Author: Team AICL

Birth of Agarwal Industrial Corporation Ltd 

India in 1995 was a country in need of a transportation revolution. The roads were sparse and the connectivity was poor, making travel and transportation a challenging task.

This situation was causing a significant strain on the economy, constraining the movement of goods and people, and hindering progress in several sectors. 

 It was then that AICL – Agarwal Industrial Corporation Ltd  was founded with a mission to pave the way for a better India. With a vision of a connected and prosperous nation, AICL set out to change the landscape of the country. Their efforts were soon rewarded as they gained the trust and confidence of their customers in the infrastructure industry. 

From its inception, AICL was committed to providing high-quality bitumen solutions that would enable the country to achieve its infrastructure potential. The company’s approach was to focus on the needs of its customers, understanding their requirements and providing customised solutions that would meet their specific needs. This customer-centric approach helped AICL build a strong reputation in the industry, and it soon gained the trust and confidence of its customers.

How AICL Paved Its Way To Become an Industry Leader

Within a year of their inception, AICL transformed into a Public Limited Company, solidifying their position as an industry leader. 

The year 2002 unfolded the opportunity for AICL to venture into Bitumen manufacturing and processing business.

 It opened offices at 11 places across India, including 6 bitumen manufacturing plants, 5 bulk storage facilities and provision for the import of bulk bitumen at 6 port locations.

 It also set up in-house Ashok Leyland’s authorised service centres in Mumbai, for the maintenance of tankers  during this period.

Throughout their journey, AICL has remained committed to their mission of serving the country and building lasting relationships with their customers. Today, AICL is recognized as a trailblazer in the bitumen and infrastructure transportation industry, and their legacy of excellence continues to inspire a better India.

Growth and Expansion of Agarwal Industrial Corporation Ltd

After gaining a position in the stock exchange,  AICL has consistently stretched out its operations and flourished across India expanding its presence in the Middle East starting with the UAE. 

India’s long-term energy consumption needs encouraged AICL to adapt renewable wind-energy sources, setting up windmills across the state of Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

With 12 offices and 7 factories in operation, AICL continues to grow and promises to keep paving the way forward.

 Agarwal Industrial Corporation Ltd  is a company that has made its mark in the infrastructure industry over the years. They’ve continued to set new benchmarks and create considerable progress, both in their organisation and in India as a whole. 

AICL has recently ranked 198 in the Fortune India The Next 500 list of 2023. AICL has showcased its outstanding capabilities and achieved a momentous milestone, filling the company with pride

As AICL looks to the future, it remains dedicated to providing high-quality products and services, fostering a culture of innovation, and delivering customized solutions to its clients’ needs.

When it comes to road construction, bitumen is a popular and essential material used for paving roads and highways. Traditionally, bitumen has been used in its pure form, but in recent years, bitumen emulsions have emerged as a more versatile and efficient alternative.

What are Bitumen Emulsions?

Bitumen emulsion is a widely used mixture of bitumen and water that is stabilised with an emulsifying agent. It has emerged as a versatile and efficient alternative to traditional bitumen in road construction, offering several advantages such as improved workability, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced performance in a wide range of weather conditions.

Bitumen emulsions gained popularity in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s, and the first bitumen emulsion plant was established in the United States in 1926. However, it was not until the 1950s that the use of bitumen emulsion became more widespread, particularly in North America. Today, bitumen emulsion is used in road construction throughout the world and has become a key component of modern road-building techniques.

Over the years, advancements in technology and chemistry have improved the quality of bitumen emulsions and expanded their applications. Today, bitumen emulsions are used not only in road construction but also in a wide range of other industries, including roofing, waterproofing, and mining.

Types of Bitumen Emulsion

Bitumen emulsions can be classified based on different factors such as setting time and surface charge. Here’s an overview of the different types of bitumen emulsions:

Based on Setting Time

Bitumen emulsions are categorised based on their setting time, which refers to the amount of time it takes for the emulsion to break and for the asphalt to set. This is an important factor in determining the appropriate emulsion to use in a particular application. Here’s a closer look at each of the three categories of bitumen emulsions based on their setting time:

• Rapid-Setting Bitumen Emulsions: As the name suggests, rapid-setting bitumen emulsions have a fast setting time, typically in the range of a few minutes to an hour. These emulsions are ideal for surface treatments and patching, as they can quickly and efficiently seal cracks and potholes. Rapid-setting emulsions are commonly used in urban areas where traffic volume is high, and quick repairs are needed to maintain road safety.

