OREANDA-NEWS. July 10, 2014. The polymer modified bituminous binder "Alfabit”, produced by Rosneft was selected as component for the top layer of the asphalt for the fast track Formula 1 "Sochi Avtodrom".

The “Alfabit” group of products of road bitumen were developed on the basis of world famous European technologies. For many years these technology products have been successfully applied in Germany for the construction of expressways. Jointly with German colleagues, Rosneft has carried out the development of the formulations for the production of polymer-bitumen binders (PMB) adapted to Russian climatic conditions.

Since 2008 Alfabit is produced in large quantities at a plant in the town of Ryazan. Bitumen grades, supplied directly from Rosneft refineries at Yaroslavl, Syzran and Ryazan were used as raw material. Styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomers (SBS) of European manufacturers were selected as polymer component.

Distinctive features of Alfabit are its high elasticity, durability and resistance to deformation. These characteristics of Alfabit were taken into account when choosing a binder for the preparation of asphalt mixtures for example for racing tracks. The wearing course has to withstand the extreme demand and load of racing cars at high speed.

The race track was designed by the architectural Bureau of Tilke Engineering (Germany) under the direction of Mr. Hermann Tilke – the experienced developer of Formular 1 race tracks around the world. Prior to this, the German company has successfully finished two similar projects in Russia – the "Smolensk ring" (Smolensk, 2010) and Moscow Raceway (Volokolamsk, 2012). The wearing courses of these tracks were also built with Alfabit.

For choosing construction materials for the Sochi Circuit, engineers of Tilke Engineering were guided by their own experience in Russia. The experts checked the consistency of qualitative parameters of a number of manufacturers of aggregates and bitumen binders.

Responsible for the design and construction of the “Sochi Circuit”, JSC "Center Omega", jointly with specialists of Tilke Engineering, conducted preliminary laboratory studies on “ Alfabit” - to ensure that components have the required product quality for the project. In spring 2014 the first test laying of the polymer modified asphalt concrete took place. The parties were satisfied with the results.

The selection of Alfabit for the production of the asphalt concrete top layer of the high-speed track was fully justified.