Bashundhara Bitumen starts commercial operations

Bashundhara Bitumen Plant, Bangladesh’s first private-sector bitumen manufacturer, has started commercial operations on Sunday aiming to cater to the growing demand for bitumen in the country. The Bitumen Plant launched its commercial operations by supplying quality bitumen to 10 renowned dealers from its plant at Pangaon of Keraniganj in Dhaka. Bashundhara Group Managing Director (MD) Sayem Sobhan Anvir’s son Ahmed Walid Sobhan inaugurated the commercial operations in his presence. Through this inauguration, bitumen production and marketing in the private sector has entered a new era in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s annual bitumen demand is 500,000 tonnes, which is largely met by exports. Bashundhara Bitumen has set a target to export 400,000 tonnes of bitumen per year by reaching the highest production capacity of 900,000 tonnes by 2021. “Bashundhara Bitumen has successfully launched its commercial operations. Bashundhara will bring new and innovative bitumen products in the market. For that, state-of-art technology is being used to produce the best bitumen products,” said Nafis Imtiaz, head of Bashundhara Bitumen Plant. He also said Bashundhara Group wants to contribute to the development of the nation. “To be specific, Bashundhara is eager to contribute to the development of sustainable roads and highways in the country,” he added. It is reported that roads across the country get dilapidated easily due to the use of low-quality bitumen. This is where Bashundhara Bitumen will play a vital role by supplying quality bitumen, Nafis Imtiaz noted. Visiting the plant, drums of bitumen were seen in bulk volume ready to be supplied. Each drum contains 150kg bitumen and will be supplied across the country. Bashundhara Bitumen has both the bulk and drum supply arrangements. Among others, CEO (Shipping) Nazmul Haque, Bashundhara Group Managing Director’s Secretary Maksudur Rahman, Bashundhara Cement Chief Marketing Officer Khandker Kingshuk Hossain, Head of Department (Sales and Marketing) of Bashundhara Bitumen Md Atiqul Islam were also present on the occasion. Bashundhara Bitumen Plant was launched on 22 February 2020. In addition to producing commonly used penetration grades road bitumen, Bashundhara Bitumen has the facility to produce premium modified grades of bitumen upon demand. The plant has the capacity to produce bitumen grades such as Cutback, Emulsified, Oxidised and Polymer (SBS, Rubber Powder) and customised as per client’s required specifications. Also, usual penetration grades (60-70/80-100) and modified grades can be produced and supplied upon demand from this plant. Drum production and filling facilities along with bulk loading facilities have been constructed to facilitate an efficient distribution system from the plant. Apart from this, fuel oil and some other by-products produced in the plant will be sold or disposed of to appropriate clientele. Bashundhara Group, a leading business conglomerate in the country, has over 20 major concerns located in different areas of the country. It covers diverse activities involving the production of cement, paper and pulp, tissue paper, LPG bottling and distribution, Energy, and a trading company, among others.

SOURCE : Daily Sun