About ATHABASCA ASPHALT COMPANY (AAC)
AAC Ltd. is a Canadian company working with industry, government, and indigenous leaders to validate Athabasca bitumen for bitumen beyond combustion (BBC) uses like asphalt binder. BBC converts mined and SAGD-produced bitumen to products that aren't used as fuel, saving 60% to 80% of CO₂ emissions.
The four main non-combustible Bitumen products
Asphalt Binder
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Asphalt Binder
Mixed with aggregate and used for paving
The market demand is 4 million bbl/d and growing
Carbon fibre
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Asphalt Binder
High value and job-intensive product
Full build-out is forecasted to need 1.5 million bbl/d of bitumen
Hard Carbon Batteries
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Also a high-value, job-intensive product
Low bitumen volume requirement
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Waterproofing and Fabrics
Waterproofing and Fabrics
The market is 300 thousand bbl/d
What We are doing and why
What Are We Doing
The first initiative, through a commercial pilot plant test, seeks to validate the laboratory claim that Athabasca bitumen makes the best asphalt binder. The validation will provide a global, large-scale opportunity for Athabasca bitumen and support an economic and sustainable future for the oil and gas industry and the people of Alberta in the net zero economy.
A Few Asphalt Basics
First, there are few important definitions to know:
Asphalt binder- the residue from petroleum refining.
Asphalt- Aggregate (crushed stone or gravel) mixed with asphalt binder that hold the aggregate mix together. Together, these form the road surface.
For paving purposes, binder must be produced from a carefully chosen crude oil blend, and processed to an appropriate grade.
Why Athabasca Asphalt
Alberta bitumen is highly desirable for making asphalt binders because it is low in wax and high in asphaltenes. It is believed that asphalt binder from the Athabasca region should be the best in the world for paving roads... while theorized, this has never been properly tested.
Our Commitment
The annual global asphalt binder market approaches 100 million tonnes worth $50+ billion (Alberta Innovates). We are committed to developing the Athabasca asphalt binder market as it is a clean use of local resources. Good for the planet. Good for the economy.