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Aggregates Foundation for Technology, Research and Education (AFTRE)

The Aggregates Foundation for Technology, Research, and Education (AFTRE) was formed as a tax-exempt foundation by joint action of the National Aggregates Association and the National Stone Association in 1990. A Board of Trustees consisting of twelve representatives from the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association governs the Foundation.

The purpose of the Foundation is to receive tax-deductible contributions. AFTRE began its first of two fund raising campaigns in 1991. Contributions donated during these successful campaigns have resulted in a current invested AFTRE endowment of approximately six million dollars. The Board of Trustees, with advice from its Investment Advisory Committee, manages these invested funds on behalf of the entire aggregates industry.

The AFTRE Mission is:

  • To permit the development of sound technical and scientific information about aggregate products;

  • To promote understanding of factors influencing the properties of aggregates and of mixtures in which aggregates are used;

  • To provide information to federal and state user agencies to permit the design of improved structures utilizing aggregates;

  • To assist users to make knowledgeable choices in the marketplace;

  • To conduct educational programs for the transfer of research information to practicing and future engineers.

The initial objective of AFTRE was reached in 1992 with the establishment of the International Center for Aggregates Research (ICAR) at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A & M University. Following expiration of the original contract, the AFTRE Trustees executed a new three-year contract for operation of the Center through the year 2004.

Each spring, ICAR conducts an Annual Aggregates Symposium for producers and users of aggregate products. The theme of the Symposium is traditional aggregate applications in portland cement concrete, hot mix asphalt and highway base courses, as well as special topics of importance to the industry, such as uses of aggregate fines.

Research has been the principle focus of ICAR and several research projects are active on a wide range of aggregate applications, including portland cement concrete, hot mix asphalt and base courses. AFTRE and ICAR continue to pursue leveraging of AFTRE research funds with outside money for additional aggregates research.

The AFTRE Trustees and ICAR Directors have challenged the Center and the researchers to continually improve, and strategies are being developed to provide a more effective organization. Foremost among these, the Center now has approval for employment of a full-time managing associate director to aid in planning and coordination of research programs and to improve communications with industry.

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