TALKING POINT THE MOMENT CASE INTERVIEW The road industry A deeper under­ Formula 1 with the The key to good and COVID-19 standing of bitumen right bitumen formula corporate­ culture

Working safely Product HSE continues to focus on health, safety and the environment for Nynas products, even in the shadow of COVID-19.

nynas.com/bitumenmatters EDITORIAL Culture overcomes ­obstacles Jim Christie on how, despite an enormously testing year, Nynas will come out even stronger on the other side.

T HAS BEEN a difficult year. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched us all, not least Nynas, which is a global business through its naphthenic oils operation and European in terms of bitumen sales. Most of the countries where we are active have been affected in some way. In the UK and other parts of Europe, the Iconstruction industry came to a halt at the end of March and is only P12 now starting to recover. The past year has also been a challenge as Nynas is going through Sustainable Development a company reorganisation, the result of US sanctions aimed at our A cold mix project using foaming previous majority shareholder PDVSA. The reorganisation has moved was recently undertaken in a forward successfully, but the complexity of Nynas business means that it still will take some time before its conclusion. spectacular but hard to reach area However, the lifting of the sanctions in May was a huge boost. in the Norwegian mountains. Nynas now has the flexibility to deal in US dollars, which is essential for crude purchases and makes dealing with the banking fraternity more straightforward. This was essential to normalise our customer­ CONTENTS #2 2020 relationships as it effectively ended the irregular bureaucracy ­surrounding all fiscal transactions. Nynas has maintained a high level of communication with all staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have asked everyone to adhere 04 TALKING POINT 10 PROJECTS to a strict code of conduct to help stop the spread of the virus. As The ongoing pandemic See some interesting employees return to work step by step, they are entering offices which has hit all countries hard, projects around have been risk assessed and reconfigured to ensure social distancing. in terms of both health Europe, including a and the economy. But, PPP project in ­Norway We are also providing masks and hand sanitisation dispensers. more specifically, how and the ­ongoing In times of crisis, a company must become a true collective and has the situation affected urban trans­formation fight together. Due to the reorganisation, Nynas the road industry? in Kiruna in the far was not in the best place to withstand an north of Sweden. 06 THE CASE effectively collapsing market. But thanks to Now the most modern 13 SAFETY solid relationships with customers, partners racing circuit in the The experts in the Nynas and suppliers, and not least the remarkable Nordic region is finally Product HSE department ­efforts of our highly dedicated staff, Nynas ready; a high-quality play a key role in the will emerge from this even stronger. surface that can host work to minimise the ­Corporate culture is important in the most prestigious impact of its products competitions in the on health, safety and this ­respect. Learn more about world of motor sport. the environment. why and how on pages 14 – 15 in the magazine. Enjoy! 09 THE MOMENT 14 INTERVIEW A dynamic shear A strong corporate

­rheometer (DSR) gives culture is of absolutely the people in Nynas crucial importance for a bitumen laboratories company's development, Jim Christie a deeper understanding not least during the crisis BUSINESS AREA DIRECTOR BITUMEN UK AND WESTERN EUROPE of binder performance. caused by the pandemic.

Bitumen Matters is a freely distributed market magazine published by Nynas AB, PO Box 10700, S-121 29 Stockholm, Sweden. Website: www.nynas.com Project Manager: Eva Näslund Carlsson Editorial Board: Johanna Andréasson, Jane Dunne, Benny Jandér, Eva Näslund Carlsson, Carl Robertus Production: Hedengren Media Design: Spektra Printing: Print/R Translation: LanguageWire Cover photo: K-G Z Fougstedt Subscriptions: [email protected] The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or Nynas AB.

