Experts on road construction technologies, bitumen future at Feb conference

The annual MAXConference event «Organic binders and asphalt concrete mixtures in road construction», dedicated to road construction industry, was held in Moscow on Fenruary 15-16 in the mode of «hybrid participation», which allowed market experts to attend both in person and follow online discussions and listen to presentations.

This year, after a difficult time caused by numerous lockdowns, representatives of road agencies, construction companies, bitumen manufacturers and additives to road surfaces’ producers, leading industry analysts gathered to discuss pressing problems and share their experiences. Despite harsh challenges the industry continued to develop and carry out research and technical experiments with bitumen additives. The sustained interest in the conference from the road construction community and its relevance were also confirmed by the participation of well-known companies as the conference partners: BAV, Lukoil, Corrus-Tech, infraTest, EuroTest, Viatop, Gencor.

The first session gave an impulse to the whole event. Experts stressed the growth of bitumen production, the continuing need for the material due to developing infrastructure projects, the desire of companies to establish the production of PBB and modified bitumen. A representative of LLK-International spoke about the economic challenges for bitumen materials in the modern world, noting the projects launched by the company in this direction. Several presentations focused on the analysis of road bitumen, ie: OMT-consult and Dialog Dortech. One of the debatable subjects on the agenda of the session was a possibility to switch to bitumen by PG.

Analysts also outlined the problem of the application of the system of volumetric and functional design of asphalt concrete mixtures. The «sensitive» issue of prices and taxes was not left aside either. The problem was discussed by representatives of the Glavgosexpertiza and the Accounting Chamber: how the increase in bitumen prices affects the quality of road surfaces and consumption.

The discussion of the topic of volumetric design was continued in the second session. Experts from the Federal Road Agency, VAD, Avtodor-Engineering, Dorinzhservice and Eurotest presented their vision of the transition to new standards which are already being applied on the main highways under construction. The reports made by the experts presented a detailed analysis of the performance characteristics of asphalt concrete mixtures, bitumen binders in real conditions. They also covered the work of laboratories related to the assessment of the quality of coatings. The conference’s audience traditionally discussed state regulatory documents, their compliance with the urgent needs of the customer and the modern level of technology.

Representatives of bitumen and bitumen binders manufacturing companies: Gazpromneft-BM, Rosneft-Bitumen, LLK-International (Lukoil) highlighted in their presentation new technologies and its compliance with the quality of bitumen materials and asphalt concrete in their presentations. An important element of the discussion was the presentation of asphalt producer- ABZ-1. The plant presented an analysis of each modifier and how they are used in asphalt concrete mixtures. The representative of the asphalt manufacturer believes that «one of the ways to manage the destruction of asphalt concrete coatings is the deliberate use of modifying additives.»

In her presentation, the ABZ-1 expert revealed the algorithm for choosing by a plant a modifying additive. An excellent addition to the discussion was the analysis of the situation in asphalt concrete production and the use of modifiers in Russia, offered by the US MARC researcher. The director of the research center from the USA believes that the climatic conditions of Russia require significant modification of the bitumen produced.

The second day of the event was dedicated to the climate challenges and the current trend towards carbon-free production. Representatives from Russia and Europe talked about the future, which has already begun today in many countries of the world. European experts noted the possibility and necessity of using recycled materials in road construction. Top managers of PIARC (World Road Association), BASALT AG, Pavexpert, Rilem and Gencor spoke about various experiences and practices. At the same time, the European experience of using recycled materials is still considered futuristic in Russia.

Domestic collection of secondary materials includes only long-tested additives and mixtures. Russia’s analysts and representatives of SibADI, Avtodor Group, ROSDORNII, ABZ-VAD and MADI spoke about the control, research methods and evaluation of used secondary materials in the country. Unfortunately, carbon-free production and reduction of CO2 emissions are not yet a priority for manufacturing companies and regulatory authorities.

We hope that next year we will be able to return to the discussion of the eternal theme in Russia-ROADS!