innovation Archives

PRESENT AT THE 3rd SUSTAINABLE URUGUAY EXPO

28 June 2024
in: News
Tags: Sustainable asphalts, Event, innovation

BITAFAL organized a high-level forum on “Sustainable Roads”

Sustainability is a concept strongly incorporated into our vision and our actions. For this reason, within the framework of the 3rd Sustainable Uruguay Expo of the Ministry of the Environment, we organized a forum to analyze from many different angles the progress that our industry has been registering in this regard.

The event, held at the Antel Arena, with the presence of the Undersecretary of the Environment Gerardo Amarilla and a prominent panel of specialists made up of the National Director of Roads Hernán Ciganda, the Director of Environmental Planning of the Ministry of the Environment Silvana Martínez, the expert in roads of the Chamber of Construction Juan Echeverz and the Technical Director of BITAFAL Santiago Kröger.

As a trigger for reflection, the Bitafal team presented a video made by Artificial Intelligence, where the connection between the world of road construction, the environment and sustainable management was raised.

Subsequently, and before an audience made up of business and public representatives of the sector, technicians and students, the panelists advanced on the different aspects linked to sustainability in road construction. The recycling of construction materials on the routes themselves, the use of asphalt mixtures at lower temperatures and techniques with asphalt emulsions, as well as the incorporation of problematic waste from other industries, such as glass sand, vehicle tires or steel slag. , are elements that are already used in Uruguayan road production, in a process that has been growing in recent years and of which Bitafal is a prominent protagonist.

INAUGURATION OF ROUTE 15

18 December 2023
in: News
Tags: asphalt, Bitafal, opening, innovation, mtop, roadworks, floors, Transport, roads

The initial works of PPP 2 by the Grupo Vial Oriental Consortium were completed, which included the renovation of 60 kilometers of Route 15

The Uruguayan government, headed by President Luis Lacalle Pou, the Minister of Transportation and Public Works, José Luis Falero, the Undersecretary of the MTOP, Juan José Olaizola, and the Mayor of Rocha, Alejo Umpiérrez, inaugurated road reconditioning projects in the department de Rocha, with a total investment of 65 million dollars carried out by the companies Hernández and González, together with Traxpalco.

The recent inauguration of the renovated section of Route 15, known as the “route of the 99 curves”, covered 60 kilometers from Rocha to the junction with Route 13. The significant improvement involved the replacement of the original bituminous treatment with a binder solution asphalt with modified asphalt type AM3 provided by BITAFAL in addition to a planialtimetric readjustment, widening, surcharge and stabilized with portland, ensuring greater durability. The work also included the construction of a culvert over the Casimiro stream and new bridges in Las Conchas, Arroyo India Muerta and Sarandí de la Paloma.

The Minister of Transportation and Public Works, José Luis Falero, highlighted the decentralization and investment close to 400 million dollars that Rocha will experience in this five-year period. He announced the upcoming inauguration of the section of route 15 from Rocha to Lascano in the first half of next year and the transformation of route 13 to zero ballast. At the same event, a new passenger transport line from the Rutas del Sol company was enabled, which will connect routes 19 and 15 with the capital, promising greater communication and integration for Rocha and neighboring departments.

Fuente: https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-transporte-obras-publicas/comunicacion/noticias/inauguracion-tramo-ruta-15-avance-clave-para-conectividad-rocha

SPECIAL MENTION TO BITAFAL BY FORMER MTOP MINISTER LUCIO CÁCERES

18 December 2023
in: News
Tags: asphalt, Bitafal, events, innovation, mtop, floors, Transport, roads

Bitafal was present at the commemoration of Latu and the National Road Directorate for 30 years of collaboration to improve the quality of road works.

On December 6, in the Auditorium of the Latu Technology Park and the National Road Directorate of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, they celebrated the continuous collaboration in improving the quality control of the materials used in road works.

Present at the event were the Minister of Transportation and Public Works, José Luis Falero, the President of Latu, Ruperto Long and the national director of roads, Hernán Ciganda. Bitafal managers were able to exchange their experience and contribution in the country's road industry.

In this context, the former Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Lucio Cáceres, sent some words in which he highlighted the leading role of the company in the development of road constructions. “The deregulation of the Ancap asphalt monopoly, the Latu laboratory, and the development of the Bitafal company, were three fundamental axes to put the country in the road situation,” he said.

Bitafal is a key player in the quality of the products used in road construction and thus accompanies the growth and development of the country. By participating in this event, it reaffirms its commitment to continue working together to incorporate the best quality standards in its products and materials.

INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEMS CENTER (CSIT)

30 August 2023
in: News
Tags: roads, innovation, mtop, road safety, Transport, uruguay, roads

The Center will make it possible to manage and monitor the traffic control equipment of the national road network.

