Bitumen Department Technology Section

Based on six core technologies, namely "polymer alloy," "surface activity technology," "chemical analysis," "physical property analysis," "pavement damage simulation," and "adhesive technology," we have added value to straight asphalt produced as bottom fraction of Refinery and conducted research and development of high-performance asphalt. It is used in many situations, such as road pavement such as highways, Asphalt for better landscape for aquariums, parks, castles, and shrines, foundation piles supporting waterfront buildings such as airports and theme parks, and even rooftop waterproofing for buildings. We support the safety and security of social infrastructure with our reliable technology and proposal capabilities, and create memorable products for people who stop by. We create products with these thoughts in mind every day.

We develop high-performance asphalt that extends the life of road pavements by conducting multifaceted analysis using a wide range of evaluation equipment and methods both in Japan and overseas. By blending various additives with the base asphalt material produced at Refinery to add functionality, we apply workability-improved pavements, drainage pavements, and Asphalt for better landscape to highways, bridges, park walkways, etc., supporting road infrastructure in a variety of situations.

When asphalt pavement deteriorates over many years of use, it is cut up and re-laid with new material. The recycling and reuse of the waste pavement material generated during this process is a common issue that is being actively researched around the world. We have developed Asphalt rejuvenator that are suited to the situation in Japan, where the recycling rate is high, and are contributing to a sustainable society. Furthermore, we are working to deepen our physics, chemistry, and analysis technologies, and in cooperation with domestic and international clients, academic societies, and customer, we are researching the proposal of next-generation pavement recycling technologies and their standardization.

By making full use of our unique evaluation method that reproduces the movement of ground subsidence, we have developed an asphalt coating material called SL Compound that reduces the negative friction that foundation piles receive, supporting buildings from below. Furthermore, the asphalt material used in roof waterproof sheets to prevent rainwater from entering has been developed in line with actual construction and service conditions, protecting buildings from above as well. We continue to provide safety and security to our lives, where we are unknowingly surrounded by asphalt materials.