Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- One of the startup projects funded by the Ministry of Innovative Development on a self-sustaining basis is “Implementation of the technology for producing oil-free building bitumen from gossipole resin”, which is implemented by the private enterprise “Scientific Center for Anti-Corrosion Insulation in the Khorezm Region”.

The role of bitumen in the global construction industry is invaluable. This uneven insulation material is used for waterproofing surface and underground, even underwater structures, building structures, foundations, main pipelines, protection against corrosion and erosion, as well as roofing.

The task that needs to be solved within the framework of the project is to create and widely put into practice the ideal technology for obtaining import-substituting, export-oriented oil-construction bitumen that fully complies with international standards based on gossypol resin-waste oil plants. It is worth noting that gossypol resin is tons of waste from oil and fat plants, and the problem of its widespread use has not yet been resolved.

Within the framework of the project, the technological parameters of production without petroleum bitumen were fully studied using model equipment. Pilot industrial samples were manufactured and determined on the basis of the requirements for physical and mechanical properties, tested in relevant laboratories, applied at various industrial facilities in the country, and at the same time received an international certificate of conformity ISO9001 for new products. Contracts were concluded with local consumers for the supply of products, and the supply of initial products began.

At a time when oil reserves are declining every day, while the quality of bitumen mined does not meet standard requirements, the creation and widespread implementation of scientific and technological foundations for producing oil bitumen based on unconventional new types of raw materials is the solution to the largest problem in the country’s economy.

Thus, for the first time in Uzbekistan, a technology was created without oil bitumen of a new type from gossypol resin, which has no analogues worldwide. Thanks to the implementation of this project, an innovative technology for processing industrial waste of gossypol resin and secondary local resources will be introduced, competitive petroleum bitumen will be put into widespread production and sales will be achieved on world markets.

On the other hand, gossypol resin is currently a waste of oil and fat plants, creating additional environmental problems. As a result of the implementation of the project objectives, bitumen products of an international level will be simultaneously mined, as well as environmental problems associated with this waste will be solved. The basis will be created for the inclusion of oil and fat plants in the number of enterprises without waste.

Pilot industrial samples of petroleum bitumen were presented at international fairs in Asia, Europe, America and the CIS countries.

The scientific volume of production under the project - the cost of bitumen per tonne is about 2,500,000-2,600,000 soums. Today, the selling price on the domestic market is 3,500,000 soums, abroad - 600 US dollars. Since today the extraction of bitumen produced from oil is very high, the selling price on the exchange is about 4,500,000 - 5,000,000 soums per ton.