Andy Bowers is the Business Unit Manager - Roads & Industrial at ACI Group. He is responsible for the growth and development of the company's road portfolio across the UK & Ireland. Working closely with Bitumen emulsion producers, bitumen producers / suppliers, contractors, manufacturers and strategic road stakeholders, to support product development and the adoption of new technologies within the highways sector. Prior to joing ACI Group, Andy was Key Account Sales Engineer for almost 11 years at Colas Ltd, Supporting major civil engineering, national contractors and local authorties. During his time, Andy developed extensive knowledge of both cold and hot surface treatments including Micro Asphalt, slurry seal, surface dressing, bulk emulsion / bitumen and recycling techniques, providing both commercial and technical support across the sector, helping to bridge the gap between technical innovation and practical delivery. With over 20 years experience in the construction and highways, Andy is actively engaged in the wider community through his membership in the Road Emulsion Association (REA) and Institute Asphalt Technology (IAT), reflecting his commitment to knowledge sharing, industry collaboration and the ongoing development of sustainable and effective road maintenance practices. Andy is passionate about supporting the future of UK road network through innovation, collaboration and the delivery of solutions that improve the long term asset performance.
What are the real-world performance benefits of alternative materials when subjected to heavy traffic and extreme weather? This panel addresses the balance between sustainable material innovation and proven durability to determine which emerging technologies are genuinely ready for network-wide adoption.