The purpose of launching this center is to optimize traffic management through the use of new technologies, as well as to promote the safety of all road infrastructure users.
The service will work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, monitoring the road network and collecting information, which will serve as input for the Traffic Engineering Area to make decisions in real time. In this way, it is intended to minimize vehicle congestion on national routes.

This Center monitors:

-The traffic lights installed in the national road network.

-Variable messaging billboards that inform in real time travel times, cuts, and any other traffic interruption and have a fundamental role in traffic regulation, offering circulation alternatives.

-Speed management equipment.

-Cameras.

-Traffic counting equipment.

The CSIT is located in the MTOP headquarters building and has state-of-the-art equipment. The speed violation validation area will also work there, which will be in charge of analyzing images and videos of possible violations.

In addition, 100 new devices were installed to control speed on national routes and urban journeys, promoting good driving practices.
There are 100 active teams that will alternate in 112 points throughout the country, which means that some boxes will not contain devices. These state-of-the-art instruments will register traffic violations but will not set a fine until next month, with prior notice. All of them are duly signposted, indicating the maximum speed allowed, in accordance with current regulations.

In the event of doubts and queries, users may call 0800 1139, or enter the infraction consultation system with their registration number and register, which will soon be available on the MTOP website.

This is part of the 2020-2025 National Road Safety Plan, which includes the analysis, design and execution of a road works plan: 110 new intersection solutions, including 10 interchanges, 100 roundabouts and turning basins, an increase of one 50% lighting, 71.5 km of third tracks, 642 km of new routes, zero ballast, 250 interventions on bridges, 28 rest areas for trucks. In addition, it includes information and awareness campaigns.

Within this framework, this year 450 million dollars will be invested in works with an important component in road safety. The head of Transportation, days ago stated that the growth of the automotive fleet must be accompanied by new infrastructure works. "Traffic is changing and we have to change the strategy," he said, and in that sense, he indicated that investment in public works - which is record in this period - will allow progress in infrastructure, paving, the network and road safety .

MTOP SOURCE 1

SOURCE MTOP 2

VOLVO LAUNCHES ITS FIRST ELECTRIC TRUCK

30 August 2023
in: News
Tags: Continue reading: “WAY TO THE FUTURE”, renewable energy, Bitafal group, innovation, investment, Transport

Bitafal was present at the launch of the first large electric truck in Latin America.

The event took place on August 1 at the Volvo plant in Curitiba, Brazil. Many cargo transportation companies from our country were present, mainly in the forestry sector.

The launch for Latin America began with our country and we had the pleasure of being invited by Mekatronic to it. We tell you more about this new team.

The electric truck has various lithium battery packs that allow its autonomy to be adjusted to the intended use. At the moment it can reach up to about 300 km of autonomy with a full load of 45 tons.

In terms of performance and driving comfort, it is superior to the same equipment in the diesel line, great acceleration and a silent ride. As for maintenance, it is practically non-existent and easy to carry out.

All Volvo cabin models are available for this new line as well as the latest generation driving safety and comfort packs.

The first 4 test units are at the Curitiba plant and we had the pleasure of driving them on its test track. We expect a relatively rapid development of this new generation of road transport.

WE EXPAND OUR FLEET

30 June 2023
in: News
Tags: asphalt, Bitafal group, innovation, investment, Transport, uruguay, roads

Twenty new teams will be distributing our products in Uruguay and the region

Bitafal is expanding its international ground transportation fleet for both asphalts and emulsions to improve the delivery service for our products as well as to expand our supply capacity. These are 8 state-of-the-art Volvo FHX 460 trucks with all security systems, 10 heated tankers for asphalt and 2 tankers for asphalt emulsions.

The FHX 460 trucks have the full safety package that includes Electronic Stability Control to prevent rollover and skidding, EBS brakes, driver fatigue alert, lane keeping assistance, radar-based blind spot alarm, programmer of speed adapted to maintain the distance with the vehicles that circulate, warning of danger of collision and automatic emergency braking. This is complemented by an automatic gearbox, electronically controlled air suspension as well as high visibility LED lights. Euro 5 engines ensure compliance with emissions standards.

The insulated heated asphalt tankers also feature high safety standards such as air suspension, ABS brakes, and rollover protection and spill moldings.

All these teams guarantee the safety of our drivers as well as the other drivers present on our routes.

FIRST PANAMANIAN ASPHALT CONGRESS

28 April 2023
in: News
Tags: asphalt, congress, Bitafal group, innovation, roads

Grupo Bitafal was present at the first edition of the event that brought together professionals from the sector from more than 20 countries

The Congress organized by the recently formed Panamanian Asphalt Institute was held on April 20 and 21 in Panama City and featured 24 conferences by renowned international exhibitors who shared with the more than 300 participants of the event.

Among the issues on the agenda were the use of modified asphalts, the specifications by performance level, the design of pavements, as well as commercial issues such as the changes in the production and supply of asphalts that all our countries are suffering.