2 BITUMEN MATTERS NOTED

A loyal servant bids farewell A ship loaded with precious cargo V After 35 years at Nynas, Peter Bäcklund has stepped NYNAS DEPENDS ON a wide-ranging different parts of the world. Early one back from the limelight. ­distribution process for crude oil, oil morning at the end of August, one such Before being appointed components and finished goods. Thanks oil tanker approached Nynäshamn after Business Area Director of to a global network of depots, vessels and almost a month at sea. Bitumen Nordic in 2008, he road tankers, it is possible to meet the The 274 m long, 48 m wide vessel was held several senior positions within other parts of Nynas market’s stringent requirements of safety, guided into the quayside at the refinery and played an active role service and cost-effectiveness. with the aid of three tugboats. But this in many important change The crude oil that is used to manufacture was not just any old ship – with a cargo projects. bitumen, tyre and transformer oils and capacity of 180,000 cubic metres, it is “But the most enjoy­able many other special products at Nynas the biggest oil tanker to have visited aspect has still been day-to- refineries is delivered by tanker from Nynäshamn in 30 years. ■ day work in a highly ­motivated team within ­Bitumen Nordic,” he says. Peter believes that the major challenge facing the industry in future is to contribute to sustainable development. “It’s no longer about keeping up with social development, but about survival in an ­extremely competitive market.” But this brings not only threats, but also opportunities. “I believe that those ­companies that succeed have a bright future. Despite technical developments, roads will continue to be built and maintained in the future.” Peter will be keeping an eye on the industry’s transition from a distance. For the time being, he has other priorities after a long, demanding professional­ career. “Plans include renovating Change of ownership in Nynas the holiday home, travelling around the world when with 50 % of the shares, while the the pandemic is over, and Swedish Nynas Foundation owns 35 % ­trouncing my sons at the odd and PdVSA 15 % (rounded numbers). round of golf,” he concludes. Bitumina Industries Ltd supplies ­penetration grade bitumen, PMB,

­emulsions and other bituminous binders Photo: Elis Hoffman as well as asphalt to customers in more than 100 countries. Bitumina now want to ensure a top position in the European bitumen markets complementing the V On 15 September, Bitumina Industries already strong presence in Latin America. Ltd. purchased Finnish petroleum “We take great pride in having been company Neste's entire shareholding in able to acquire the shares of Neste in Nynas. This was an important step in the Nynas which is a natural expansion in ongoing reorganisation of Nynas, which our global bitumen portfolio. We are is expected to be complete before the certain that we can contribute to the technical experts turn of the year. The change of ownership successful future of Nynas”, says and researchers means that Bitumina Industries Ltd is now Bernd Schmidt, Executive Chairman are working the biggest shareholder in Nynas AB of Bitumina Industries Ltd. ■ 61 within Nynas.

BITUMEN MATTERS 3 TALKING POINT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

“All the key players are working together to achieve the best possible result.”

O FAR, we can confirm that no traffic restrictions. All government employees significant problems caused by were told to work remotely until August, and the COVID-19 pandemic have almost all meetings have been held online. S been reported by the road However, work in the field has continued ­industry in Finland. Contractors ­without problems caused by the pandemic. took substantial direct precautionary measures To stimulate the economy, the Finnish to prevent the effects of the pandemic, and government allocated extra money to certain were consequently able to carry out the areas including the road sector. The money ­roadworks as originally planned. was used in the first instance for periodic During the initial stage in spring 2020, it maintenance and rehabilitation of asphalt ­became clear that the lockdown had reduced pavements on roads and pavements. the number of people travelling on roads The extra money is needed to improve the Katri Eskola and railways. Later in the summer, most condition of the road network. Furthermore, the Specialist Road Maintenance Finns spent their holidays in Finland, which low price of bitumen has made it possible to Finnish Transport ­increased the number of vehicles on the extend the Finnish paving programme. All the Infrastructure Agency roads. This in turn meant an increase in key players in the asphalt market are working the need for ongoing maintenance. together to achieve the best possible result in To be able to effectively monitor the a challenging situation caused by COVID-19 ­situation that had arisen because of COVID-19, and an all-time high paving programme. the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Now both road owners and contractors are convened a group of experts at an early stage. hoping that the higher volume will extend The measures implemented made it possible over 2021 and that the pandemic will not to continue projects in progress, despite the cause a shortage of resources in 2021. ■

