue to industrialize.

Paving products, which accounted for 85% of world asphalt demand in 2004, will continue to dominate consumption, reflecting improved levels of road-building activity.

NAPA publishes coffee table book
A hundred years ago, there wasn’t a paved highway anywhere in America. Today, our way of life depends on paved highways, streets, roads and parking lots.

A lavishly illustrated new book, Paving the Way: Asphalt in America, tells the story of asphalt, but it does more. By intertwining the history of this familiar substance with the social, economic, political and cultural history of the U.S., it shows how our road network has shaped America’s economy and the very fabric of our lives.

The book starts with the first significant network of hard-surfaced roads, those built by the Romans, and takes the reader right up to the present day.

In addition to surveying the history of hot-mix asphalt technology, the book entertains readers with stories about the colorful characters who have been involved in asphalt, including McAdam in the 18th century, the Asphalt Tycoon at the end of the 19th century and the Warren family at the beginning of the 20th century. More than 250 historical and color images bring the story to life.

Paving the Way: Asphalt in America shows how asphalt got America out of the mud. It takes the reader on trips down Rte. 66, through the national parks and along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.

It describes how the spreading network of roads in the early 20th century helped farmers get their goods to market and contributed to the growth of commerce and goes on to show the influence of the Interstate Highway System.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the interstate system this year, Paving the Way: Asphalt in America could not be more timely. The 304-page hardbound book, written by Dan McNichol, is available at $25 per copy on NAPA’s website at www.hotmix.org or by calling the toll-free order line at 888/468-6499.

New Tool Box Talks
NAPA recently published Tool Box Talks, a series of short training presentations designed for training paving crews in the field. The topics are "Truck Exchange," "Longitudinal Joint Construction," "MTV Exchange," "Rolling Procedures" and "Forces of Compaction."

Each Tool Box Talk kit includes a large-format flip-chart presentation plus five pocket-size trainee booklets. No more clumsy three-ring binders to wrestle with; the Tool Box Talks are complete and easy to use and can be set up in seconds on any flat surface.

They fold flat for easy storage and transportation. The full-color, large-format flip charts are heavily illustrated with graphics on one side and the text on the other, giving the presenter a clear, concise, easy-to-read message to deliver to workers.

The Tool Box Talks (order numbers TAS-32, "Truck Exchange"; TAS-33, "Longitudinal Joint Construction"; TAS-34, "Forces of Compaction"; TAS-35, "Rolling Procedures"; and TAS-36, "MTV Exchange") are available from NAPA at a list price of $155 per module. The discounted price for government agencies is $115 per module.

Orders may be placed at www.hotmix.org, by calling toll-free 888/468-6499, by e-mail to publications@hotmix.org or by fax to the Publications Department at 301/731-4621.