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.