TALKING POINT NYNAS MOVING FORWARD SAFETY INTERVIEW European road Market focus with Minimising the risk The road to maintenance­ financial strength of boil-over new mobility

matters 01.21

Tough demands­ on durability “We opted for a polymer modified binder for paving the most heavily used parts of the port area.” Linus Gustafsson, NCC Industry

nynas.com/bitumenmatters EDITORIAL Full speed ahead After a challenging 2020, Nynas is emerging as a stronger company, not only financially, but also in terms of production and feedstock supplies.

S WE WELCOMED 2020, we were expecting Nynas company reorganisation to be the major challenge. Looking back, we can now see that COVID-19 had a bigger practical impact. The effects of the pandemic have been felt throughout the entire oil market, in terms of both Aprices and the balance between supply and demand. The pandemic P14 has also accelerated the transformation of the refinery industry. We have refinery closures as well as conversions to biorefineries. The Interview In this turbulent situation, we have nevertheless been able to An international benchmarking continue our strategic focus to create greater feedstock flexibility, while succeeding in providing the market with the products it demanded. study is analysing the role of the We would never have managed this without our loyal customers, industry in the transformation hauliers and other business partners or our dedicated employees. of the road infrastructure and 2020 saw the lifting of sanctions on Nynas due to our previous owner changed mobility. structure, and we also completed the company reorganisation. Due to great support from our biggest creditors, we have emerged from the reorganisation a stronger company, with financing secured for five years CONTENTS #1 2021 and a strong balance sheet. All in all, this means that we can now direct our full focus on the future and once more reinforce confidence in Nynas. One priority area is our sustainable development initiatives. 04 TALKING POINT 10 PROJECTS Among other things, the Gothenburg refinery has invested in new The lack of funding Find out about some furnaces that are fired with natural gas/biogas, and on the product for road maintenance ­interesting projects all side we are continuing our work on the ReSolution sustainability is a growing problem in over Europe, including a concept. COVID-19 will continue to affect the reality for Europe. Wide-ranging major recycling programme both us and our customers in 2021, but we are now initiatives are now on the heavily used A92 well-equipped to manage the situation. ­required in order to ­ in Fife, Scotland. avoid further I would also like to highlight the positive trend 12 NYNAS MOVING ­deterioration. in the area of safety. We have been working for FORWARD many years to minimise the risk of accidents. 06 THE CASE Following a successful Piteå Port & Hub in company reorganisation, This has taken the form of investments ­northern Sweden opted Nynas is well positioned at depots and refineries, as well as training for a polymer modified to work together with and collaboration with customers and binder when asphalting customers to continue hauliers to update and safeguard the most heavily used building on the company’s procedures. These are initiatives parts of the new port strengths. area. that will continue with undiminished 13 SAFETY vigour during 2021. 09 THE MOMENT When water comes into All that remains is for me to wish you At the Nynas refinery contact with hot bitumen, all a good start to the new paving year! in Harburg, bitumen is there is a powerful loaded onto oil tankers reaction.­ Eurobitume using a remote controlled has produced a practical Mikael Blank loading arm. Deliveries manual to raise levels of BUSINESS AREA DIRECTOR are made to ports safety awareness about BITUMEN NORDIC around the North Sea. boil-overs.

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: Maria Fäldt Subscriptions: [email protected] The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or Nynas AB.

