By Jesse Sanchez. 

APEX-1132™ is designed to work with aged asphalt to support shingle flexibility, granule adhesion and more consistent roof maintenance outcomes. 

Asphalt shingles age through prolonged exposure to sun, heat, oxygen, rain and freeze-thaw cycles. Over time, the asphalt binder can oxidize, dry out and become brittle, reducing the shingle’s ability to flex with normal roof movement and weather exposure. This deterioration often becomes visible through granule loss. Protective granules shield the asphalt from sunlight, weathering and surface wear, but as the binder becomes more brittle, shingles can begin shedding those granules one at a time. Aging can also affect the asphalt in the adhesive seal strip, potentially reducing its ability to keep shingles sealed and held down. SoyLei’s approach to roof reconditioning is designed around addressing these changes in aged asphalt. 

Not every oil-based treatment addresses these conditions in the same way. Surface-only oils may evaporate, oxidize, wash away or migrate excessively. Excessive volatility is particularly problematic because a treatment may leave the shingle before it can provide a lasting interaction with the aged asphalt. Fuel-type chemistries can also introduce instability rather than delivering the controlled compatibility needed for consistent roof reconditioning. 

APEX-1132 is a 5:1 modified soybean-oil concentrate made from semi-epoxidized soybean oil (SESO). It is engineered at the molecular level to interact directly with asphalt rather than simply dilute, coat or temporarily soften the binder. The penetrating treatment is designed for asphalt shingles that are aging but remain structurally sound. 

By restoring flexibility, improving granule adhesion and reactivating asphalt in the adhesive seal strip, APEX-1132 supports longer roof service life and improved durability for homeowners. For contractors, a treatment designed around controlled interaction with aged asphalt can support greater consistency, fewer customer complaints and more repeatable outcomes across roof maintenance projects. 

Learn more about APEX-1132 and SoyLei’s approach to asphalt shingle reconditioning!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

APEX-1132™ is specifically engineered for oxidized asphalt systems, prioritizing long-term compatibility, penetration and restoration over temporary surface darkening. 

SoyLei’s soy-derived roof chemistry is not the same as spraying raw soybean oil or biodiesel onto an asphalt roof. Although raw oils and biodiesel can temporarily soften asphalt, that short-term effect does not necessarily translate into lasting roof performance. APEX-1132 takes a different approach. Rather than functioning primarily as a temporary plasticizer or cosmetic treatment, its chemistry is engineered specifically for interaction with oxidized asphalt systems. The formulation is designed around compatibility with asphalt molecules, with the goal of penetrating and restoring the material instead of simply making the surface appear darker. 

That distinction matters because a visible change does not always indicate a meaningful change within the asphalt system. Products that mainly coat, soften or darken the surface may create an immediate cosmetic effect while offering limited long-term performance. Engineered chemistry is intended to address how the treatment interacts with aged asphalt at a molecular level. 

The term “soy-derived” can also create confusion. It describes the origin of part of the chemistry, not the application of untreated vegetable oil. In an engineered roof treatment, soy-derived components are incorporated into a formulation developed for a specific interaction with oxidized asphalt. 

Laboratory analysis can help illustrate these differences. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), oxidation studies and asphalt-aging evaluations can provide insight into how roof materials change over time and how a treatment interacts with those changes. These tools move the discussion beyond appearance and toward measurable chemical behavior. 

For building owners, contractors and roofing professionals, chemical compatibility is central to evaluating whether a treatment is designed for temporary softening or a more deliberate rejuvenation process. 

Learn more about how APEX-1132 is engineered for compatibility with oxidized asphalt systems!

By The Coffee Shops™. 

SoyLei’s APEX-1132™ helps contractors bring preventive maintenance into the asphalt-shingle roofing lifecycle. 

Roofing contractors know replacement drives business, but long-term customer relationships are often built before a roof reaches the end of its life. SoyLei’s APEX-1132™ gives contractors a way to approach asphalt-shingle care as preventive maintenance, helping customers address roof aging before replacement becomes the only practical option. 

The concept is simple: treat roof maintenance more like vehicle maintenance. Contractors may ultimately install a new roof for a customer, but regular care can help keep that customer connected to the company throughout the roofing lifecycle much like regular oil changes keep cars running well. 

