As commercial roofing systems grow increasingly complex and weather conditions become more extreme, the demand for roofing and waterproofing solutions that provide durability, sustainability, and ease of installation is higher than ever. Siplast is addressing these challenges head-on through its innovative RISE Center, a facility that integrates research and development with education, hands-on training, and rigorous product testing.
RISE represents another significant milestone in Siplast's 60-year legacy of pioneering groundbreaking product solutions. While the importance of product innovation can't be overstated, it's equally important that new materials are tested in real-world conditions. RISE bridges this gap by providing an environment for cutting-edge research as well as practical applications.
The Role of the RISE Center in Roofing Innovation
RISE, an acronym that stands for Research, Innovate, Support, and Evolve, serves as Siplast's central hub for product development, material testing, and hands-on training. Located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the RISE Center opened in 2021 and houses facilities for research, education, and innovation.
Within its state-of-the-art labs, Siplast scientists develop ideas, formulate new products, and perform chemical analysis and rigorous material testing. Their research also addresses key challenges related to operations, production, manufacturing, and long-term product durability.
Moving beyond the typical rarefied lab environment, the team at RISE collaborates closely with contractors, architects, and consultants to develop products that meet real-world needs. They conduct extensive testing—both indoor and outdoor—to help ensure these solutions perform reliably in actual field conditions.
As Siplast Vice President and General Manager Kirk Goodrum says about RISE, "It's not just creating the products here in the lab. Our users have to be able to apply them. It needs to support their reputation in the field for long-term applications."
Why Field Validation Matters
By exposing new products to real-world conditions, researchers gain valuable insights into durability, weather resistance, and installation best practices.
For example, the testing that led to the development of Siplast's SBS-modified bitumen roofing technology in the 1960s differs in important ways from the approach used for Siplast Parapro Roof Membrane Resin, which was developed in the early 2000s.
Siplast SBS-modified bitumen is a two-ply asphalt and styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) polymer blend that contains, at most, three to four components. It protects against heavy foot traffic and ultraviolet (UV) exposure through its membrane redundancy and granulated top layer. To help ensure long-term performance, SBS-modified bitumen must undergo rigorous peak load and elongation testing under various conditions. These results ultimately help determine the optimal ratio of asphalt to SBS in the formula, which is key to a roof's durability and longevity.
In comparison, Siplast Parapro Roof Membrane is a liquid-based polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) product composed of 20 to 30 chemical components. Designed for installations that may not be compatible with traditional membrane roofing and are not subject to frequent foot traffic, Parapro relies on a fast-curing resin finish layer. Because its longevity is heavily dependent on how it reacts to UV exposure, extensive outdoor UV testing is necessary to validate long-term performance.
Each time a new material is brought to market, product-specific testing under realistic conditions is critical to help ensure the roofing system performs reliably based on its intended use—whether that involves extreme weather, foot traffic, or extended UV exposure. Equally important to product development is the feedback from roofing professionals. Through their interactions with the RISE Center, they provide valuable insights and suggestions based on personal experiences with products in the field to help guide improvements.
Addressing Industry Challenges Through Research and Training
An important mission of the RISE Center is training and education. By offering accredited technical presentations, hands-on product demos, training, facility tours, and opportunities to interact with scientists and subject-matter experts, RISE gives Siplast customers valuable opportunities to increase their expertise.
These comprehensive learning experiences benefit building owners, facility managers, contractors, architects, and consultants alike. They equip roofing professionals with the knowledge and hands-on experience to design, install, and maintain Siplast roofing and waterproofing systems now and in the future. This can lead to better installations, increased safety, and higher-quality roofing systems. RISE fosters and encourages this ongoing partnership with its customers while soliciting feedback that contributes to continuous product improvement—a win-win for all involved.
Siplast also recognizes the importance of addressing mounting weather-related risks, which drive the need for even more resilient roofing, waterproofing, and building enclosure solutions. To answer this need, a second hub, the RISE Product Testing Center, opened in 2024 in nearby Gum Springs, Arkansas. This 12,500 square-foot facility—which contains an advanced wind pressure testing unit with a 10,000-pound hoist, a high-velocity 2-inch/4-inch hail cannon, and other state-of-the-art equipment—tests Siplast products under the most extreme weather conditions. Meanwhile, RISE lab scientists and engineering professionals continue to research and develop more sustainable, energy-efficient, and recyclable building products.
RISE: Research, Innovate, Support, and Evolve
As the RISE Center demonstrates, commercial roofing and waterproofing innovations are not limited to the lab. Ongoing research, testing, and exposure to real-world applications, along with mutually beneficial customer interaction and training, help ensure that the latest roofing industry advancements meet the highest standards of performance, durability, and sustainability in the field.
By remaining engaged with the new products and learning opportunities offered by Siplast and RISE, roofing professionals can continue to play an important role in roofing and waterproofing product advancements for many years to come.
