TNK Bitumen Performance, a vertically integrated oil company in Russia, and Kraton Performance Polymers, a global producer of engineered polymers and styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), have declared the successful pavement of the new Moscow Raceway, the first-ever multifunctional Russian circuit.
Moscow Raceway
The new track is located 77 km from Moscow in the Novorizhsky Highway. The Raceway meets the highest standards of international circuits and has been qualified for FIA grade 1T. Marek Kowalczyk, Kraton’s Sales Manager Central Eastern Europe, stated that researchers from Kraton worked together with the TNK Bitumen scientists to develop the unique TNK Alfabit binder by using Kraton D1192 polymer. Binder is a key element in construction of asphalt roadways and is also an important component in durability and hence ensures safety of cars.
Kraton D1192 material provides lower modified asphalt viscosity and improved polymer compatibility. In addition, it has excellent resistance to aging and high durability which lead to high pavement quality. Thus, it is believed that the pavement will withstand Moscow's climate of hot summers and harsh winters, noted Kowalczyk.
Kraton D1192 polymer makes asphalt highly elastic, which prevents grooves in the summer and cracks in the winter. The material also improves mechanical pavement properties for both road coverings and airport runways.
When compared to ordinary binder, TNK Alfabit polymer-modified bitumen formulation enhances the service life of a roadway in the range of 2 to 10 years without any interim repair.
Moscow Raceway will be officially opened on July 15, 2012.