“A better understanding of the socio-economic

benefit of a well-managed road network” Johanna Andréasson

URING 2020 we have experienced activity during the initial phase of the crisis, Marketing Manager an almost unprecedented with an all-time high demand seen in 2010. Nynas Bitumen situation due to the COVID-19 However, a few years later we saw the D pandemic. The measures taken most dramatic European market reduction to limit the spread of the virus in decades.­ The backlog in road maintenance vary from country to country. The effect on that resulted from this still poses a challenge the road construction sector has also varied; for the most affected countries. from almost no effect in Northern Europe to a Even though the current situation is unique, very marked contraction in the southern part. the question remains: How do we make sure The industry has been impacted both from a that the pattern from the financial crisis does slowdown in certain markets due to lockdowns not repeat itself after the pandemic? and an increased demand in others due to It is of course difficult to predict what fiscal stimulus packages. The price dynamics will happen; we are still in the midst of the caused by the dramatic reduction in fuel ­pandemic and no one knows the full impact. demand has also affected the industry. But hopefully there is now a better under- What can we expect when the pandemic standing of the socio-economic benefit of is over? A comparison with the financial crisis a well-managed road network. In order to in 2008 shows that demand for bitumen did make sure the strong slump is not seen again, not fall until a few years after the crisis started, ­stakeholders both inside and outside the road Photo: Mats Lefvert thanks to the fiscal stimulus package that was construction industry should raise their voices. quickly rolled out. It resulted in increased In order to grow, we need our roads to work! ■

4 BITUMEN MATTERS “This enabled us to keep up with demand, seizing the opportunity to repair roads whilst traffic was light.”

Mike Osborne

Managing Director of Ronez in The Channel Islands

UTSTANDING COOPERATION between Nynas, their haulier, the local authorities and ­ourselves ensured that we could overcome the unprecedented challenges we faced during the COVID 19 lockdown period. OOur asphalt plants are essential for keeping traffic moving on both Jersey and Guernsey. As our long-standing supplier, Nynas usually delivers bitumen on a weekly basis to both islands in road tankers using the ro-ro ferry from Portsmouth. When the pandemic hit, restrictions were put in place to limit the movement of people. Passengers were no longer allowed on the ferries, which meant that the drivers couldn’t accompany the freight, and there were very few flights to the islands. However, as on-site bitumen discharge requires specially trained and qualified drivers, we had to find a way of safely bringing these to the islands. Nynas UK Health and Safety Manager Paul Lamb, Sales Manager Chris Rhodes and the rest of the UK sales and logistics team acted very quickly to put in place a solution, shipping multiple unaccompanied tankers whilst flying one driver to enable their safe discharge. This was organised with the help of Suttons Transport Services, so that three dedicated drivers could travel on a rota using secure taxis and isolating in hotels, with the whole process needing approval each time from the Customs and Immigration Services who were controlling these “Life Line” routes for essential supplies. Although it involved lots of organisation and logistics, we had the first delivery under this protocol at the beginning of April, shortly after lockdown. This enabled us to keep up with demand for asphalt on the islands, seizing the opportunity to repair roads whilst traffic was light. Since August, Jersey’s arrival testing regime has allowed some restrictions to be eased, but it’s still a tricky operation and at Ronez we remain really grateful to Nynas. ■ THE CASE Photo: Lukasz Swiderek

Challenge Solution Result V New asphalt surface on racing V Precise adaptation of aggregate and two V A high-quality surface that can host circuit with stringent quality ­layers of asphalt totalling 100 mm, with the the most prestigious competitions in the requirements for friction values, surface course being laid in one continuous world of motor sport, both Formula 1 for evenness and homogeneity. ­process with a maximum pave width of 6.5 m. cars and MotoGP in road racing. High-speed quality surface The most modern racing circuit in the Nordic region is now ready to host both Formula 1 and MotoGP events. We have paid a visit to the Finnish championship circuit KymiRing.

