The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has released a new operational guide showing how routine burner tuning can help asphalt producers lower emissions, improve plant efficiency and reduce production costs.
The publication, Asphalt Mix Plants: Burner Tuning, outlines best practices for maintaining burner performance and includes a case study demonstrating how operational adjustments can deliver measurable environmental and financial benefits.
As pressure grows to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials, NAPA says improving plant operations has become an increasingly important strategy for asphalt producers.
Case study shows measurable improvements
The guide highlights results achieved by Construction Partners Inc. (CPI) at one of its asphalt plants in Alabama.
After optimizing the plant’s burner system, CPI reported:
- A 10% reduction in manufacturing-related emissions
- An 11% improvement in energy efficiency
- Approximately $0.21 in production savings per ton
- Improved performance within NAPA’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program
According to NAPA, the project demonstrates how relatively simple maintenance practices can improve both operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Practical recommendations for producers
The operational guide encourages asphalt plant operators to make burner tuning part of their regular maintenance programs.
Among its recommendations are:
- Performing burner tuning at least once a year
- Working with qualified technicians to optimize burner performance
- Monitoring combustion efficiency
- Tracking fuel consumption and energy performance over time
NAPA says these practices can help producers lower operating costs while supporting broader sustainability objectives across the asphalt industry.
Supporting long-term sustainability goals
The association notes that improving burner efficiency aligns with the industry’s Road Forward initiative, which promotes lower emissions and more sustainable asphalt production.
By reducing fuel consumption and optimizing plant operations, producers can strengthen their environmental performance while remaining competitive in a construction market that increasingly emphasizes carbon reduction and operational efficiency.
NAPA has made the new operational guide available to help asphalt producers identify practical opportunities to improve plant performance through routine maintenance and energy management.