2 BITUMEN MATTERS NOTED

Hello there… Anna Keereweer, Why electric road systems? ­Refinery Manager in Gothenburg, Sweden ONE IMPORTANT factor in the development power, which is supplemented by standard of the roads of the future is the requirement batteries when the vehicle leaves the road for reduced CO2 emissions, especially from to deliver its load. For Swedish conditions, heavy goods vehicles (HGV). According to the Swedish Transport Administration the consultancy company WSP, for example, believes that it will be profitable to build it could be possible for two thirds of HGV electric road systems covering 2-3,000 km transport activities in Sweden to take place of the national road network. on electric road systems by 2030. Such a transition requires significant Sweden is a role model in this area. investments in new, powerful electricity It was back in 2016 that the world’s very grids that can supply power to the major first electric section of road for HGVs was motorways. Another challenge is the fact created, on the E16 north of Stockholm. that a process of expansion is under way A few years later there was a corresponding across Europe, which in turn requires initiative in Germany.­ an international standard defining how Tell us a bit about the refinery! The focus is on HGVs. This is because the electrically powered vehicles are to be The Nynas refinery in batteries used in private cars do not have charged while driving. Only then can it Gothenburg was opened sufficient capacity for use in vehicles that be possible to transport goods using HGVs back in 1956. It was originally have to drive long distances with a heavy from Malaga in the south all the way to used to ­manu­facture fuels, but the main focus is now on load. An electric road system provides North Cape in Norway, without the need bitumen, with installations even the heaviest vehicles with sufficient to re-fuel. ■ for special products such as oxidised bitumen, PMB and bitumen emulsions. Where do deliveries of the finished products go? Most of the products we ­produce go to the Nordic markets. But we also deliver certain products outside the Nordic region. How much can you produce? The plant has a design capacity­ equivalent to 80 tonnes/hour. What’s new for 2021? We’ve just completed one of Photo: Gustav Lindh our biggest-ever investments. This means that in spring we’ll be starting up the plant with two new furnaces, which will be fired by natural gas/biogas. The new fuel, combined with enhanced efficiency, will ­create a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Are you an asphalt hero? And if we look a little way into the future? V To highlight all the everyday heroes old-fashioned business. To spread the I’m optimistic about the future who build and maintain our roads, as well message, EAPA is going to produce for the refinery, and I’m proud as attract more young people to work posters and online information, which of our wonderful teams who in the asphalt industry, the European highlight various people giving their are constantly developing Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA) is unique accounts of their work. the business based on new currently running the #Asphalt_Heroes Interested in finding out more – and ­conditions. At the moment, campaign. The aim of the campaign is maybe even sharing your own experiences of course, we’re working to show that the industry can offer a and explaining why your job is so inspiring? ­actively to manage and wide range of innovative, future-oriented Go to eapa.org/asphaltheroes to find all ­minimise the risk of infection jobs and is not, as many believe, a dirty, the details. ■ from COVID-19.

BITUMEN MATTERS 3 TALKING POINT ROAD MAINTENANCE, A EUROPEAN CHALLENGE

“The aim is to highlight the extra cost that is the consequence of maintenance works being postponed.”

S IN MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, together both public and private actors in maintenance of infrastructure the area of French transport infrastructure. is one of the biggest challenges The consequences of inadequate main­ A in France. It is a complex area, tenance are obvious. The challenge we are and the initiatives undertaken facing is to improve knowledge of how the road have to be part of an overall strategy that network is deteriorating based on three main makes it possible to reconcile the need for factors: climate conditions, traffic and operating ­improvements with the actual budget available. conditions and construction techniques. This When it comes to road maintenance in will enable us to assess more precisely how particular, it is difficult to quantify the need improvements affect the useful life of roads. exactly as it depends on multiple parameters. Experience shows that regular maintenance Didier Colin To achieve better accuracy in its estimates, makes it possible to avoid serious deterioration the national and local authorities in charge that requires interventions further down the Managing Director of the roads in France have created a shared line, which are both more expensive and more IDRRIM – Institute for Roads, tool, the National Road Observatory. This is an disruptive for traffic. The term usually used in Streets & Infrastructures important step to evaluate the management of this context is a grey debt. This is a debt, the for Mobility the road network, technically and financially, amount of which is concealed and that grows ð More at: www.idrrim.com/en.htm and to apply the right priorities in a situation if no action is taken. The aim is to quantify this with an ageing road network and stretched financial impact and thus measure and high- public finances. Work is being carried out light the extra cost that is the consequence of under the leadership of IDRRIM, which brings maintenance works being postponed. ■

“We must get away from thinking solely in terms of price.”

