Shell Opens New Plant to Supply Premium Grade Bitumen in Hong Kong

The new plant produces different grades of Shell’s polymer-modified bitumen, marketed under the Shell Cariphalte brand. The Shell Cariphalte range of bitumen, manufactured by blending selected high performing polymers with carefully chosen base bitumen, is designed for improved adhesion and durability compared to conventional bitumen, helping to provide a safer, quieter and longer-lasting surface. Shell Cariphalte has been used in Hong Kong projects including Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Stonecutters Bridge, Shenzhen Bay Bridge, Tolo Highway and Island Eastern Corridor.

Improved supply reliability and product quality

“Our polymer-modified bitumen has been used extensively on local key projects. With the commencement of various infrastructure projects in the city, we anticipate growth in demand for high quality bitumen. The new facility will boost our supply reliability of polymer-modified bitumen and further improve the relevance of the products we offer to Hong Kong customers,” shared Thanes Rajatapiti, Shell Bitumen Regional General Manager for Asia and Middle East.

The new local manufacturing capability helps ensure consistent product quality. This translates to timely production that caters to the requirements of fluctuating paving needs. The local plant will also be capable to produce different performance grades of high quality bitumen more reliably and quickly.

Shell Bitumen FreshAir – new bitumen solution to help make road paving cleaner

Hong Kong people are becoming more aware of the issues associated with air quality and the impacts it has on their daily lives. As a responsible company, Shell aspires to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services in this increasingly crowded city more efficiently and more cleanly.

In today’s event, Shell also announced a new bitumen solution that will be introduced in cities around the world this year – Shell Bitumen FreshAir. This new product has been shown to help reduce emissions of specific gases and particulates from asphalt mixtures during production and paving by an average 40% when compared to conventional bitumen, helping to reduce their impact on local air quality.

“With the new facility becoming operational as well as the introduction of Shell Bitumen FreshAir, Shell is prepared and committed to support Hong Kong in its’ road infrastructure development for many more years to come,” added Thanes.

About Shell Bitumen

• Shell is a leader in bitumen technology and currently holds 49 active patent series linked to bitumen and asphalt.
• Shell is the world’s largest international bitumen marketer and delivers enough bitumen to help resurface 450 kilometres of road every day; enough to travel around the world four times in one year.
• Shell Bitumen’s solutions have been used on a number of Formula One racetracks: Sakhir (Bahrain), Sepang (Malaysia), Marina Bay Street Circuit (Singapore), Hockenheim (Germany) and Yas Marina (Abu Dhabi). Shell has also recently paved the Bugatti Circuit in LeMans, France in 2016.
• Shell supplies a wide range of high quality bitumen products, from standard-grade bitumen to special polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), which are marketed under the brand name Shell Cariphalte. Shell Cariphalte has been used in a number of Hong Kong projects for applications such as Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Stonecutters Bridge, Shenzhen Bay Bridge, Tolo Highway and Island Eastern Corridor.

Media enquiries:

Ting Hoo, External Relations Manager
Tel: 2506 7341