At Awatoto, Napier, Higgins operates a specialist Polymer Modification Plant, converting bitumen into hot or emulsified products, ranging from general purpose emulsified bitumen to specialized spray seal, slurry seal systems, crack sealing and colour coating.

Hot polymer modified bitumen is supplied in a number of grades of concentration and has a range of synthetic materials cross linked and integrated to form a permanently modified binder, available for hot spray seals or asphaltic concrete manufacture. The modification process creates a longer binder life, higher resilient toughness and higher temperature softening points.