Asphalt Plants and Asphalt: Realities of the Modern Market in the Russian Federation and Their Impact on the Environment

The current situation in the economy and industry of the Russian Federation is such that asphalt plants are becoming increasingly in demand. The active expansion of the construction industry, and therefore of infrastructure, naturally implies a need for new high-quality asphalt pavements, and consequently — for asphalt plants (ABZ). Their main product — asphalt mixture — is a combination of crushed stone (filler, gravel), a binding agent (primarily bitumen) and “stone dust,” which is mixed by the asphalt-mixing unit (ASU). Most asphalt concrete plants produce more than one type of asphalt mixture.

It can be said with confidence that the prospects for the development of the asphalt production sector in the Russian Federation are clear, since road surfaces that meet modern requirements and are reliable and high-quality will always be needed everywhere in our country, whether in Moscow or other cities. It should be remembered that the range of asphalt applications is significantly broader than paving roadways, routes, and highways. When asphalt is used, its electrical insulation and waterproofing properties play a major role; moreover, asphalt is used to surface airfields, roofs, etc., and to produce various varnishes, adhesives, and so on. By producing good asphalt, the owners of asphalt plants positively influence the development and spread of road networks, and indirectly affect regional economies, helping them to develop and prosper.

There are currently many registered companies specializing in the production of asphalt-mixing units (ASU) of reasonably good quality, but the RT-50 asphalt-mixing unit is the one that best meets all requirements of efficiency, practicality, and modernity. Spare parts for ABZs are also in demand and popular on the Russian market. This unit is the first ASU produced and developed in Russia. From this follows a set of its positive advantages and characteristics, thanks to which an increasing number of customers prefer this reliable and modern ABZ. Moreover, during a crisis the RT-50 can be considered the most profitable, sensible, and practical investment. In addition, spare parts for an ABZ manufactured in our country are much easier to find and cost significantly less than foreign equivalents, standing out favorably in price while maintaining consistently high quality.

An asphalt concrete plant (ABZ), such as the RT-50, is a versatile complex that involves the automation of several production stages and manufactures various asphalt concrete mixtures. It is worth noting that asphalt production is the most energy-intensive process in road construction, and resource consumption and energy use depend directly on the condition of the equipment owned by the asphalt plant as well as its fleet of vehicles. To keep your plant’s equipment in working condition, you must take a responsible approach when choosing its location. You should take into account many factors here, such as the availability of necessary transport and labor, the distance for delivery of asphalt mix components, easy access to water supply, electricity, and so on.

Of course, most people today have heard repeatedly about the damage an asphalt plant can cause to the environment. Despite this, a very serious approach is taken to addressing this issue at ABZs. To further reduce harmful emissions, various dust collectors operate at ASUs — wet (so‑called scrubbers), dry, and those with bag filters. In addition, a range of measures is applied, such as replacing internal combustion engines with electric motors to minimize CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, as well as preserving roadside vegetation to purify the air and improve the environment.

Thus, one can draw the obvious conclusion: when appropriate precautions are observed, an asphalt plant and an ASU are completely safe for nature. Moreover, they are highly efficient enterprises, in great demand under any conditions, reliable in operation, and very promising in the current market realities.