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The research works carried out by the Chair of Sustainable Asphalt Bitafal - Um begin to bear fruit. The project, carried out by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Montevideo together with Bitafal, aims to train future engineers in the concepts of sustainability applied to the road construction of our country.

Within that framework, days ago the first three research works developed by students were presented during 2024. Before a classroom full of authorities and students of the FIUM, the students presented the projects, which address the theme from different perspectives: the reduction of the application temperatures of the asphalt mixtures known as warm mixtures; The incorporation of ground glass into the production of conventional asphalt mixtures (Glassphalt) and the advantages of using aqueous emulsions compared to the use of diluted based on oil -derived solvents.

The general director of Bitafal Santiago Kröger highlighted the work of the CAS throughout 2024, which brings together the academy with the road industry in the search for innovative solutions for this industry, indicating that “these first works, with excellent academic level and much dedication by students and teachers, mark us that we are on the right path”. In that sense, the manager announced that the three projects will be presented at the next Latin American Ibero Congress of the Asphalt (CILA), which will be held this year in Paraguay.

The event was conducive to launching the inscriptions for the 2025 season of the Chair, the presence of students of the fique who already joined the initiative in this school year being very important. CAS David Fontans stressed that there are several projects in execution for this year, highlighting those for the use of biomass ashes in construction materials, use of recovered asphalt materials (rap) in new pavements, analysis of other typologies of asphalt mixtures with glass addition, and the development of an application for collection of material testing information. All of them, like the members of generation 2024, will be able to develop their initiatives with the possibility of experiencing them in practice, together with the Bitafal team and other companies in the road construction industry.

The chair of sustainable asphalt Bitafal - UM emerged from a company joint initiative and the University of Montevideo aimed at training the new generations of engineering professionals, which contribute to thinking about the roads of the future, minimizing the environmental impact of its production process, reducing costs and benefiting the entire community.

For the second consecutive year BitaFal said present at the Uruguay Sustainable Expo, organized by the Ministry of Environment at the Antel Arena. The Sustainable Asphalt Production Company and asphalt mixtures convened authorities of the road sector, businessmen, colleagues and representatives of the Academy to share a forum on the new trends in sustainable road construction.

An excellent technical level panel, composed of Ing. Martín Goyeneche of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, Ing. Silvana Martínez of the Ministry of Environment, Ing. Juan Echeverz of the construction company Colier, and the general director of BitaFal Santiago Kröger analyzed the current state of the application of the new techniques and products that aim to incorporate the sustainability to the construction in the Uruguayan road network.

In that sense, the specialists referred to the regulations analyzing the MTOP to incorporate in the coming years these concepts in the calls to tender for the maintenance of the road infrastructure, either as requirements or as recommendations for the asphalt provinations and also for the construction companies.

The general director of BitaFal Santiago Kröger valued the advanced in recent years, with the incorporation of pavement recycled, the use of warm asphalt mixtures and aqueous emulsions that replace those diluted based on fossil fuels.

The regulation that is under study of the MTOP authorities would first in a bonus for sustainable production, which represents an innovation and a great incentive for the road construction industry to adopt these new techniques that are quickly imposing internationally.

The meeting, held before a public room, was an excellent opportunity for the exchange between the different actors in the sector, enriching the analysis of a theme that will surely be decisive for the industry in the not too distant future.

June 19 are a very special day in Bitafal. On that day we celebrate our anniversary, the moment when Claudio and Diego Kröger founded the company in 1984.

This year we decided to celebrate it with a great encounter of all who worked in the three towns of Bitafal. The cold but sunny day allowed us to meet outdoors to share some delicious churros with hot chocolate and fundamentally to review the most important moments of our history and know firsthand the projects we have for the future.

In addition, our Head of Human Resources Marinella Fernández presented an initiative that as of this year was established for the entire Bitafal team: the recognition of the trajectory of those who meet 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years in the company. A moment of great shared joy, which celebrates the permanence and commitment of those who work in our company for a longer time.

The recognition of this year were the following: Carlos Vilariño with 20 years and 10 years for Antonella Lasso, Rodolfo Valentín and Gustavo Olazabal.

With all that energy we begin to travel a new year of life in Bitafal, sure to be contributing to the development of a new road infrastructure in our country. Because as we say in our presentation "we transform road, we develop future."

The main sustainability business forum in the country, had Bitafal as the protagonist. He
Forbes Sustainability Summit, organized by the prestigious international publication of
Business, received our general director Santiago Kröger, who exhibited about the
Experience that our company has been developing in the field.

Before an auditorium of the Hyatt Centric Hotel groaned by entrepreneurs from many different sectors
of activity, Santiago made reference to one of the most important points facing the
Companies that decide to venture into sustainable production: the economy. In that sense,
He pointed out that “we must be clear that being sustainable is no more expensive; there may be savings,
benefits and even cheaper financing rates than usual. ”

He also recalled the investment that Bitafal made in his energy matrix, with the
conversion of boilers to biomass, photovoltaic solar energy and also with the
Incorporation of the first 100% electric truck of the country and the region.
The Forbes Summit Congregated entrepreneurs, teachers, entrepreneurs and experts
On environmental and sustainability issues, generating an excellent meeting opportunity
and exchange, thinking of a more sustainable Uruguay towards the future.

