Shell unveils more environment-friendly Bitumen FreshAir for infrastructure projects

MANILA: Pilipinas Shell introduced the Bitumen FreshAir, an environmentally sustainable asphalt substance that has been developed to minimize the impact of air pollutants when building runways, bridges, roads, racetracks, highways, and bridges.

The coverage of the 17-million kilograms of Bitumen includes local infrastructure projects in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This is projected to improve air quality when passengers and motorists travel.

Shell’s Bitumen has gained approval from the assistant director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bureau of Research and Standards Engr. Reynaldo Faustino, as the environment-friendly bitumen product is compliant with the regulations of the DPWH.

Faustino said, “The thrust of what we do at DPWH stays the same: We shall build more roads and long-span bridges that connect the mainland to island provinces. The Bitumen FreshAir fits in our projects as it meets R.A. 8749 Clean Air Act.” 

The first to use the Bitumen FreshAir was the local government unit (LGU) of the Bohol eco-tourism spot. Nevertheless, the Country Business Manager of Shell Bitumen PH Allan Canedo stressed that the organization will extend its coverage to other LGUs and regions. 

Canedo said, “We’re looking to lock in deals with ecotourism destinations just like Bohol where stringent policies in protecting the environment are in place. We are confident that we can cover infrastructure projects in the whole Visayas, Mindanao, and even Luzon with the 17-million kilograms of Bitumen FreshAir that our plants based in Batangas and Mindanao are currently sheltering.”

According to Shell Bitumen Philippines Technical Manager Janet Marcellana, the utilization of Bitumen FreshAir has the same effect on the decrease of nitrogen equivalent with the removal of an average of 40 vehicles per kilometer of asphalt placed annually.

Marcellana added, “It significantly reduced the levels of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide by an average of 40% during asphalt production and road paving when compared to using conventional bitumen.” 

Standard bitumen products normally receive complaints from on-site employees who are affected and inhabitants of communities surrounding the construction sites.

With the goal of dealing with this concern while keeping sustainability in consideration, the Shell Bitumen FreshAir was produced at the fuel company’s state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) center in Bangalore, India.

The product underwent testing in four major countries, namely, the Netherlands, Thailand, United Kingdom (UK), and France. Reports of positive results in air quality have been made in the process.

Marcellana recalled that in 2019, construction projects in China and UK where Bitumen FreshAir was utilized have gained numerous benefits from the product.

As for the Philippines, it is the next country that can completely take advantage of this meticulously made innovation.

The same occurred for those who used Bitumen FreshAir for the first time in the country. It was not long after Cebu 7H Technochem Industries Inc. Quality Assurance Manager Rhowell Tiu authorized the utilization of Bitumen FreshAir in their initiative that the complaints from the LGU were immediately dismissed.

Tiu shared, “After using this innovative product from Shell, we no longer received complaints and our working environment has drastically improved.”

The utilization of Bitumen FreshAir in Bohol has also led to the affirmation of his workers.

Tiu added, “Before using Bitumen FreshAir, we used to get complaints from the local environment agency regarding strong odor in our batching plant. But after using this innovative product from Shell, we no longer received complaints and our working environment has drastically improved.” 

Dr. Faustino emphasized that the DPWH urges stakeholders in the construction sector to take into account the utilization of earth-friendly construction materials to build a more sustainable future.

Shell Specialties Business Regional Technology Manager for Asia Jeyan Vasudevan explained, “Shell is a responsible company that is always looking forward to making solutions that will benefit mankind and the environment. In the years to come, we can assure you that we will remain committed in providing solutions to the ever-changing needs of the world.”

Photo from Pilipinas Shell

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