HE MAINTENANCE BACKLOG for the roads. This is something the industry has requested 70,000 km of municipal roads in for many years now. Denmark represents approximately It costs 2 or 3 times as much to renovate worn roads T 520 million EUR, or 3.9 billion DKK. than to maintain them in time. Roads with holes and This amount is reducing and one reason cracks, poor road markings and poorly for this is that our 98 municipal authorities have been ­maintained verges also contribute proactive and during 2020 they brought forward to more accidents and reduced roadworks because of COVID-19. ­accessibility. Another major challenge For the national roads — 3,500 km in total — the ­backlog is to integrate climate considerations has been cleared. But looking ahead, the funding into tenders and to enable, for ­allocated for this part of the road network is not sufficient ­example, recycling and the use of and will lead to a maintenance deficit of up to 190 million road pavements that help vehicles to EUR for 2023. travel further for the same amount of Traffic jams and accidents are everyday occurrences kW or petrol. We must get away from in the primary road network, which carries most of the thinking solely in terms of the price up ­traffic — for example the E45 through Jutland, the E20 across front and assess the long-term value to Funen and the Copenhagen area. Traffic volumes are also society by paying more for climate-friendly on the increase and there is a shortage of new roads for ­solutions now and reaping the benefits the increasing load and the electric vehicles of the future. in the long term. ■ The Danish government has promised that 2021 will see the launch of a ten-year infrastructure plan worth Anders Hundahl 8,7 billion EUR in order to make the infrastructure future-proof. Some of this money will be spent on our CEO, Asfaltindustrien Denmark

4 BITUMEN MATTERS “The sums outlined will not be enough to plug the existing ­ ­multi-billion pound backlog.”

David Giles

UK General Manager Eurobitume and Director of AIA

HE ASPHALT INDUSTRY ALLIANCE (AIA) publishes an annual survey — Annual Local Authority Road ­Maintenance (ALARM) — that describes the ­development of the UK road network. Since the first report was published in 1995, successive TALARM reports have shown near-static levels of funding ­despite an ageing network, heavier vehicles, increased ­volumes of traffic and more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change. The latest version (2020) reveals that it would take 11 years and cost £11.14 billion to bring the local road network up to a position from which it could be maintained cost-effectively going forward.

AT CURRENT BUDGET LEVELS, local highway authorities cannot maintain all parts of their networks adequately; principal roads are prioritised at the expense of unclassified roads — even though unclassified roads, such as residential streets, ­actually represent the greatest share by length. This has resulted­ in principal roads being resurfaced, on average, every 33 years, but unclassified roads are only resurfaced once every 119 years. The imbalance in the levels of funding allocated to maintain different parts of the road network is also evident in the fact that the Strategic Road Network (SRN), which includes motorways and trunk roads, ­receives more than 20 times the level of ­investment per mile for maintenance than local roads. If we look into the future, it is pleasing that the ­Government’s recent Spending Review pledged £1.125 billion of local road maintenance funding in 2021-22, including £500 million for the Potholes Fund. This would improve the condition of our ­ local roads and help prevent potholes from ­ forming in the first place. More than £1 billion has been spent on chasing and filling potholes over the last decade. What a waste! While these spending commitments are ­welcome in these challenging times, we are aware that the sums outlined will not be enough to plug the existing multi-billion pound ­backlog in road maintenance funding and so our ­ageing network will continue to decline. ■

BITUMEN MATTERS 5 THE CASE

Meeting the strict demands for durability and stability was one of the challenges faced by Linus Gustafsson and his colleagues.

Challenge Solution Result V As a result of increasing demand for V A 3-layer pavement using a polymer­ V A 55,000 m2 storage port services in Northern Sweden the modified binder (Nypol 73) in the binding area with ­increased capacity port in Piteå needs to expand its capacity course was chosen­ for the most heavily to handle and store more by means of, among other things, new, used areas, to provide extra resistance to goods and facilitate ­intermodal ­asphalted terminal surfaces. permanent deformation and crack formation. transport operations.

