Astec (NASDAQ: ASTE) announced it has joined The Road Forward, an industry-wide initiative of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), to engage, educate, and empower the U.S. asphalt community to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements by 2050.

“Sustainability is embedded in our strategy,” said Jaco van der Merwe, Group President, Astec. “We have a responsibility to do what is right for society and our planet, and that includes doing our part to help combat climate change.”

Launched in January 2022, The Road Forward is a multi-year effort of collaboration and cooperation among the asphalt industry that will help pave the way toward innovation and implementation of sustainable solutions.

In supporting The Road Forward, Astec is providing industry leadership on climate action. The company’s support will help fund ongoing research and education to aid the entire U.S. asphalt industry in producing net zero carbon emission asphalt production and construction by 2050.

“It is significant that Astec has committed to The Road Forward,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Since its founding, the company has demonstrated leadership on issues that advance our industry, the communities they serve, and our shared climate. Astec’s support of The Road Forward propels our collective vision for the future: sustainable communities and commerce, connected by net zero carbon asphalt pavements.”

Astec is a founding member of NAPA and has been a leader in the manufacture of environmentally friendly asphalt paving and production equipment, including sustainable solutions like Cold Planers and Double Barrel drum mixers.

“Our partnership with NAPA and The Road Forward reaffirms our public commitment to design and manufacture heavy equipment that helps promote a healthy environment for generations to come,” van der Merwe said.

For more information about The Road Forward, including details on the industry goals, visit AsphaltPavement.org/Forward.