Text: Uriel Hedengren

6 BITUMEN MATTERS Photo: Jari Heikkilä

KymiRing is about 150 km north east of Helsinki. The 4.6 km circuit meets the strictest quality and safety requirements defined for hosting international motor sport competitions.

HE KYMIRING motor sport was ­required before the ­contractor KymiRing is 4.6 km long with a width venue is situated in Southern YIT* — now Peab — set to work on the of between 12 and 16 m. The circuit, Finland. This ultra-modern asphalting process. The design of the which is driven clockwise, consists of racing circuit,­ about one asphalt mix was based on basic­ principles 18 bends, a 1.2 km straight section and and a half hours by car from drawn up by MotoGP’s ­technical experts, four distinct overtaking places. The ­Helsinki, is the only one in the including the ability to adapt the aggregate height difference is almost 20 m and the TNordic region to hold an FIA Grade One precisely to ­specified benchmark values. maximum gradient of the bends is 10 %. License, which is required to host events “For this kind of surface, for example, “Our assignment included laying such as Formula 1. The facility also has the grain size is smaller compared to two layers of asphalt,” continues Arto equivalent classification for road racing, a ­normal road, and there are generally ­Heikkinen. “The base course (ACbase which means it can host the prestigious ­stricter quality requirements when 31/150) has a thickness of 60 mm, while MotoGP class. it comes to friction values, evenness the surface course (AC 11/100) is 40 mm. Alongside competitive operations, and homogeneity,” says Arto Heikkinen, In total we used about 9,500 tonnes KymiRing offers driver training on specially VP Paving Operations Peab Asfalt Finland. of asphalt, corresponding to 3,800 m3, designed manoeuvring circuits for both for the base course and 7,500 tonnes cars and trucks, as well as various vehicle for the ­surface course. There was then tests. There is also a rallycross circuit KymiRing in a nutshell another 1,250 tonnes for the surface in alongside the main circuit. the depot area.” Length: 4.6 km Direction of travel: For the base course they used reclaimed clockwise, Width: 12 – 16 m Number Reclaimed asphalt of bends: 18 Straight section: 1.2 km asphalt pavement (RAP) together with In view of the stresses to which the surface Height difference: 18 m Gradient of Nynas 100/150 as the virgin binder. is subjected, with speeds of more than bends: 1.5 – 10% Classification: FIA 1 The surface course, by contrast, consists 300 km/h, combined with the rigorous (cars) and FIM A (motorcycles) exclusively of virgin aggregate together safety requirements, extensive­ planning with Nynas 70/100. 

BITUMEN MATTERS 7 The circuit was designed by the UK company Apex Circuit Design Ltd. One important consideration in the design work was to make use of the natural height variations in the terrain. Photo: Merja Ollikainen

Quality requirements We now look forward to competitions Surfacing work was carried out in the “There are generally getting started as soon as the COVID-19 ­middle of summer, the base course over stricter quality pandemic has receded. Not least Finland’s nine days and the surface course over MotoGP, the motorcycling equivalent of two intensive days. The two pavers requirements when Formula 1, which should have already had a maximum pave width of 6.5 m. been decided this year, but has now They also had access to five rollers and it comes to friction been postponed until 2021,” concludes a third paver, which was used for the values, evenness and Arto Heikkinen. ■ bends with the biggest gradient. To meet the stringent quality requirements, the homogeneity.” * On 26 March 2020, the European Commission­ surface layer was applied continuously, approved the sale of YIT’s asphalt and paving without stopping the paver. Arto Heikkinen ­business in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark “The project at KymiRing went to plan to Peab. The acquisition involves, among other things, VP Paving Operations Peab Asfalt FInland and within the time frame we’d set up. 1,700 employees, 63 asphalt plants and 200 gravel pits.

