What's that smell? Hog manure becomes asphalt

[April 20, 2010]  EUREKA, Mo. (AP) -- The outer road along Interstate 44 near Six Flags St. Louis is freshly paved -- with asphalt made from recycled swine manure.

It is believed to be the first time asphalt has been created from swine manure. Two St. Louis County companies, road contractor Pace Construction Co. and the engineering firm Innoventor, joined together on the project.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Innoventor perfected the process of converting the animal waste into a bio-oil used in asphalt binder.

Hog producers are optimistic that, if the project works, it will create an additional source of revenue while helping the environment.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com/

[Associated Press]

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