• Medium-Setting Bitumen Emulsions: Medium-setting bitumen emulsions have a longer setting time than rapid-setting emulsions, typically in the range of one to three hours. These emulsions are used for fog seals and base stabilisation. Fog seals are a type of surface treatment that is used to seal and protect an existing pavement surface, while base stabilisation is used to improve the strength and durability of the base layer of the pavement. Medium-setting emulsions are also used for tack coats, which are used to bond an existing pavement surface to a new layer of asphalt.

• Slow-Setting Bitumen Emulsions: Slow-setting bitumen emulsions have the longest setting time of the three categories, typically in the range of four to six hours. These emulsions are used for slurry seals, micro-surfacing, and chip seals. Slurry seals are used to seal and protect existing pavements, while micro-surfacing is a type of surface treatment used to improve the texture and skid resistance of the pavement surface. Chip seals are used to seal and protect the pavement surface and are commonly used on rural roads and highways.

Based on Surface Charge

Bitumen emulsions can also be classified based on their surface charge, which plays an important role in determining the appropriate emulsion for a specific application. Here’s a closer look at the three categories of bitumen emulsions based on their surface charge:

• Anionic Bitumen Emulsions: Anionic emulsions have a negatively charged surface and are commonly used in pavement construction. These emulsions are known for their ability to bond well with acidic aggregates, making them ideal for use in areas where the soil and aggregates have high natural acidity. Anionic emulsions are also used for surface treatments and can be applied to existing pavements to protect them from further damage.

• Cationic Bitumen Emulsions: Cationic emulsions have a positively charged surface and are commonly used in applications such as soil stabilization, dust control, and the production of asphalt emulsion mixes. These emulsions are known for their ability to bond well with alkaline aggregates and can be used in areas where the soil and aggregates have high natural alkalinity. Cationic emulsions are also used for tack coats, which are used to bond an existing pavement surface to a new layer of asphalt.

• Non-Ionic Bitumen Emulsions: Non-ionic emulsions have no charge and are mainly used for industrial applications such as adhesives and coatings. These emulsions do not bond well with aggregates and are not suitable for use in pavement construction or surface treatments.

What are the advantages of bitumen road emulsions?

The importance of bitumen emulsion in road construction lies in its ability to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the construction process. Here are a few reasons why bitumen emulsion is an important material for road construction:

1. Improved workability: Bitumen emulsion is easier to handle and apply than traditional bitumen, making it more efficient to use. It can be applied at lower temperatures and has a lower viscosity, which reduces the risk of delays in the construction process.

2. Reduced environmental impact: Bitumen emulsion is water-based and emits fewer harmful fumes and gases during the application, making it a more sustainable choice for road construction. Its production also requires less energy, which further reduces its environmental impact.

3. Enhanced performance: Bitumen emulsion is more resistant to water damage and can be applied more easily in colder temperatures, making it a more versatile and reliable material for road construction.

4. Safer for workers: Bitumen emulsion does not require heating or other high-temperature processes during the application, which reduces the risk of accidents and injuries for workers.

5. Lower overall cost: Bitumen emulsion is more cost-effective to produce, transport, and apply than traditional bitumen, which can help reduce the overall cost of road construction projects.

Overall, the importance of bitumen emulsion in road construction is that it offers a more efficient, sustainable, and safe alternative to traditional bitumen, while also delivering better performance and a lower overall cost.

Takeaway

Bitumen emulsions have been extensively used by road developers in both India and various parts of the world. They make the mixing and construction of roads smoother, faster, simpler and less expensive as compared to bituminous mixtures.

 To sum up we conclude that Bitumen Emulsions are a viable material for road building which solves all the problems facing traditional bitumen and can meet the demand of consumers in a better way.

What is Bitumen?