A look into Product HSE Karin Hennung together with the rest of the team at Product HSE has the task of minimising the impact on health, safety and the environment from Nynas ­products and contributing to sustainable development. Would you like to know more? You can watch a video clip on the Bitumen Matters microsite about Karin and her work. Feel free to visit nynas.com/bitumenmatters

8 BITUMEN MATTERS THE MOMENT

09:30 2 September 2020 Nynäshamn, Sweden

V Katia Soza and Carl Hultin are conducting tests using a ­dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) in one of Nynas Bitumen Technology laboratories. The DRS is an advanced instrument that measures the rheological properties of a material, in this case the viscoelastic properties of bitumen at different temperatures and load frequencies. The results then provide a basis for a deeper understanding of bitumen properties, primarily for polymer-modified products. At present an ­extensive process of competence transfer is under way at the accredited laboratory, and Carl is passing on his ­specialist expertise in methods and instruments to an eager-to-learn Katia. This means that Carl has more time to build on his ­top-class expertise in Nynas products and to focus on ­customer support. ð More at: nynas.com/bitumenmatters Photo: K-G Z Fougstedt Photo: K-G

BITUMEN MATTERS 9  NATIONAL HIGHWAY 3, NORWAY

ON 30 JULY, three months earlier than planned INVEST, and just over one billion Norwegian kroner (approx. 94 million euros) below budget, the new section of National Highway 3 between Løten and Elverum was officially opened. The project, with Skanska as contractor, comprises a 15 km MAINTAIN four-lane motorway and just over 10 km of 2+1 road as well as bridges, footpaths and cycle paths. This section was originally a conventional two-lane road with several level crossings and roundabouts. The new road improves AND REPAIR accessibility and safety for the important link between Oslo and Trondheim. The entire section is now a dual carriageway, Bitumen Matters continues which is expected to reduce the number of its journey around Europe serious accidents by 80 %. But the investment is also the first PPP project (public–private to take a closer look at a few partnership) in Norway for more than ten years, and it has a pronounced focus on sustainable more interesting projects. development. Improved asphalt performance reduces the need for resurfacing by 25 % over a 60-year period, partly by extending the useful life of the surface course is extended from nine to eleven years by increasing the layer thickness. Nynas supplied Nypol 73, a polymer-modified binder, to this successful project.

 SURREY, UK

ALTHOUGH A LOT of surface dressing which has largely coincided work as well as other roadworks with the pandemic, Nynas were cancelled during the UK delivered volumes of the polymer lockdown, one Nynas customer, modified bitumen emulsion Hazell & Jefferies Ltd of Oxford, products Nynas Fleximuls and were able to convince their Nynas Duramuls in line with clients that they could keep pre-pandemic projections. working safely under the tight “Volumes have held up well. restrictions. By implementing We have successfully delivered mitigating procedures such as the forecasted volume provided hiring buses to carry staff to sites by Hazell and Jeffries at the start and working in close cooperation of the year despite the pandemic with their clients and suppliers, and resulting restrictions," Hazell & Jefferies managed says Nynas Sales Manager to keep their scheduled work Chris Rhodes. programme going and still adhere A major surface dressing to the lockdown rules. project on the important Hazell & Jefferies use both southern trunk road A31 intermediate and premium grade near Farnham in Surrey is bitumen emulsion from Nynas one example of contracts for surface dressing. During the carried out during the latest surface dressing season, lockdown.

