Ferrovial and Exxon to work on obtaining modified tars and emulsions using spearhead technology

Ferrovial and EXXON to work on obtaining modified tars and emulsions using spearhead technology

Ditecpesa, a subsidiary of the Ferrovial Group in charge of distribution and commercialisation of tar, has taken a step further in its technological improvement strategy and has signed a technological collaboration agreement with EXXON, a world leading firm in refining and production of petroleum derived products, to obtain modified tars and emulsions using spearhead technology and to share experiences to optimise road surface sizing.

The collaboration agreement, that is to have a five- year term, will allow Ditecpesa to perform research work at the centre the European subsidiary of EXXON - ESSO - has at Port Jerôme, France. This agreement increases Ditecpesas capacity to guarantee the quality of its products (tars, emulsions, modified tars, etc.) and to provide the technical support required for all the works.

Growth and innovation

The policy of growth and innovation has led Ditecpesa to duplicate its storage capacity with new tanks for tar, at the Port of Gijón, and to acquire two mobile plants to manufacture modified tars and emulsions.

Ditecpesa has supplied modified tar (BM³A) to manufacture drainage agglomerate to works such as Marcenado-Lieres, Benavente-La Bañeza, Atalaya-Motilla del Palancar, Minglanilla-Cadete de las Fuentes, Costa del Sol toll road, etc. Moreover, it has developed a special asphalt emulsion that is easy to apply, to waterproof bridge boards, that has been applied in Astorga-Manzanal, M-203 Alcalá de Henares, Archena-Venta del Olivos, etc.

Ditecpesa has applied for ISO 9001 standard endorsement by AENOR and is working on development of ecological modifiers for tar and manufacturing packed cold agglomerate, intended to replace road surfaces affected by ruts, and for minor repairs.

Among companies involved in distribution and commercialisation of tar in which refineries do not have a holding, Ditecpesa is a leader in the sector in Spain, with a market share of 10% in 1999, which rises to 20% in manufacturing modified tar.