With the presence of the President of the Republic Yamandú Orsi, vice president Carolina Cosse, ministers and other government authorities,

Before an acts of the MTOP filled, Minister Etcheverry thanked the designation and recalled that for the first time a woman occupies the headquarters of that portfolio. Subsequently, he outlined the first guidelines where his management will lead, highlighting the need to improve mobility, especially in the metropolitan area, in a multidisciplinary approach and with participation of the State and private companies.

BitaFal was present on the occasion through the presence of our director Santiago Kröger, accompanying the new authorities, to wish them the greatest successes and to continue with the excellent relationship and cooperation that the company has been maintained with all the authorities of the MTOP throughout its 40 years of life.

On the occasion of the 8M, in Bitafal we organize a day of recognition and tribute to the women who participate in the road industry. The call included the participation of 20 guests from Amigas companies, authorities of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works and the Bitafal team in the activity that Traditionally organizes Magnolio Sala, where outstanding women from many different fields present their stories, in a framework of reflection, emotion and also of joy.

Subsequently, we share a lunch with our honoree at the Mission Restaurant, where we exchange about the participation of women in the construction sector, and especially in the road, where their presence increases every day, assuming significantly more important responsibilities and roles.

The good comments received once the day is completed, encourage us to reiterate it next year and surely convert it the forced event of the women of our sector.

On April 4, a full day of presentations of national and international experts on the impact of roads on biodiversity and the environment was held in El Maca.
The opening was in charge of the Director of Roads, Mr. Federico Magone and the organizer of the same, the MSC. Hugo Coitiño.
Dissertations from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico followed, showing that taking mitigation measures are one of the greatest challenges that our ways have today.

The days highlighted the situation of road ecology in the world and especially in Latin America with various success cases that were presented by international experts.
From Argentina, the construction and monitoring of fauna steps in Misiones were shown, from Brazil there were advances in support for the development of public road policies.
Countries with many ecological reserves such as Costa Rica and Colombia showed the advances and history of impact mitigation of the roads on them.

Already in the afternoon, the days focused on the state of art in Uruguay and the environmental management of road works.

The presentations focused on:

• The implementation of specific measures for fauna care.
• The National System of Protected Areas: Experiences of monitoring abuses in three protected areas.
• The application of EIA law in road ecology.
• The control of two prioritized exotic species.

The Traxpalco company was present by showing fauna and awareness passages in biodiversity in the Creamf Route 9 - Pan of Sugar - Rocha.

On April 29 in Bitafal we dressed as a party to present in society our first sustainability report, corresponding to 2024. The event was attended by the Minister of Environment Prof. Edgardo Ortuño, the Undersecretary of Transportation and Public Works Archite Academia and much of the Bitafal team, we share a day of joy and reflection on the production of sustainable asphalt and the care of the environment.

The Ortuño Minister stressed the importance of incorporating the concepts of sustainability in the industrial sector and valued cooperation between the public and the private, in the face of a responsible management of natural resources, especially of water.

For his part, our general director Santiago Kröger referred to the great effort that this first report represented for BitaFal defined it as "a milestone, a turning point that allows us to see where we are unemployed and what actions we must take in the field of sustainability for the future."

The report was prepared jointly by a multidisciplinary team of BitaFal and the Consultant Urban Elements. It analyzes in depth the environmental, social and economic aspects of all our operations. A panel composed of the Head of Security, Quality and Sustainability of BitaFal Ana Laura Hernández, the Global Pact Valentina Pactine Manager and the representative of the Consultant Urban Elements Nicolás Taranto, deepened about the most relevant aspects of the report, placing special emphasis on the carbon footprint and the water footprint of the production of asphalt.

The closure of the meeting had a fun knowledge dynamic about sustainability and subsequently a agape was shared, a moment for the encounter and exchange between all attendees.

A special highlight deserves the musical introduction of the meeting as Flashmob, in charge of the Lea Bensessón voice school, where a group of women entered singing to our Spanish patio, interpreting a medley of songs linked to the roads and the environment.

Download our report HERE

During the two days, professionals from all of the academic, business and official distributions that presented 37 technical works based on the different asphalt topics participated. From Uruguay, Ing. Lucio Borelli presented the development and execution of the bases with foaming asphalt of the section of Route 6 under his driving.

The program included three masterful, high -level speakers, carried out by Prof. Juan Gallego of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Ing. Ricardo Bardasano of the Technical Association of Bituminous Emulsions of Spain and Dr. Jorge Prozzi of the University of Texas in Austin, USA. Likewise, the CPA presented two documents generated by the subcommittees of additives and technical specifications: the book of “sustainable pavements”, based on the reuse of recycled plastics and the project of specifications for recycled mixtures in situ with asphalt emulsion.

The XL Meeting also had an emotional moment in which special tribute to the Ingos was paid. Jorge Tosticarelli and Jorge Lockhart, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the institution, with relatives present from both honored.

Before concluding the meeting, the Interila was launched, within the framework of the celebration of the 80 years of the CPA, to be developed in April 2025 in the city of Córdoba. Also, the authorities of the Paraguayan Association of Caminos formally invited to participate in the Cila de Paraguay, scheduled for November 2025.

Here you can visualize the detailed program and photos of the event.

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