10 BITUMEN MATTERS  KIRUNA AND PITEÅ, SWEDEN

THE KIRUNA MINE in the far north of Sweden has been operating for more than one hundred years. It is the biggest underground mine in the world, with daily production equivalent to six Eiffel Towers in terms of the volume of steel. Mining of the gigantic iron ore body takes place at a depth of more than one thousand metres, resulting in deformations and crack formations at ground level that are so extensive that parts of the city of Kiruna are having to be relocated. The urban transformation is in full swing and is expected to be fully complete in 2035, but the new city centre will be in place as early as 2022. One important project in this transformation is the new 7 km long section of the E10 north of Kiruna. This work, which is divided into two stages, has been under way for several years and is expected to be completed during 2021. The second stage is being undertaken by the contractor NYAB, with the Swedish Transport Administration as the client. The asphalt is supplied by NCC. Penetration grade bitumen 70/100 and 250/330 are blended to 100/150 and 160/220 in the final asphalt mix. In Northern Sweden, NYAB will also be asphalting parts of Piteå Port this autumn. A total of 16,000 tonnes of asphalt will be laid. Nynas is supplying penetration grade bitumen Nynas 100/150 and Nynas 160/220. The polymer-modified product Nypol 73 will also be used in  ROAD MAINTENANCE, FINLAND one of the three asphalt layers.

THE FINNISH ROAD NETWORK has a of this increase is that the roads total length of 454,000 km. The were in relatively poor condition State-maintained section – 78,000 at the beginning of 2020 because km – consists of main roads class of the low level of financing in I and II, motorways and regional the preceding years. Moreover, and connecting roads. In 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic meant approximately 1,800 km of the that additional financing could State-maintained road network be invested in the infrastructure were repaved. That figure was in order to stimulate the national estimated to increase to 4,200 km economy. Finally, the low price during 2020, but all indications are of oil resulted in it being possible that this level will be exceeded by a to undertake more maintenance significant margin. One explanation initiatives without it costing more.

BITUMEN MATTERS 11 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Keep it cool through ups and downs

One major advantage was that they were able to use the stone material left behind by the river after the major flood in 2018. Kjetil Villa also set up a plant for cold mix asphalt on site, where the ­aggregate was mixed with foamed bitumen. Because­ of the unstable ground conditions, a soft binder was chosen, Nypave 380 HT, which was loaded into a heat exchanger to increase the tempera- ture and thus guarantee good foaming.

AS WELL AS THE environmental benefits of cold mix technology, Production Manager Tom Arne Nystuen points out that the asphalt mix can be kept for several days before being laid. This is important in view of the fact that the weather in the mountains changes rapidly. One morning, for example, when the paving team was supposed to start work, there was 10 cm of fresh snow on the ground, A spectacular asphalting job was recently undertaken which meant that the equipment had in an area of the Norwegian mountains that is difficult to be moved down below the snow line. If the temperature falls below 5 degrees, to access. Jon Borge Finset, Head of Technical Support work is halted as otherwise there is a at Nynas Bitumen Norway, talks about this exciting risk that the quality will be insufficient. project in his own words. At present the market for cold mix asphalt is relatively small, but it is hoped that successful projects such as the one HE VIEW is magnificent, in Leirdalen will open up new doors. up towards Galdhöpiggen­ — “A technology Cold mix asphalt with aggregates obtained T Norway’s highest ­mountain locally is a technology that has benefits — and further away to that has benefits from both a cost and a sustainability Sognefjäll. Here, in a river plain in the from both a cost perspective. ■ idyllic Leirdalen valley, the contractor Kjetil Villa has asphalted a road stretching and a sustainability 15 km to the Leirvassbu mountain station. Originally it was a working road, which perspective.” was built during the expansion of power Facts stations in the 1950s, and it was then ­ This year’s paving project, which Foamed bitumen is formed when modernised when tourism took off in was carried out in August, used around ­water and air are added to hot bitumen the area. 10,000 tonnes of asphalt. The paver was under pressure. The expansion of the water results in a rapid drop Ole Jacob Grindvold, manager of the adapted to cover the full width of the in viscosity while at the same time mountain station, says that maintaining road, which meant that no vehicles could the volume increases significantly. the heavily used road is a demanding job. pass while work was in progress. To enable This makes it possible to lower the As well as deficiencies in the foundation, tourists to get through, they opened the temperature of the asphalt mix they have had problems with flooding road to traffic for two hours during the without compromising the qualities. from the neighbouring river. day and at nights and weekends.

