Introduction
The Global Asphalt Pavement Alliance (GAPA) was founded in 2008.
It was a formalisation of the already existing good co-operation between global trade associations involved in the production and laying of asphalt.
The asphalt associations around the world are all facing similar challenges and they require a strategic and fundamental cooperation of its industry associations and representatives.
The GAPA members are convinced that global developments and challenges that are likely to impact the sustainability of the asphalt industry can best be dealt with in a framework of international cooperation which will provide systems for exchange of information and experiences in order to find common solutions.
The GAPA members acknowledge their good co-operation in the past and will base their future collaboration on the same mutual trust.
The Founders of GAPA are
• Australian Asphalt Pavement Association - AAPA
• European Asphalt Pavement Association - EAPA
• Japanese Road Contractors Association - JRCA
• National Asphalt Pavement Association - NAPA
• South African Bitumen Association – SABITA
Membership shall be open to regional and national trade associations whose activities are related to the production and laying of asphalt for pavements.
Key Strategic areas of GAPA
The following key areas indicate those deemed to be strategic in respect of the competitiveness and the sustainability of asphalt and thus the future wellbeing of GAPA constituents, and shall provide the terms of reference for future discussions, meetings and activities.
A targeted approach to be adopted to deal with specific issues and agreed actions in respect of:
a) Environmental affairs
b) Occupational health and safety
c) Marketing and promotion of asphalt
d) Awareness and implications of changes and trends of global markets in relation to component materials, i.e. bitumen and aggregates;
e) Engineering and technology developments and implementation thereof;
f) Training and education of producers, applicators, designers and the users of asphalt;
g) Research and development goals and projects.