"SoyLei recommends roofing contractors think of themselves as car dealers where, obviously they'd love to sell everybody a new car, but they have to take care of the cars they've sold and they also have to have a nice shop to funnel the customers in. And if they're (the customers) impressed with the service, they're going to think of them first when they are in the market for a new car.” 

APEX-1132 is a spray-applied, water-based roof rejuvenation treatment for aging but structurally sound asphalt shingles. The product is designed to penetrate compatible shingles, restore flexibility, improve granule adhesion and support the adhesive seal strip so shingles stay sealed, held down and better resist blow-off.  

For contractors, the product creates a maintenance conversation that can happen at many points in the roofing lifecycle. SoyLei positions it for dry, intact asphalt-shingle roofs, including newer roofs where the goal is early granule-preservation support and aging roofs showing stiffness, surface wear or granule loss. Roofs with active leaks, missing or severely damaged shingles, exposed mat, soft decking or structural issues should be repaired first or not treated. 

One gallon of APEX-1132 concentrate mixes with water to make six gallons of ready-to-spray treatment, covering about 1,200 square feet, or 12 roofing squares. Contractors can request bulk formats, contractor pricing, application guidance and direct support from SoyLei. 

Learn more about APEX-1132 and contractor pricing!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Roof treatments should support maintenance goals without materially increasing fire-performance concerns for homeowners or contractors. 

As roof rejuvenation becomes a more common part of asphalt shingle maintenance, SoyLei says contractors are being asked to look beyond flexibility, granule adhesion and dry time. Fire performance is now also part of the conversation, especially when some competing roof treatments carry poor flammability ratings. 

That concern matters because many asphalt shingle roofs being considered for rejuvenation are already weathered by sun, heat and oxidation. A roof treatment should not materially increase fire risk on a roof that is already aging. For homeowners, that question can connect directly to insurance, exposure, liability, wildfire risk and overall peace of mind. For contractors, it can affect whether they feel confident recommending a product, standing behind the work and avoiding callbacks or legal exposure tied to fire-performance questions. 

The issue has also created hesitation in the market. According to SoyLei, contractors are paying closer attention to flammability and health and safety questions when evaluating roof treatment options. The concern is not only for how a product performs during application, but also how it behaves once it has been introduced into an existing roof system. 

SoyLei positions the roof rejuvenation technology of APEX-1132™ around engineered asphalt-compatible chemistry without relying on fuel-like diluents. The product is described as a water-based, low-odor formula for aging asphalt shingles designed to help restore flexibility, improve granule adhesion and support preventive roof maintenance. The one-gallon concentrate is mixed with five parts water to one part concentrate before spray application, with typical application guidance of 200 square feet per gallon. 

The chemistry matters because biodiesel-based emulsions are fundamentally derived from fuel chemistry. By contrast, APEX-1132™ is described as using large molecular structures that are inherently difficult to ignite, with ignition resistance becoming even stronger once the chemistry has reacted with the roof system. 

For contractors evaluating rejuvenation options, roof maintenance should improve the condition of aging shingles without creating avoidable safety concerns. 

Learn more about APEX-1132™ roof rejuvenation at SoyLei’s APEX-1132 technical library!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Apex 1132™ is positioned as a soy-derived roofing maintenance product designed to support shingle flexibility, granule adhesion and contractor service programs. 

This episode of Roofing Road Trips® features Eric Cochran, co-founder of SoyLei, in a conversation about Apex 1132™, a soy-derived roof maintenance product built from research that began at Iowa State University. The discussion focuses on how asphalt aging can impact shingles and how contractors may use maintenance as a long-term customer relationship tool.  

What problem does Apex 1132 address for asphalt shingles? 

“Apex 1132 is a roofing maintenance product and it restores the ductility and pliability of aged shingles closer to like-new conditions. And most importantly, it also increases the bonding between the roofing granules and the asphalt binder,” Eric shared. 

He explained that aging shingles lose flexibility as asphalt oxidizes under sunlight and heat. That oxidation can also weaken the bond between asphalt and roofing granules, which is why the product is aimed at the material already in place rather than functioning only as a surface coating. 

How does the product work differently than a coating? 

Eric explained, “It will penetrate throughout the entire thickness of the shingle. We've done that. We weren't thinking of this as a company when the research started. This was a university research project originally. So, we tested everything.” 

The active ingredient, which Eric described as a modified soybean oil called CISO, is designed to absorb into asphalt and attach to damaged, oxidized chemical sites. Heat from sunlight helps drive the reaction after application. 

