Materials

A new washing system being used in a South African quarrying operation has brought major productivity and efficiency improvements. Natal Portland Cement (NPC) says these have been achieved at its Sterkspuit quarry, near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on South Africa's east coast, following the introduction of a new washing plant from CDE Global. The loss of quality fines has been eliminated during sand processing due to the use of the CDE Evowash plant, which replaced a bucket wheel de-waterer at the site. NPC is

Modern concrete production plants are using technology to offer more sophisticated mix recipes as Patrick Smith reports. The growing trend towards ever more sophisticated concrete recipes calls for fully developed mixing technology. Companies are responding to the challenges with equipment that offers new levels of sophistication including computer controls and units that can deliver a huge variety of mix recipes.

Peab Asfalt of Sweden primarily handles major road and highway projects in the inland portion of the country, but the company was willing and able to take on a new challenge when an airport runway needed to be paved in its own backyard. The work was done in Jönköping, which has a relatively small airport but which is still crucial to the inland area of Sweden. Flights were typically rerouted during the project, with the exception of two per day in the late afternoon or evening. This enabled Peab Asfalt t

Turkish manufacturers are important trading partners in the worldwide aggregate production sector, Mike Woof reports

In Estonia, Novotrade Invest, which produces hydrocarbon resin HCR-105, has carried out research work on the material that can be used as a bitumen modifier.

Innovative and sustainable construction solutions are being tackled by many in the highways industry, including bitumen producers. Patrick Smith reports. Gazprom Neft is one of the largest and fastest growing oil and gas producers in Russia, selling its products to more than 18 Russian regions and exporting them to about 50 countries all over the world.

VKG Kaevandused OÜ ordered a wobbler feeder and a roll crusher from Hazemag for processing oil shale in the Ojamaa Mine, Estonia.

German firm Rotec is offering expanded silicate as an environmentally friendly and versatile material option for construction projects. The company mines the mineral raw material, refines it, and can supply specific granulates to meet a customer order. This lightweight aggregate is a mineral natural product that can be used in lightweight concrete blocks and panels for duties such as insulation, as well as fine concretes and filter materials. The firm offers this as a cost-effective solution under the brand

Marini has been involved for some years in supplying asphalt plants to Indian companies involved in road and airport construction programmes.

Reducing emissions and increasing the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement is among the key aims of plant manufacturers. Patrick Smith reports. Lower emissions and the use of recycled materials coupled with reduced costs are the aims of manufacturers of modern asphalt plants.