POET and its new JIVE asphalt product have earned the No. 3 spot in this year’s Fast Company “World’s Most Innovative Companies,” according to a press release.

POET made the annual ranking in the transportation category thanks to its new proprietary asphalt rejuvenator and modifier, now being used to pave roadways in states across the U.S.

“Our world is addicted to fossil fuels. At POET, we’re breaking that addiction,” POET CEO Jeff Broin said. “Biofuels like ethanol are the best solution to reverse the devastating effects of climate change caused by a century of burning fossil fuels. And POET’s impact extends beyond the fuel tank; we’re launching additional bioproducts from starch and biomass including a new eco-friendly, renewable asphalt component for US roadways. We’re making the roads we drive on as green as the biofuels used to power our vehicles.”

“We are truly honored to be recognized by Fast Company for creating sustainable solutions to our world’s most challenging problems,” he said. “At POET, we’re committed to striving for innovations to help build a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.”

The Fast Company annual list honors businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world. This year, Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out groundbreaking businesses across 35 industries and every region. The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“Established players are showing the same kind of nimbleness that we’ve generally associated with startups,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with Senior Editor Amy Farley.

According to a press release, JIVE is used to maintain the integrity of roads in both high- and low-temperature conditions. It helps stop cracking in cold weather and rutting in warm weather. It also softens old asphalt for recycling. JIVE is a lower-cost, better performing product than the petroleum-based modifiers historically used. 

For more information, visit poet.com/asphalt.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue March-April 2019 is now available online.