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Innovative bitumens for South America

Gazprom Neft provided bitumen for the construction of the largest highway in South America


Gazprom Neft, one of SIBUR’s key partners, supplied polymer-bitumen binders (PBBs) to the Bi-oceanic Corridor Project, the largest infrastructure venture in Latin America. The highway will connect the west and east coasts of the South American continent into the wider integrated transport network. Innovative bitumens manufactured by Gazprom Neft’s Ryazan Bitumen Binders Plant are used for asphalt wearing course of a 277 km highway section at the Brazil–Paraguay border.

The bitumen mix is specifically designed to withstand the region’s climate conditions, such as high temperatures and tropical humidity.

The specialised PBB formula for the Bi-Oceanic Corridor Project was developed in accordance with Superpave procedures at Gazprom Neft’s Science and Technology Centre in Ryazan. The bitumen mix is specifically designed to withstand the region’s climate conditions, such as high temperatures and tropical humidity. Such factors as the mountainous topography and the projected traffic of passenger cars and heavy vehicles are also taken into account. The special binder formula is to ensure the reliability of the highway for over 10 years.

The deliveries of polymer-bitumen binders to Latin America from Russia were made by sea and by land in Clovertainers, specialised patented medium-tonnage cubic containers, which enabled the preservation of bitumen properties.

“A number of products from our bitumen range are unique both in Russia and globally. This advantage combined with modern technology, advanced production facilities, extensive logistics network and development and research expertise provide us with a competitive edge in expanding our geographical footprint and participating in large international infrastructure projects,” said Dmitry Orlov, CEO of Gazpromneft-Bitumen Materials. “Today, our bitumen materials are supplied to 57 countries from almost all continents.”

The special binder formula is to ensure the reliability of the highway for over 10 years.

For SIBUR, Gazpromneft-BM is a key consumer of SBS polymers in the road construction segment. Polymer-bitumen binders (PBBs) are a key application area for Russian SBS polymers. The lifetime of PBB-containing pavement is increased from 3–4 years to 7–10 years.

In 2011, Gazprom Neft became the first Russian company to make modified bitumen with SIBUR’s polymers, launching production at Omsk Oil Refinery. Today, the companies actively collaborate on projects and product portfolio and regularly organise educational R&D workshops. Last year, the representatives of the two companies held an R&D meeting at the Science and Technology Centre of the Ryazan Bitumen Binders Plant.

CE Gazpromneft-BM bitumen road construction

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