- The project received HUF 128 million support from the 2010 Economy Development Operative Program (GOP).
- The pilot plant began production in September 2012.
- The plant can produce 5000 tons of rubber bitumen per year.
- Rubber bitumen is made from bitumen and rubber granulate from used tires.
Project Overview
After two-and-a-half years of research and development, MOL has completed the "Road Paving of the 21st Century" project, resulting in a new rubber bitumen production plant at Zala Refinery. This plant uses a proprietary patent to produce rubber bitumen, a road construction material made from bitumen and rubber granulate derived from used tires.
Environmental and Performance Benefits
The rubber bitumen production process offers an environmentally-friendly solution for processing waste rubber tires. Roads paved with this material have a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs compared to traditional bitumen roads. Additional benefits include higher load capacity, reduced pavement rutting, lower traffic noise, and shorter vehicle stopping distances.
Pilot Plant and Experimental Roads
Construction of the pilot rubber bitumen production plant began in January 2012, with production starting in September 2012. Several experimental road sections were built using the new material to gather data on its properties. This data was used to develop technical regulations for incorporating rubber bitumen into the domestic road management system.
Funding and Production Capacity
The project was financed through a combination of MOL's own funds and HUF 128 million in support from the 2010 Economy Development Operative Program (GOP). The plant has a production capacity of 5000 tons of rubber bitumen per year.
Ongoing Development
Research and development efforts continued alongside the project, focusing on minimizing energy and time requirements for production and optimizing product quality. Additional projects at Zala Refinery further improved production technology and reduced environmental impact.
