SuperBond PMB introduces automated bonding

23 Feb 2017

Aggregate Industries has announced the launch of a new single Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) Bond Coat that addresses the current manual methods employed across the industry to apply bond coating, joint sealing and overbanding products.

Developed in compliance with all cl 903 of Specification for Highway Works (SHW) requirements, SuperBond features an automated application process that eradicates the potential health and safety issues traditionally linked with hand lacing; reducing the interaction between people, plant and vehicles, and the risk of slips and falls.

SuperBond utilises mechanical spray-bar technology for an automated application. Aggregate Industries has modified its integrated sprayjet pavers and spray tankers to allow them to apply SuperBond directly onto the pavement surface, construction joints and edges ahead of the surface activity – therefore removing the requirement for manual application.

The application of Superbond by spray-tanker removes the need to store and manually handle the traditional multiple bitumen emulsions, and is proven to increase durability and eliminate water ingression.

Paddy Murphy, Managing Director of Contracting Services at Aggregate Industries said: “One of our key objectives at Aggregate Industries is to achieve Zero Harm, ensuring all our employees return home safely every day. We were keen to address the current manual methods employed across the industry to apply bond coating, joint sealing and overbanding products both from an increased safety point of view and for the betterment of the industry.

Our technical experts and senior fitters held collaborative innovation sessions with our supply chain partners to identify a product that could meet all SHW cl.903 requirements and seek a solution to apply a single product mechanically.

Overall, by comparing the traditional two-stage manual operation with automated SuperBond application we have realised an invaluable increase not only in operational safety but application efficiency.”

Visit the Aggregate Industries website