KOCHI: Bharat Petroleum Corporation has launched viscosity grade bitumen and became the first oil marketing company to introduce the product in the country.
The product was officially launched in southern markets by handing over the product catalogue to T.K. Jose, managing director, Roads and Bridges Development Corporation Ltd. by D.M.Reddy, executive director (I&C), BPCL, Mumbai, at a formal function held in Kochi.
E Nandakumar, executive director, Kochi Refinery, and other senior officials from BPCL and Kerala Public Works Department, participated.
In view of the importance of bitumen in road construction and maintenance, it is necessary that appropriate grade of bitumen, most suited for our environment, is used and adequate quality control is exercised at each stage.
The BIS has issued IS 73:2006 specification for the product, which supersedes the earlier specification IS 73:1992 for penetration grade paving bitumen.
The new product replaces the traditional penetration grade bitumen and is designed to take care of pavement distress at lowest temperature (responsible for cracking) and at maximum service temperature (responsible for rutting).
Besides, the Kochi Refinery of the BPCL is also marketing NRMB (Natural Rubber Mixed Bitumen). The roads laid with this product lasts for longer period compared to the traditional bitumen. Emulsion grades, slow setting and rapid setting are also specialties of BPCL, which can be used even during rainy season for maintenance purposes.