Petrobras signs a contract to put on the market a new type of asphalt

On Monday (26), Petrobras concluded the terms of a contract to sell CAP Pro W 30/45, an asphalt specially formulated for applications at reduced temperatures, which generates energy savings in the machining stage (preparation of the asphalt concrete) and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by around 65%.

The partnership with CBAA Asfaltos, the second largest distributor in the country, will expand the development of the low-temperature asphalt market (warm mix asphalt), a technology that is widespread in several countries and whose characteristic is the generation of products with lower carbon intensity, lower energy consumption (fuel for heating the aggregates) throughout the chain, as well as a reduction in fumes and greenhouse gases.

The use of the new asphalt also makes for significant improvement in working conditions, as workers are less exposed to the fumes, and better paving performance in comparison the traditional asphalt.

A more sustainable Petrobras asphalt line

The Petrobras Research Center (Cenpes), run several tests on the CAP Pro W 30/45 both in laboratory and in real conditions of application and use such as in Ituiutaba (MG), in partnership with Ecorodovias;  and in Brotas (SP), with Eixo-SP, both road concessions. The company also presented the test results at events such as Paving Expo and Enacor.

CAP Pro W 30/45—already included in some distributors’ portfolio—is produced and sold at Refinaria Henrique Lage (Revap), in São Paulo, and there are other studies to extend production to other Petrobras refineries.

According to the director of Petrobras Logistics, Sales and Market, Claudio Schlosser, CAP Pro W is an alternative to the asphalt market’s present and future. “For us at Petrobras, it is strategic to develop products with great performance, less emissions and that can favor more sustainable chains.”

The new product was released last December and is a part of the new Petrobras CAP Pro asphalt line, which is more environmentally sustainable. In addition to the CAP Pro W 30/45, the company is already selling the CAP Pro AP, indicated for paving with roughly 25% recycle content, incorporating the concept of circular economy.