Tough demands on durability To withstand the loads from heavy vehicles and containers, Piteå Port & Hub in Northern Sweden opted for a polymer modified binder for paving the most heavily used parts of the new port area.

Text: Uriel Hedengren

6 BITUMEN MATTERS Photo: Maria Fäldt Photo: U.Weinz

The choice of surface course in a port area involves particularly tough demands, as it’s a matter of carefully assessing the loads to which the surface will be subjected.

“It’s resulted in our being able to reduce emissions of CO2 equivalents by more than 60 %”

Linus Gustafsson, NCC Industry

financed by the European Regional ­significantly greater, they chose instead Development­ Fund. a pavement in three layers, with Nypol 73 in Paving work was carried out by the the binder course. Nypol 73 is a polymer ­construction company NCC over an ­modified binder (PMB 40/100–75) with ­intensive month last autumn. especially good resistance to permanent HE PORT IN PITEÅ has been “Our role in the project was that of a deformation and crack formation. ­expanded in stages since subcontractor to NYAB, which has the “With the binder layer, which is also 2012. This expansion is a turnkey contract, to assume responsibility around 50 mm, it means that the thickness­ direct consequence of an for hardening and asphalting the new of the pavement is around 140 mm at the increased demand for inter- surfaces. We also discussed appropriate most. In total, we’ve asphalted an area modal transport solutions paving options in consultation with the of 55,000 m2, which corresponds to Tfrom manufacturers of paper, sawn timber client,” says Linus Gustafsson, contracting about 15,000 tonnes of asphalt,” explains products and biofuels. Another driver is engineer at NCC Industry. Linus Gustafsson. the deliveries of components to Europe’s A relatively hard bitumen is usually biggest wind farm just to the west of the THE CHOICE OF surface was in turn informed­ used in ports. This is due not only to city, which will be comprised of 1,100 by what is to be transported and stored high axle loads, but also the fact that the Tough demands on durability wind turbines when completed. on the different surfaces, and what loads support legs of containers sink down into The third stage of the port’s expansion, this involves. a conventional surface. The challenge in which was completed in November 2020, “On a relatively large part, where the this project has been to choose the right saw the creation of additional terminal area of application has loads similar to mix design to meet the strict demands, space both on land and through land a normal road, we laid a conventional primarily for water sensitivity, rigidity reclamation measures. 500,000 tonnes ­surface in two layers: approximately and stability. of soil and rock masses were used for 50 mm base course (AG 22 100/150) and Another challenge was the weather, the filling process. The total cost of the 40 mm surface course (ABT16 70/100).” in view of the port’s location in Northern project is 20 million EUR and is ­partly On surfaces where the stresses are Sweden. 

BITUMEN MATTERS 7 Photo: U.Weinz

The expansion means that the port can receive more ships, trains and trucks, thereby offering logistical solutions for the regional economy that are sustainable in the long term.

“During the last week we had 30 cm access the work area without needing to “The asphalt we used in the port was of snow overnight, which forced us to consider traffic or other external factors.” manufactured in accordance with our stop work. But after a few days the One important aspect for both client Green Asphalt* concept. For this project, ­temperature rose again, so we could and contractor was to work with as much it’s resulted in our being able to reduce ­continue as planned.” consideration to environmental impacts emissions of CO2 equivalents by more At the same time, Linus Gustafsson as possible. The asphalt was delivered than 60 % compared with a traditional emphasises that it was in many ways a from NCC’s stationary plant in Piteå, manufacturing method,” concludes straightforward project, if you compare which minimised transport operations. Linus Gustafsson. ■ it with asphalting a road. The asphalt plant also has stringent “With it being a totally new area that ­environmental targets when it comes to * Green Asphalt is NCC’s method of producing asphalt had not yet been commissioned, work how the mass is heated, as well as for with the least possible environmental impact, with proceeded without any major restrictions. manufacturing temperature and the a focus on reducing the use of fossil fuels, increasing As a contractor, it’s not often that you can use of recycled asphalt. energy efficiency and saving natural resources.