Bitumen is a dark, sticky substance that is derived from crude oil. It is a material that has been used for thousands of years in various forms, but has become an essential component in the infrastructure & construction industry, specifically in the building of roads and other infrastructure projects.

One of the key properties of bitumen is its ability to bind together different materials, making it an ideal binder for asphalt concrete, which is used to construct roads, bridges, and other surfaces that need to withstand heavy traffic

What is the use of Bitumen?

Approximately, 95% of all roads in the world are paved with asphalt.

However, bitumen isn’t just limited to roads and bridges, it also has other uses such as waterproofing, insulation, and as a sealant for dams and other structures. It is also a raw material in the production of various chemicals such as solvents, lubricants, and even paints.

One of the most striking statistics about bitumen is its global consumption. According to the Bitumen World, the world’s consumption of bitumen is estimated to be around 150 million metric tons per year.

Despite the fact that bitumen is a non-renewable resource, the industry is growing rapidly. The global bitumen market is forecasted to reach a staggering $110 billion by 2026, with a projected growth rate of 5%.

Indian infrastructure milestones and Bitumen

India’s construction industry is a tapestry of ancient architectural marvels and modern-day feats of engineering. From the grandeur of the Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century, to the towering height of the Statue of Unity, completed in 2018, India has a long history of construction excellence.

In the current scenario, India is focusing on infrastructure development, with the government announcing several ambitious projects such as the construction of 100 smart cities, the development of industrial corridors, and the construction of new airports and seaports. This is expected to boost the construction industry, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2020-2025.

Moreover,  bitumen plays a vital role towards planning and execution of road construction projects in India. India has made significant progress in the realm of Bitumen Emulsion infrastructure, resulting in a surge of pride among citizens and growth in the number of manufacturers in the industry.

India has demonstrated its capability in creating a diverse range of infrastructure projects, from eco-friendly cities to massive freeways and tunnels. Some of them are Chenab Bridge, Yamuna Expressway, etc.

However, the infrastructure industry in India is not without its challenges. Shortage of skilled labour, delays in project approvals and land acquisition, and difficulties in obtaining financing are some of the hurdles that the industry is facing.

Role of Bitumen in India’s Future

Bitumen plays an important role in India’s economic growth and development. It helps to improve transportation infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion by improving road quality through better road surfaces. The use of bitumen reduces the cost of maintenance significantly by increasing durability and reducing breakages during use

The market for bitumen in India, valued at $2.8 billion in 2018, is expected to grow to $3.6 billion by 2026 with a CAGR of 2.8% from 2019 to 2026

The market size of bitumen is predicted to increase massively in the coming years due to various government initiatives and construction projects.

The projects include expenditure for development of National Highways, including projects relating to expressways, two-laning of highways, under the National Highways Development Project,development of Vijayawada-Ranchi road, six-laning of crowded stretches of the Golden Quadrilateral, a special program for the development of road connectivity in Naxal affected areas.

Moreover, bitumen adhesive is widely used in the construction industry for roofing because of its physical properties, including toughness, flexibility, and good UV resistance, making it an ideal adhesive for this purpose.

Hence, rapid urbanisation and government programs like “Housing for All” which focuses on building homes for urban dwellers, is likely to propel the growth of the bitumen market in the country.

In 2022, the budget for road construction witnessed a massive increase from INR 33,414 crores (Financial Year 2015) to INR 1,83,101 crores (Financial Year 2022).

According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Speed and Scale of progress, India is accelerating towards the goal of constructing 100 km of roads per day over the next two years.

Even though the pace of road construction was slowed during the pandemic, it has picked up pace during 2021-22.

‘My ministry and my team is working hard, and even during COVID-19 pandemic time, our (highway) construction rate was 38 km per day and my ambition is to take it up to 60 km per day, it is a target’.– Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari

Though the goal of constructing 60 km per day did not reach in 2022-23, there is still a considerable chance of achieving it this year (2023-24).

Takeaway: 

In conclusion, bitumen plays a crucial role in the construction industry and is a building block for India’s economic growth in 2023.

With the increasing demand for housing and infrastructure development, the bitumen market is expected to continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.