Skip to main content

Cold comfort for Macismo and BituFIX in Mongolia

Macismo International reports that its newest cold asphalt licensee was used extensively in Mongolia last winter, proving its efficiency even at -20C.
November 29, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
BituFIX cold asphalt excels in -20C

Macismo International reports that its newest cold asphalt licensee was used extensively in Mongolia last winter, proving its efficiency even at -20C.

The Mongolian division of Bitumina – a global Dubai-based manufacturer of hi-end pavement binders – has a three-year contract to repair 280km of state-owned mining roads in Mongolia. The first stage of the project started last February during extremely adverse weather conditions.

Despite inclement weather, the performance of Bitumina’s BituFIX cold asphalt mix, was not affected.

“In Mongolia it’s still minus degree at night, but we made the first product of this year successfully and it’s performing pretty well.” said Ganshagai Battulga, chief executive of Bitumina Mongolia. “We started the project on February 13 and the condition was terrible when we first got there. It’s windy and snowing at -20C degrees but BituFIX did not fail us.”

Macisimo said that BituFIX’s performance during the winter attracted much attention at the three-day Mongolian Road Expo 2019 held in the capital Ulaanbaatar in October. During the Expo, Bitumina sealed deals on several substantial orders, said Battulga. “Our product-BituFIX became the hottest product during the Expo. It’s going famous among the people who work in this sector” says Battulga.

Macismo said it remains in discussion with Bitumina about Macisimo products to be used in the manufacture of bitumen emulsion.

Expo Mongolia usually highlights innovation and progress in the mining sector, mainly presenting mining technologies, equipment and devices. But this year it expanded its remit to cover water management issues regarding climate change, a major focus for many transportation authorities throughout the world.

Bituminia signed a five-year licence to sell their Bitufix cold asphalt mix. Only about 20% of the 50,000km of roads in Mongolia are asphalt paved roads. The remainder are dirt or gravel. In 2019, it the goal has been to have paved over 2,000km of roads completed to connect all province centres to Ulaanbaatar.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pavement preservation techniques
    April 12, 2012
    In this second article of a three-part series on pavement preservation, Alan S. Kercher, of Kercher Engineering, discusses the different techniques that can be utilised as part of the preservation toolbox An agency should utilise a comprehensive preservation toolbox that includes various techniques, which can be applied to specific needs. There is no one technique that will cost-effectively address all pavement problems. However, there are many preservation techniques that can provide an agency with the ab
  • Plans for Chile-Argentina tunnel progressing
    August 14, 2014
    Successful talks have been held between Chile and Argentina regarding the planned Agua Negra road tunnel that will link the two countries. Further talks will be carried out with regard to financing the project but these look set to be completed towards the end of August 2014, according to a report from Business News Americas. One option is for Argentina’s Government to pay for the construction with the costs being recovered through tolling but other financing solutions have also been discussed. The Agua Neg
  • New Sudan link will boost economic development
    February 21, 2013
    South Sudan’s new showpiece road has reduced travelling times and improved access to markets and basic services. Shem Oirere reports Bituminous surface treatment is common for highways with low-traffic or for the rejuvenation of a weakening asphalt concrete pavement. But this is what the 192km Juba-Nimule Highway in the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, needed in its reconstruction to bring it to international standards. Commissioning of the highway effectively erases the tag ‘landlocked’ from South Su
  • Responsive roadsign developed by student
    August 22, 2013
    A UK student hopes his new lenticular road signs which ‘pulse’ at drivers will lead to a revolution in the way motorists are given information on the roads. Meanwhile, a leading road marking firm is helping keep tourists safe in a spiritually significant town in Umbria, Italy. Guy Woodford reports You may think Charles Gale’s vision of creating the first ‘pulsing’ lenticular road sign was the result of months, even years, spent studying traffic and driver behaviour on the roads of his adopted student c