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8 BITUMEN MATTERS THE MOMENT

11:45 18 December 2020 Harburg, Germany

V Moritz Fenske has just started loading bitumen onto the bitumen tanker Bitland by one of the jetties at the Nynas refinery­ in Harburg. The ship, which is about 100 m long and has a maximum cargo capacity­ of 4,972 TDW, mainly serves ports around the North Sea, almost exclusively for Nynas.­ The loading­ arm, which Moritz is connecting to the loading nozzle by means of remote control, has a capacity­ of roughly 300 tonnes per hour. Today the cargo consists of a soft bitumen, which will be transported to the refinery in ­Gothenburg. Moritz’s job as loading master includes not only connecting and disconnecting the loading arm and ­managing the operation of the pumps; he must also plan the loading operation together with the ship’s captain and make sure that all safety ­procedures are followed to the last detail. Photo: Alexander Oetjen Photo: Alexander

BITUMEN MATTERS 9  PORSGRUNN, NORWAY

THE GLOBAL NORWEGIAN industrial group Yara INVEST, International is the first in the world to use a totally electric container ship in commercial operation. This unique battery-powered ship, with a capacity of 7 MWh, will be transporting fertilisers from the factory in Porsgrunn to the ports in Brevik and Larvik MAINTAIN in Southern Norway. With the new zero-emission ship in operation, Yara is able to eliminate at least 40,000 diesel-powered truck journeys, which brings significant benefits in terms of both safety and emissions of NOx and CO2. AND REPAIR To make the transition from land to sea transport, a new quay facility is being built in Porsgrunn. The paving is being carried out by Peab Asfalt on Bitumen Matters continues behalf of the main contractor, NRC. its journey around Europe In view of the major static and dynamic loads that occur in a harbour, Peab Asfalt chose to take a closer look at a few to use Nynas Endura Z3 as it is a stiff, highly modified binder that provides more interesting projects. a high resistance to deformation.

ð Read more about Yara’s battery-powered ship at www.yara.com/knowledge-grows/ game-changer-for-the-environment/­

 FIFE, UK

“RECOFOAM® WITH Nynas binder enables us to and consistent foaming properties. The save energy and reduce CO2 emissions by up basic principle of RECOFOAM® is to expand to 50 %.” bitumen via contact with small amounts of For Chris Wingrove, Quality and Development water under carefully controlled conditions, Manager at the specialist highway services then mix the foamed bitumen with cold moist company Eurovia Roadstone, Nynas Nyfoam 100 aggregate. The process is based on surface was the obvious choice when his company tension; when the bitumen foam collapses embarked on a major recycling program the binder grips the fine particles, which in on a section of the very busy A92 at Ladybank turn forms a strong mortar that encapsulates South, Fife, Scotland. “The existing surface the coarser particles. contained tar which is classified as hazardous “The service we had from Nynas waste, so special measures had to be under- was excellent. When our client taken,” says Chris Wingrove. changed the scope close to Committed to sustainability and recycling, delivery day and we needed Eurovia Roadstone opted to reuse the old an additional load of bitumen, material. Eurovia Roadstone’s RECOFOAM® Nynas arranged, out of hours, incorporates up to 95 % recycled and secondary a next day delivery. Their materials plus special foaming bitumen binder flexibility helped us to finish from Nynas. the works on time over two Produced to comply with EN 12591 weekends,” says Chris Wingrove. paving grade specifications, Nyfoam 100 is a special bitumen product with excellent­ RECOFOAM is a trademark registered by Eurovia