During the first day, the presentations of Eng. Mario Jair on asphalt mixes at low temperatures with RAP of modified asphalts, Eng. Rafael Martins and Gary Fitts from Kraton on highly modified asphalts, Eng. Andreas Lutz from Anton Paar on performance characterization of asphalts and mastics by DSR and Eng. Dave Collings on foamed asphalts.

The second day had excellent presentations by prestigious academics such as Eng. Luis Guillermo Loría on empirical mechanistic design trends, Eng. Adalberto Faxina on modified asphalts and their performance in pavements in Brazil, and Dr. Silvia Caro on advances in the characterization of moisture damage in asphalt mixes.

The Congress also had an interesting commercial exhibition with leading companies in the sector such as Syntex Asphalt, Humberto Quintero, Wirtgen, Bomag among others.

Grupo Bitafal was present at this event, participating in a round table together with important technicians, in which the latest trends and developments in the asphalt industry were discussed. Participation in this congress allows us to continue advancing in our vision of being leaders in the region and continue looking for increasingly sustainable alternatives for the supply of asphalt and road construction.

We are excited for what the future holds for the asphalt industry and we thank the Panamanian Asphalt Institute for organizing this congress and giving us the opportunity to be a part of it!

We appreciate and strongly support this type of CIU initiatives as they open the panorama on new approaches

31 March 2022
in: News
Tags: chamber of industries, training, development, innovation

Last Tuesday, March 29, in a day held at LATU, we participated in a training session with several companies and entrepreneurs in the sector where we were dialoguing and discussing the main problems we face in this changing global context.

This is a day held within the framework of the “Impulsa Industria” project of the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU) and supported by the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP), whose objective is to generate industrial development projects, generate capabilities within the company and link various stakeholders in the sector.

With the help of a group of experts and through group dynamics, we worked with various tools to be able to define an innovation challenge where, in a systematic and orderly manner, it could be resolved in order to transform those demands, problems or drivers of change into added value for the company and for the client.

We appreciate and strongly support these types of CIU initiatives since they open the panorama to new points of view, strengthen relationships at an industrial level, provide better work tools, and above all help us to continue fine-tuning our innovation processes on which we are so focused.

WEEKLY SEARCH NOTE

that ensures a long useful life to the paving made. The installation of a sculpture by Pablo Atchugarry in the roundabout has already been announced, marking the presence of the sculptor in the area, since he has his museum at km 4 of Route 104, where the accesses were also made.

BITAFAL GROUP WINNER OF THE PwC 2021 INNOVATION AWARD

01 December 2021
in: News
Tags: asphalt, roads, innovation, sustainability

The award is organized by PwC with the support of ANII, IDB and Semanario Busca.

The objective is to recognize Uruguayan companies and organizations that invest in the generation of value, in process improvements to optimize costs and raise the quality of their products and services, in an alternative management of resources and in the introduction of new practices and technologies for a friendlier relationship with the environment.

The jury, made up of representatives of the organizers and by the dean Cr. Jorge Xavier and Prof. Adrián Rodríguez, from the Faculty of Economic Sciences, chose the 5 finalists and the special mentions from among more than 40 applications.

Grupo BITAFAL was doubly awarded as it had a mention for the glass powder pavement project in conjunction with FNC and Arenas de Vidrio and as winner of the 2021 award for the sustainable highway project that involves the incorporation of pavement recycling and the development of new emulsions.

This is a recognition of the effort and innovation of the Uruguayan road construction sector, which is aligned and constantly assumes new challenges.

Thank you all very much for being a part!

The award ceremony was held in Magnolio Sala last Thursday 25 with the leadership of Lucia Brocal and the participation of the applicant companies, similar to the one held in 2020 where Grupo Bitafal was also a finalist.

The five finalists were: Armor Bionics, Colegio Nuestra Señora del Huerto, Grupo Bitafal, Integer and Saber Uruguay. There were also 4 mentions: Biotek Petrol, FNC/Arenas de Vidrio/Bitafal, Hilonyl and Partiluz.

The PwC 2021 Innovation Award Jury was chaired by Jorge Xavier, dean of the Faculty, Flavio Caiafa, president of ANII, Adrián Rodríguez, also from the Faculty, Andrés Danza journalistic director of Search, Marieke Goetsch of the IDB, and Omar Cabral, main partner of PwC.

This initiative complements the Nova Award organized by the ANII together with the business chambers. Grupo Bitafal was the winner of the 2014 Nova Award, was a finalist in 2013 and obtained a special mention in 2010.

Tag Archives:innovation Archives - Bitafal

Grupo Bitafal was present at the first edition of the event that brought together professionals from the sector from more than 20 countries

Last Tuesday, March 29, in a day held at LATU, we participated in a training session with several companies and entrepreneurs in the sector where we were dialoguing and discussing the main problems we face in this changing global context.

The award is organized by PwC with the support of ANII, IDB and Semanario Busca.