Mixing Materials

Welcome to Mixing Materials, a podcast that is dedicated to professionals in the construction materials industry! Whether you work in a construction materials testing lab, as a civil engineer, or in materials production, this podcast connects you with experts who share valuable industry knowledge and personal experiences.

Our interviews go beyond technical discussions—while we cover topics that impact your daily work, we also dive into the stories, career journeys, and perspectives of the people shaping the industry. Mixing knowledge with personality, we bring the construction materials community closer together.

Yogesh Kumbargeri: Inside the Petersen Asphalt Research Conference

Interview at Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)

Annual Meeting, Winter 2025

Ever think, "I can't believe this is my job"?

In this episode, Yogesh Kumbargeri, Lead Research Engineer at Western Research Institute, shares what it’s like to lead the Petersen Asphalt Research Conference, from in-depth technical planning to choosing the wine for the welcome reception. He reflects on the conference’s rich history, its uniquely welcoming atmosphere, and how it brings the entire asphalt industry together in Laramie, Wyoming.

Yogesh also shares who he’d most like to grab a coffee, beer, or hike with—from current colleagues to industry legends.

The 2025 conference takes place July 14–17—don’t forget your hiking shoes!

Registration here: Petersen Asphalt Research Conference

YouTube Shorts:

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Yogesh Kumbargeri: Alternative Binder & Asphalt Supply

Interview at Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)

Annual Meeting, Winter 202

In this episode, we dig into the future of asphalt—yes, really. Yogesh Kumbargeri joins us to unpack a surprisingly urgent and fascinating topic: alternative binders. As we transition away from fossil fuels, what happens to the oil-derived asphalt we rely on for roads, roofs, and runways?

Kumbargeri explains what alternative binders are (spoiler: they’re often bio-based), why they matter in 2025 and beyond, and what his early research reveals about how these new materials behave. From chemistry surprises to the surprising lack of that familiar "asphalt smell," we explore why simply swapping in new materials isn’t so simple—and why getting it right matters for both the planet and the people working in the asphalt industry.

We also discuss the challenges of scaling from lab to road, the need for new specifications, and the social side of sustainable innovation. Oh, and yes, there’s a quote instead of a theme song: "Don’t judge a book by its cover."

If you're into climate tech, infrastructure, or just love a good "it looks like asphalt but isn't" story, this one’s for you.

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