10 BITUMEN MATTERS  THE ROAD NETWORK, SWEDEN

MORE AND MORE car drivers are Apart from the inconvenience of complaining about the standard of having damage repaired, drivers the roads and demanding better also incur significant costs. One maintenance, primarily on the suggestion to address this urgent less trafficked road network. And problem is to display warning statistics support them. Costs for signs on roads in poor condition, car repairs associated with poor although in the longer term more road conditions are increasing comprehensive measures are rapidly. According to the auto- clearly required. repair portal autobutler.se, with According to the Swedish 220 workshops all over Sweden, Transport Administration, which the number of road-related vehicle has an annual budget of just over damages has increased by 45 % 400 million EUR for the maintenance over the last five-year period. of road pavements, roads are being Damage rates peak in the spring subjected to greater stresses because and summer because of potholes, of increasing changes in the weather. hollows and stone and gravel One example of this is water on on the road. Damage is caused the roads repeatedly freezing and ð Read more about Yara’s battery-powered ship at to items including tyres, rims, thawing. This causes the aggregate www.yara.com/knowledge-grows/ wheel mounts, suspension, shock under the asphalt to move, resulting game-changer-for-the-environment/­ absorbers and windscreens. in cracks and cavities.

 HESSEN, GERMANY

DURING 2020, slip roads to and from Even at night-time temperatures as motorways all over the federal state of low as 9 °C and in the pouring rain, Hessen in Germany have been paved the emulsion, with bitumen from Nynas, using microsurfacing to improve road worked excellently. Thanks to optimal grip. Because of the heavy traffic, work processes at the construction especially in the Rhine-Main area, the site and the microsurfacing materials contractors were forced to perform selected, all the slip roads could be the work largely at night, which posed completed within the specified time major challenges for both employees frames and above all in time to ­re-open and machines, but also for construction the road as planned. The choice of materials. With weather conditions microsurfacing means that the slip that were very challenging at times, roads can once more offer good grip, and narrow time windows before even when the road is wet. At the same traffic had to be re-admitted, there time, the underlying asphalt surface were tough demands on the bitumen is protected against additional damage, emulsion. Possehl Spezialbau GmbH, thanks to the method selected. which specialises in the maintenance of The client has now confirmed that a asphalt pavements, relied on the tried major upgrading of the road network and tested system from Innobit GmbH. can be deferred by 8 to 10 years.

BITUMEN MATTERS 11 Stop and full speed ahead

ON 27 NOVEMBER 2020, after 46 days and 8,000 activities with no accidents­ and not one single­ person being infected with COVID-19, a turnaround was completed at the Nynas refinery in Harburg. During the shutdown, the refinery’s process units were closed down in order to enable all scheduled measures so that the equipment could be certified in accordance with current legal requirements.

THE REASON FOR the shutdown is that a refinery, like any other Market focus with production facility, is ­subjected to wear and tear and needs regular­ maintenance. Government­ ­financial strength ­agencies also require a more comprehensive turnaround at Following a successful reorganisation, Nynas is well regular intervals — every five years in Germany — so that plants can positioned to continue building on the company’s be opened up and inspected. strengths. In connection with the ­turnaround, the opportunity was ECEMBER 2020 saw the ­conclusion ­investments in its bitumen business, taken to carry out ­improvements of the challenging reorganisation ­including increased capacity, delivery that cannot be done during D that Nynas carried out, having ­performance and a sustainable supply chain. normal operation. These included been fully released in May from “This means that we can also focus on the installation­ of a new column the US sanctions­ after a change of ownership. developing the next generation of product head — weighing 60 tonnes! — in “Now we’ve concluded a large, complex solutions to meet new demands that are the upper section of the central reorganisation, resulting in the securing of ­influenced by the market trends that we vacuum distillation column. long-term financing and a strong balance have identified,” confirms Bo Askvik. sheet. This is quite extraordinary and ANOTHER PROJECT that was recently­ ­extremely advantageous, not only for Nynas THANKS TO GOOD relationships with ­completed in Harburg is the and our employees, but also for customers ­customers, partners and suppliers, ­updating of the IT system for and suppliers,” says CEO Bo Askvik. ­combined with a very committed loading bitumen. Participants­ The situation that Nynas found itself ­workforce, Nynas is in a strong position in the project, working remotely­ in because of the reorganisation, which ahead of 2021. It will be a new start, yet across several countries, ­followed ­coincided with the ongoing pandemic, put also a continuation of the special corporate­ a detailed schedule with ongoing­ tough demands on all parties concerned. culture that has emerged during company’s activities and daily meetings “But even though things looked pretty 92 years in the market. on Teams. The entire update difficult at the beginning of 2020, we’re “We’re very grateful for the support of and implementation­ took place happy to confirm that we’ve succeeded our loyal customers and suppliers during ­virtually. This is a good ­example in operating our refineries and serving the reorganisation. Together, we will now of what can be achieved with our customers to a high degree with the move forward and continue to develop joint efforts, collaboration and products they needed.” our business­ as a focused and specialized ­engagement combined with This successful reorganisation makes supplier in all our markets,” concludes ­effective digital tools.■ it possible for Nynas to continue ­making Bo Askvik. ■