Where does maintenance fit in for contractors? 

“What I would encourage roofing contractors to think of this product as is a very important component of a roofing maintenance program,” Eric urged. 

Eric connected the idea to residential service and maintenance; a model already familiar on the commercial side. Eric compared it to preventive care maintenance, positioning shingle treatment as one more way contractors can stay connected with homeowners after installation. 

For contractors building recurring residential services, Apex 1132 adds a new point of conversation around roof conditions, aging and upkeep.  

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about soy-based shingle rejuvenation!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Contractors and homeowners are gaining new roof maintenance options through engineered asphalt rejuvenation chemistry designed to extend roof life and support long-term infrastructure sustainability. 

SoyLei, a materials-science company focused on asphalt-compatible chemistry, is positioning its APEX-1132™ technology as part of a broader infrastructure and roof maintenance platform designed to support contractors, recyclers and homeowners. The company recently outlined how its roof rejuvenation products differ from franchise-style roof treatment operations and commodity oil-based applications. 

According to SoyLei, APEX-1132 is engineered specifically to interact with asphalt at the molecular level rather than simply coat the roof surface. The company said the treatment is designed to penetrate aging asphalt shingles, restore flexibility and improve granule adhesion while helping maintain the shingle adhesive seal strip. 

SoyLei describes the product as a “5:1 modified soybean-oil concentrate engineered to penetrate asphalt shingles, restore shingle flexibility, improve granule adhesion and reactivate the asphalt in the shingle adhesive seal strip so shingles stay sealed, held down, resist blow-off and help extend roof life.” 

The company emphasizes that APEX-1132 is not a paint, cosmetic coating or emulsified biodiesel product. Instead, the technology was developed through research at Iowa State University and continues to be supported directly by the original chemical and civil engineering team behind the product. 

SoyLei also highlighted its contractor-focused business structure. Unlike some roof rejuvenation businesses that operate through franchise agreements or restrictive territories, the company said contractors maintain ownership of their customer relationships and business branding. Contractors can purchase products in multiple package sizes ranging from one-gallon containers to bulk programs intended for larger-scale operations. 

Beyond roofing, SoyLei said its chemistry platform supports broader asphalt recycling and infrastructure applications. The company explained that its additives are designed to help producers increase recycled asphalt pavement and recycled asphalt shingle content while maintaining pavement durability and improving lifecycle performance. 

The company additionally noted that homeowners can contact SoyLei directly to discuss roof maintenance questions and product applications with the founders. 

Learn more about APEX-1132 roof rejuvenation and SoyLei’s asphalt chemistry platform!

SoyLei is committed to developing soy-based technologies designed to extend roof life, improve asphalt performance and reduce waste across infrastructure systems. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning online communities where the industries meet for technologies, safety, information and education for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living are pleased to welcome SoyLei into their community. 

SoyLei develops soy-based additives, rejuvenators and specialty chemicals engineered to improve the lifespan and performance of asphalt pavements, roofs and other infrastructure systems. Founded in 2008 during an asphalt supply crisis, the company focuses on creating cost-effective solutions that help reduce waste, improve efficiency and support sustainable construction practices. Its roofing technology includes APEX-1132™, a spray-applied rejuvenation treatment designed to restore aging asphalt shingles, improve granule adhesion and help extend roof service life. 

From this company, you can expect: 

• Soy-based roof rejuvenation technology engineered to restore aging asphalt shingles 
• Asphalt additives and rejuvenators designed to improve pavement durability and recycled material performance 
• Zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) formulations focused on reducing environmental impact 
• Infrastructure preservation solutions for roofing, pavements and concrete applications 
• Support for contractors looking to add roof maintenance services to their business offerings 
• Research-backed products supported by peer-reviewed experiments and third-party evaluations 

The Coffee Shops are proud to welcome SoyLei!

About SoyLei 

SoyLei transforms soybean oil into high-performance, cost-effective rejuvenators, additives and specialty chemicals designed to extend the life of roofs, pavements and infrastructure systems. The company’s technologies are engineered to improve asphalt flexibility, durability and recycled material performance while helping reduce waste and environmental impact. Serving customers nationwide since 2008, SoyLei continues to develop soy-based solutions that support long-term infrastructure preservation and sustainable construction practices. Its products also help contractors and property owners maximize maintenance efficiency while lowering long-term lifecycle costs.