12 BITUMEN MATTERS SAFETY

Keep it cool through ups and downs Responsibility for our products and their impact

It is an overarching objective for Nynas has always played the requirements of the Nynas to minimise the impact of its an active role in various European chemicals legis- ­international industry organ- lation REACH*,” says Karin products on health, safety and the isations. For bitumen, two of Hennung, who is herself a environment. Playing a key role in this the main ones are Concawe member of Eurobitume’s work is Product HSE. and Eurobitume. This type HSE committee, which she of cooperation stimulates the also previously chaired for sharing of experiences and a five-year period.■ RODUCT HSE is a exposed to bitumen fumes, skills development. central support which in high concentrations “Our toxicologist Anna ð More at: nynas.com/bitumenmatters P and expert func- can cause irritation. Steneholm, for example, tion that assists “Bitumen fumes have been is chairing the group within Nynas in all operational on the agenda for many ­Concawe that is responsible * REACH contains, among other things, rules on the registration of areas and markets. ­decades, and through the years for assessing the health hazard ­substances, bans or other restrictions “This means that we we have conducted various of petroleum products and, ­ on ­substances, ­requirements for permits cover a number of areas of ­research projects related as required, conducting for ­particularly hazardous substances responsibility,” says Karin to such exposure. In many additional studies to meet and rules about informing customers. Hennung, Manager Product cases these have been projects HSE. “It involves everything conducted primarily together from making sure that Nynas with other stakeholders via products comply with current European industry associa- chemical legislation to eval- tions and other international uating possible hazards and organisations.” risks, and offering guidance, both internally and exter- AS TEMPERATURE is a key nally, on the safe use of our factor in reducing bitumen products.” emissions, the challenge is to keep handling temperatures REGARDING bitumen in as low as possible. In other particular, the main focus words, asphalt with a reduced is reducing the risks when temperature, such as warm- it is being handled. mix asphalt (WMA), is good “Bitumen itself is not for the work environment. ­classified as hazardous to Another important aspect health or the environment,” on which the experts within Bitumen itself is not classified as hazardous to health or the continues Karin Hennung. Product HSE are focusing environment, says Karin Hennung, Manager Product HSE. “But because bitumen is is finding different ways to ­normally used at elevated contribute to sustainable temperatures, it is of course development. We are Product HSE important that handling takes “The advantage is that place in the safest possible way.” ­bitumen is a sustainable Karin Hennung Manager, M.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Anna Steneholm In addition to the risk of ­construction material with a Group Specialist Toxicology, PhD in Medical Science, burn injuries, the relatively very long useful life, and it’s Karolinska Institute, Ida Dyrssen Product HSE Advisor, high temperature means also completely reusable. It’s B.Sc, Environmental Science and Physics, Lund University, that staff working in paving important to maintain these Jenny Eklund Product HSE Advisor, M.Sc. Technical operations or are handling the parameters in all ­development Biology, Umeå University asphalt in other ways can be work,” believes Karin Hennung.

BITUMEN MATTERS 13 INTERVIEW

Illustration: iStock photos THE KEY TO GOOD CORPORATE CULTURE Coronavirus has had a profound effect on company ­culture. Employees and ­ business leaders alike are struggling­ with remote working, fears about job ­ security and concerns about a world post-virus. How can good corporate ­culture be maintained and even enhanced­ during these difficult times?

