News

Solvent Deasphalting Pilot Testing at WRI

December 8, 2025

Western Research Institute operates a 5-barrel-per-day SDA pilot plant, available for custom testing and research. As an independent facility, our focus is purel Watch our engineers discuss the capabilities of our SDA plant on our YouTube channel! y on delivering objective, high-quality data.

Western Research Institute Announces New Chairperson Ralph Shirts!

December 8, 2025

The Board of Directors of Western Research Institute is pleased to announce that it has elected Ralph Shirts as its next Chairperson. Mr. Shirts replaces Dr. Myron Allen, who has served as Chairperson for the past 7 years.

Revolutionizing Wind Turbine Blade Recycling

November 20, 2025

Revolutionizing Wind Turbine Blade Recycling Wind power is green, but what about the massive composite blades? They are currently ending up in landfills or being burned, releasing greenhouse gases, and wasting valuable material. We found a better way! This video reveals the innovative renewable chemistry that transforms highly durable composite resins from discarded blades into high-value asphalt recycling agents.

WRI Mesophase Research

October 27, 2025

The Western Research Institute (WRI) is pioneering mesophase pitch research utilizing different feedstocks in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Mesophase pitch is a crucial precursor for mid- and high-performance carbon fiber, highly conductive carbon foam, electrodes, and other advanced carbon materials.

What is SAR-AD?

September 15, 2025

WRI SAR - AD, Asphalt compositional characterization for high quality product selection.

Thank You to Our Incredible Petersen Asphalt Research Conference Community!

September 2, 2025

Join us in celebrating these remarkable team members: Chris Seago, Joseph "Cole" Tietjen, Jason trout, and Morena Wroblewski.

Shining a Spotlight on WRI's Incredible Talent!

July 7, 2025

Join us in celebrating these remarkable team members: Chris Seago, Joseph "Cole" Tietjen, Jason trout, and Morena Wroblewski.

Precision Materials for a Lighter Future: Advanced Carbon Fibers from Hydrocarbon Feedstocks

May 27, 2025

WRI is at the forefront of material innovation, transforming hydrocarbon feedstocks into high-performance carbon fibers with extraordinary mechanical properties. Our advanced synthetic and engineering processes are creating materials that enable lighter, stronger, and more efficient solutions across various sectors.

Podcast on the Coal-to-Asphalt project

May 12, 2025

Turning coal into asphalt instead of burning it? This is the great idea that Western Research Institute and University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) are working on in the coal-to-asphalt project

Jeramie Adams presented WRI’s upcycling technology for Recycled Asphalt Shingles to Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)!

May 5, 2025

Jeramie Adams, Vice-President of the RenuMAT group (RENewable Upcycling Materials and Asphalt Technologies) at Western Research Institute, was invited to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association’s Spring Committee Meeting Series in Charlotte NC in March 2025.