12 BITUMEN MATTERS SAFETY A spotlight on safety As well as holding senior positions both in Nynas and on various industry committees, Paul Lamb also has 30 years’ practical experience of handling bitumen.

AUL LAMB WAS HIRED at Nynas Plus, as a leading supplier, it was a given in 1990 as an HGV (Heavy that Nynas should contribute to the P Goods Vehicle) driver, but ­process of change. soon felt a desire to make “The important Eurobitume Site Minimising the progress in his career path. ­Inspections that are performed at the “I basically decided to go back to premises of Nynas’ customers ­illustrate risk of boil-over school,” he says. “My studies, which I the high standards required for the pursued partly in parallel with my career, safe ­delivery of bitumen. Many Nynas WHEN WATER COMES into contact with resulted in a diploma in Health, Safety & employees within the Group down the hot bitumen, a powerful reaction Environmental Management.” years have played a significant part occurs. This is because when Having held positions including­ in the various­ industry-wide­ water is heated to the temperature Group SHEQ ­Coordinator, committees, ­contributing to of the bitumen, it vaporises and with ­responsibility for the important sharing of expands. The risk of these kinds setting up and auditing experience, both internal of accidents, known as boil-over, management ­systems for and external.” is particularly high if hot bitumen is the ISO ­standards at Nynas, But there are of course loaded into a tanker that previously Paul Lamb is now UK & WE still areas that need to be transported emulsion or another HSSE Manager. ­improved, such as ­minimising product with a high water content.­ the risk of ­bitumen spillages Other risk factors are if the tank What have you found most interesting from storage tanks due to defects has not been used for a long time, over all these years? in the equipment. as condensation­ can easily form, “I’d almost have to write a book to give “That’s why it’s so important for or if it has been left standing­ open. you a complete answer! However, in ­customers to keep a regular inventory­ of In just a few seconds, 10 litres trying to sum it up, it’s been incredibly their bitumen storage tanks. By ­knowing of water can expand to form inspiring to work with so many interesting how much production they’ve done and 20,000 litres of steam. When the and motivated people, both within and how much product that’s been used, ­pressurised steam passes through outside the company. Together, we’ve it helps to assess the reliability of their the liquid bitumen, a hot foam is achieved significant progress in the field equipment,” explains Paul Lamb. formed that is forced out through of health, safety and environment, for Another European important initiative the manhole or, if the tank is the benefit of everyone in our industry.” that is increasingly being highlighted closed, causes an explosion. Paul Lamb also mentions the increased is the aim for drivers being able to carry In other words, it is extremely awareness of the hazards and risks out bitumen deliveries at ground level, important that the driver always ­associated with bitumen, which is after all so therefore drivers avoid having to makes sure that the tank is free not classed as a dangerous product, it’s work at height. of water or aqueous products a product with an elevated ­temperature. before loading. ■ “Another important driving force What can Nynas do to contribute to has been the various Nynas ­members ­continued positive development? V To raise the safety awareness in committees such as Eurobitume, “Continue the active participation regarding boil-over, Eurobitume along with other committees such as in ­various industry committees, it’s has produced a practical manual EAPA and IAT for example, in order about taking on board the information, in four steps. You can find it here: to highlight ­various aspects­ of health, ­initiatives and objectives, and striving www.eurobitume.eu/public_­ safety and ­environmental issues.” continuously to implement best practice downloads/HSE-Documents/EB_ In other words, we can now look back towards the safe handling of bitumen,” Boil_Over_Prevention__English_.pdf on a positive trend in the area of HSE. concludes Paul Lamb. ■