Text: Simon Brooke

ERRY DRURY, a She explains: “Companies has worked with some of the to have employees innovating Culture and with a good corporate culture world’s leading organisations to and performing great work. Engagement have a strong connection to develop employee engagement More importantly, workplace K Strategist at purpose and one another. and to explore the impacts on culture helps firms to grow workplace They foster an environment organisational culture. in the long-term. Companies culture specialists, O.C. Tanner of trust and openness whereby According to O. C. Tanner’s with good corporate cultures Europe, defines corporate employees can innovate, 2020 Global Culture Report, have a stock price growth ­culture as “how and why a share ideas and be recognised­ organisations with a strong that is 12 times’ higher than company operates and is for their great work.” company culture are four ­companies without a good ­reflected in its values, how it With a background in times’ more likely to have culture, and they also enjoy a interacts with its employees leadership development and highly ­engaged employees remarkable 755 % higher net and how it treats its customers.” HR consultancy, Kerry Drury and seven times’ more likely income growth.

14 BITUMEN MATTERS The Nynas spirit

IN ALL COMPANIES, positions in order to develop there’s a special their competence within the D spirit that pervades company instead of recruiting the business. It is reflected­ in specialists externally, and this everything from customer has resulted in a very low level care to ­decision-making, and of staff turnover. thus affects everyone who comes into contact with the THANKS TO our strong brand company. and core values, which are A strong corporate culture­ based on the company’s long creates loyalty between history and Swedish roots, ­company and employees. This we have not found it difficult “Employees can in turn means that employees to recruit new co-workers, innovate, share ideas are happy, develop and feel even when experienced that they can contribute to ­employees leave the company. and be recognised for the company’s development. The international focus All experience shows that creates interesting jobs and their great work.” culture-driven­ companies development opportunities, achieve the most success when while the small-scale structure it comes to not only growth, offers short decision-making Kerry Drury but also recruitment and yield. paths and also provides a Culture and Engagement Strategist good ­overview because of NYNAS WAS originally a small, the proximity to all parts of Swedish oil company that the business. has been characterised from The strong, unique “A common mistake com- add-ons, leaders must focus the start by a family-like ­corporate culture that has panies make when trying to on creating a positive and ­atmosphere. We managed to emerged during over 90 years establish a good corporate ­engaging culture at the very retain this special Nynas spirit of Nynas presence in the culture, is investing time and heart of the organisation.” in the 1980s, when we took the market is a major benefit in money in the ‘ideation’ stage; According to Kerry Drury, step to become an international view of the demanding process setting out a wish list of values leaders need to work to create operator with a focus on special of transition in which we now and behaviours, only to fail transparency, openness and products. This meant, among find ourselves.■ miserably at execution,” a sense of team identity. other things, a continued says Kerry Drury. Companies, “Autonomy and psychological focus on giving employees the Bo Askvik she argues, need to put in safety go hand-in-hand and are opportunity to try out different INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO place a change management important characteristics of plan, with actionable steps and thriving teams,” she explains. leaders that ‘walk the walk’, “When teams are given more inspire, motivate and listen. freedom to innovate, they feel “Far too many organisations safer to take risks and suggest believe their company culture new ideas. Leaders should can be 'fixed' with a range actively work to ensure all of ad hoc perks rather than members have a voice and feel investing in the real factors a strong sense of belonging.­ that can influence change,” In practice, this might ­include she says. Companies that rely utilising technology to broad- on employee perks such as cast great work, sharing ideas nap rooms, table tennis tables and collaborating on important and free fruit, may see short- projects. When teams prioritise­ term results but they’ll rarely work and tackle projects ­experience any long-term together, they strengthen benefits. “Rather than thinking their connection, purpose about culture in terms of fluffy and belonging.” ■

BITUMEN MATTERS 15 How do we produce high-performance bitumen? We add knowledge to the mix.

How do you become an expert? You focus on one thing only. For more than ninety years, Nynas’ focus on bitumen has enabled us to continuously develop high-performance products for a wide range of challenging applications. That’s why we are the partner of choice when our customers need long-term solutions. Let’s talk. nynas.com