Bitumen production commences in the Philippines
Shell are the only bitumen suppliers in the country with local manufacturing capability
PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corporation have started production at their new bitumen-blending facility in Batangas, the Philippines. Shell are the only bitumen producers in the Philippines and now have capacity to supply both local and overseas markets in the region.
The ceremonial launch on 3 December 2018 was attended by key road contractors from across the Philippines together with local senior leaders from Shell and Shell Bitumen regional leaders for Asia.
‘Shell is now the only player in the Philippines with a local bitumen manufacturing facility. This facility adds to Shell’s strong regional network and will boost our supply reliability as we anticipate growth in demand for high-quality bitumen not only in the Philippines, but also across the region,’ said Thanes Rajatapiti, Shell Bitumen’s regional general manager for Asia.
Shell say the new local manufacturing capability will help ensure consistent product quality, thereby minimizing the chances of re-work on projects due to off-spec products and translating into improved project output for end users.
Improved supply reliability can also be expected, as local production will help reduce the possibility of stock-outs during high demand, thus minimizing the likelihood of delays on critical projects and giving customers more peace of mind on projects big and small.
Moreover, with the facility now fully operational, Pilipinas Shell can also offer the possibility of price risk management for contractors, helping them to better manage their costs and achieve margin predictability amidst volatility in market prices.
Shell Bitumen have been present in the Philippines for the past 15 years, working on key projects across the archipelago – from airports, to national highways, and other roads that benefit millions of Filipinos daily.
With the recent facility upgrade, Shell say they aim to further improve the quality and relevance of the products and services they offer to Filipino customers for many more years to come.