BITUMEN MATTERS 13 INTERVIEW

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE is at the heart of the development of new mobility,” says Amélie Schäfer, Policy Officer for European and International Affairs at the Confederation of International THE ROAD TO Contractors’ Associations (CICA). Amélie Schäfer is a member of the steering group for “International Benchmark 2020 — New Mobility & Road NEW MOBILITY Infrastructure”,“ a study aimed at identifying trends and providing food for thought for stakeholders. An international benchmark study highlights the Focusing on autonomous, connected, road industry’s role in the transformation of road low-/non-emission, and urban mobility, the study concludes that, in the context infrastructure and the development of new mobility. of the development of new mobility, “the role of the road infrastructure is generally Text: Gittan Cedervall underestimated”.

14 BITUMEN MATTERS competences within the road sector, “For me, the degradation of road including road authorities. ­maintenance was one of the big surprises “So far, European investments have of the study. Especially in France, there is focused more on rail, but roads are more a big gap between the quality of the main adaptable than rail, and and secondary roads,” he says. most transport will stay on roads in the next 20 to 30 years,” says Project Manager Simon “Roads are more ­Gianordoli from The adaptable than rail, European Union Road Simon Gianordoli Federation (ERF). and most transport will stay on roads in the Innovative hubs The main message of the study is that next 20 to 30 years.” the maintenance and adaptation of road infrastructure are the prerequisites for Simon Gianordoli the development and promotion of new Project Manager ERF mobility that in turn will enable ecological and energy transition. It also states that “significant levels of public investment are needed to accompany this change, Flexibility of roads ­notably with the help of the future Conducted between March 2019 and ­European Recovery Plan”. March 2020, the benchmark preceded While the study analyses Europe in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a more detail, it actually covers 20 countries second phase, focusing on ten European from around the globe. Experiences from countries, is taking into account mobility North and Latin America and Asia serve and road infrastructure developments mainly as reference points from which influenced by the pandemic. lessons can be learnt. Although the pandemic has forced From an international perspective, plans to be delayed and pledges to be Photo: Shutterstock strategies are well-developed in Europe, re-written, in some cases it might also and several countries have advanced have accelerated change. plans in place. In the next few years, “The flexibility of roads became “When we talk about new mobility, we Simon Gianordoli expects innovative evident, and some of the new bike paths often focus on the automotive industry or hubs to spring up all over Europe, introduced during the pandemic have the telecommunications ­modelled on world leading experiments become permanent,” says Simon Gianordoli. industry, but we forget in, for instance, The Netherlands. “However, we also saw public transport about the basics — the “Common rules are important for being virtually deserted,” he adds. road infrastructure,” the development of new mobility, “It brought home to us what a huge task Amélie Schäfer argues. and projects need to be cross-national. we are facing,” comments Amélie Schäfer. ■ Especially in Europe, For ­instance, for electric vehicles, the road sector is facing an all-­European charging network Amélie Schäfer major changes. 75 % is needed,” he says. International Benchmark 2020 — of Europeans live in Stressing the importance of road quality, New Mobility & Road Infrastructure urban areas, and road transport accounts Simon Gianordoli argues that physical is an international comparative for more than three-quarters of inland infrastructure, maintenance and materials study initiated by Routes de France, ­passenger transport and more than 70 % with a reduced climate impact should be the European Union Road Federation (ERF), the Fédération Nationale des of inland goods transport in Europe. the primary focus for the road industry Travaux Publics (FNTP), the European Hence, roads play an important role in in the near future. This includes measures Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) meeting climate objectives, and will be aimed at optimising the processes and and the Confederation of International subject to major changes and increased materials used on road surfaces as well Contractors’ Associations (CICA). demands that herald a need for wider as the lifecycle of such materials.

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