Ammann asphalt plant receives acclaim in China

ABP 400 Universal asphalt plant success on one project helps land another scheme for Xingtai Road & Bridge

XINGTAI Road & Bridge Co., one of the largest contractors in China, utilized an Ammann ABP 400 Universal asphalt plant to produce mix for the reconstruction and expansion of the Xinjiang Wukui Expressway, a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative, a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese Government.

The ABP 400 Universal – the first Ammann plant to be purchased by Xingtai Road & Bridge – proved so environmentally friendly on the large-scale project that it helped the company successfully secure another high-volume contract. ‘The Ammann ABP 400 Universal is the largest and most environmentally friendly plant in north-west China,’ commented Xingtai Road & Bridge manager Qingyu Li.

It was the plant’s green features, including a fume-mitigation system, that were key drivers of the purchase. Other environmental benefits of the plant include reduced sound and dust levels and an ability to utilize recyclables.

The focus on sustainable production has become a cornerstone of Xingtai Road & Bridge’s business. ‘It helped us build our brand awareness in the Xingiang region,’ said Mr Li. ‘Furthermore, we won another bid in the south-east coastal area, which is highly regulated for environmental protection. The Ammann plant and its success on the expressway were key to being considered for this project.’

The Xinjiang Wukui Expressway, a crucial link to Kazakhstan and Europe, was a very high-profile project that drew considerable attention. The Xinjiang region is essential in connecting China to its neighbours. It is considered the western gateway to the Middle East and Europe. It is also rich in resources, yet sparsely populated.

Road building has been slow to occur in Xinjiang, but now is moving forward and proving vital to the region. It is a challenging area to pave given its cold winters, which makes it all the more crucial to maximize production the months when the weather is favourable. This led Xingtai Road & Bridge to operate the new plant at or near its 400 tonnes/h capacity during that these periods.

‘Thousands of kilometres of expressway construction need to be built in the short summers,’ said Mr Li. ‘The project required a plant that was consistent and produced mix at the highest possible output. The ABP 400 Universal did this and completed the project ahead of time.’

Quality was also important, and the plant delivered in this respect too. ‘The quality of the mix and the finished product were excellent,’ continued Mr Li. ‘Also, the plant was able to provide mix to other customers, providing even more profitability.’

Xingtai Road & Bridge were so pleased with the performance of the ABP Universal plant that they have since purchased another Ammann plant – an ABA 320 UniBatch model which features a highly efficient heating and drying process that conserves energy and, ultimately, reduces costs.