Lapeer County Road Commission driver Zeb Schons demonstrates the method used by their truck to coat roadways with ExoTherm during an ongoing experiment this yaer. Ribbons of Rich Township company's product line the road and should prevent ice and snow build-up during a predicted winter storm. Photo by SUSAN YOUNGER

The Lapeer County Road Commission is experimenting with a product made by a local company to enhance its snow and ice management program on the roads, and save money.

"It's an organic product called ExoTherm that can be used to pre-wet the salt," said Lapeer County Road Commission Managing Director Rick Pearson. "It's designed to boost the effectiveness of salt, and we should be able to save money. It will also work faster than just salt alone."

The material may also be used to pre-treat roads days before a predicted winter storm. County road crews treated the turnarounds on the new portion of M-24 Sunday night. The wet black ribbons dried and the residue protected the road from ice and snow buildup.

"They were completely dry after that little bit of snow we had Monday night," Pearson said. "It prevented any build-up from the Tuesday morning storm and they were much easier to clean."

ExoTherm was created and is distributed by Wilkinson Corporation. The local Rich Township business is located on M-24 on the border of Lapeer and Tuscola counties.

"We've been researching and analyzing different blends to treat roads for a number of years," said Wilkinson Corporation President Irene Wilkinson. "Lapeer and Sanillac counties are both trying it. We'll be getting their feedback and we hope to have them up and running with it next year."

The product is already used by many road commissions in New York and New England where climates are colder, said Wilkinson.

"When you wet your stockpile, it boosts the effectiveness of rock salt and begins working immediately," she said. "It's freezing point is -44 degrees. Our temperatures don't get down to that. I think rock salt quits working at temperatures of 10 degrees. That wouldn't be the case with this product."

ExoTherm is less harmful to road commission equipment than untreated rock sale and brines, Wilkinson added.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com