GCP in harmony with the Environment… towards a sustainable path

Mexican Company Opens Most Advanced Asphalt Sustainability Operation in Mexico

Business to Utilise Ammann Advanced Recycling Plant and Shredder

Road repair and resurfacing generates millions of tonnes of what many consider waste. It’s not just the materials that are left behind, but the energy that was used to create them and the emissions that resulted during production.

Introducing sustainable practices into existing processes can be a challenge. We live in a world where something becomes obsolete as soon as it is produced. Many people and businesses give up on continuous improvement because of the challenges it brings.

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is one of these challenges. Yet the sustainable opportunities that result are significant. Using RAP reduces the amount of new materials needed by about 55%. Emissions are dramatically lowered, too.

The importance of transforming construction processes becomes more evident every day. This transformation is essential to the needs of the planet. There must be harmony between the people and the world around us.

Given this background, the board of directors of Grupo Constructor Pirámide (GCP), a Mexican company with more than 50 years of experience in the construction sector, acquired an Ammann ABP 280 Universal Asphalt-Mixing Plant. The plant is unique in Latin America because of its ability to process large quantities of RAP with the help of its RAH60 dryer. The objective was clear: to technologically transform the asphalt-mixing production process.

GCP has always been committed to improving the quality of life in Mexico. This promise is delivered through the construction of high-quality infrastructure and the use of cutting-edge construction processes. Innovative equipment and highly trained workers are essential, too.

“We are convinced that we are taking the right path to modernize and transform the production of asphalt mix through innovation,” said Mario Serrano García, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCP. “We want the public and private sectors to promote and use sustainable asphalt mixes that are produced with new processes and technology that seeks harmony with the environment and the urban surroundings.”

The Board of Directors strives to maintain the legacy and visionary spirit of the founders, Don Felipe Serrano and Herminia García. They understood the importance of innovative technologies in the production of high-quality asphalt in Mexico.

This was confirmed by Ricardo Galvis, Regional Manager at Ammann: “The Grupo Constructor Pirámide is a proudly Mexican company, with certified personnel aligned with its institutional values of complying with the highest quality standards and committed to sustainability in its production processes and environment,” he said.

Its business values, “Vision, Passion, Honesty and Responsibility,” have guided GCP in adopting a production process aligned with the philosophy and approach of the circular economy.

“This is clearly reflected by the purchase of a RAP shredder as well as the asphalt plant,” Galvis said. The shredder, an Ammann RSS 120-M, optimizes the reuse of the material.

“It reduces waste and ensures the quality and characteristics of the material,” Galvis said. “This is combined with the acquisition of a very modern and complete laboratory that is capable of carrying out all the necessary tests to guarantee the quality of their product.”

GCP, daring to revolutionize processes, ventures to restructure the guidelines of the linear economy. It is implementing new sustainable practices that involve a regenerative system.

“The Grupo Constructor Pirámide is convinced of elevating its processes and being a pioneer in reduction and reuse in the production processes of asphalt mixing, in line with 3R rule: reduce, recycle and reuse,” Galvis said.

This sustainable approach will bring significant benefits through lower energy consumption and reduced use of natural resources, including virgin aggregate and the associated quarrying.

Emissions are another key area of focus. With new technologies, it is possible to reduce the emission of CO₂, gases and particulates that impact the atmosphere.

“Our actions and guidelines revolve around sustainability, which is why we started the operation of the Ammann ABP 280 Universal plant,” said Mr. Serrano.

The plant is located in the municipality of Atizapán de Zaragoza. It will use renewable solar energy and collect rainwater, which will be processed at a new treatment center. “This will make us the most sustainable asphalt plant in Mexico State,” said Mr. Serrano.

GCP chose Ammann because the two companies have aligned values regarding technology and the important role innovation plays in sustainability. The purchase was made through Maquinter, the local Ammann distributor.

“Ammann has provided technical support at every stage,” Mr. Serrano said. “We are sure that any doubts that may arise, they will be willing to clarify. We all learn from each other.”

Gilvan Pereira, Managing Director of Ammann do Brasil, stated: “When GCP approached Ammann, they were looking for the best technology available on the market in terms of quality in asphalt mixing plants and reuse of milled asphalt. They came to the right place.”

Ammann’s high recycling technology works by pre-heating the recycled material before adding it to the mixer.

“In the case of this specific plant, a parallel flow drying drum exclusively for the RAP, located in the upper part of the equipment, gently heats high percentages of reused material,” Gilvan said. “This is done without the bitumen contained in the RAP losing its binding properties. The process reduces the need to overheat the virgin aggregate, complying with the existing asphalt mix production regulations.”

The plant provides the production that GCP needs, despite being installed 2,200 meters above sea level. “The equipment has the capacity to produce up to 310 tons per hour, satisfying the company’s demand and following the needs of adding high percentages of RAP to the mix,” Gilvan added.

As an ambassador of environmental awareness, the board of GCP recognizes that the challenges of this major project are still being identified. Still, the company remains confident there will be a favorable response from its customers when they realize that the mix can utilize varied percentages of RAP while retaining high quality. After the useful life of the asphalt pavement, most of the materials that comprise it maintain their physical and mechanical properties within an acceptable range for reuse.

“Small and big actions produce important changes,” Mr. Serrano concluded. “Let’s work together for a sustainable future. At GCP, we will continue our path to promote RAP as a by-product for the execution of sustainable infrastructure projects. Together we will continue ‘Building the Roads of Mexico’ using extremely durable, sustainable pavements. We no doubt will leave a legacy for future generations.”