Bashundhara Bitumen Plant, a concern of Bashundhara Oil and Gas Company Ltd, has gone into commercial operation with a view to contributing to the development in communications sector.

Ten renowned dealers were supplied quality bitumen from the plant at Pangaon of Keraniganj in Dhaka Sunday morning.

Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir’s son Ahmed Walid Sobhan inaugurated the operation in his presence. They also visited the plant.

The inauguration has ushered in the marketing of quality bitumen by the private sector for the first time in Bangladesh.

Bashundhara Bitumen has set a target to export 4 lakh tonnes of bitumen by reaching the highest production capacity of 9 lakh tonnes by 2021.

 “Bashundhara Bitumen has successfully started commercial operation today. Bashundhara will bring new and innovative bitumen products in the market. For that, state-of-art technology is being used to produce best bitumen products”, head of the Bashundhara Bitumen Plant Nafis Imtiaz said.

He also said that Bashundhara Group wants to contribute to the development of nation. To be specific, Bashundhara is eager to contribute to the sustainable roads and highways of the country.

It is reported that roads across the country get dilapidated as low quality bitumen is used to construct the roads where Bashundhara Bitumen will play a vital role, he added.

Visiting the plant area, drums of bitumen were seen in bulk amounts ready to be supplied. Each drum has 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, Managing Director’s Secretary Maksudur Rahman, Bashundhara Cement Chief Marketing Officer Khandker Kingshuk Hossain, Head of Department (Sales and Marketing), Bashundhara Bitumen Md Atiqul Islam were also present on the occasion.

It is mentionable that country’s first-ever private sector bitumen plant was launched on February 22, 2020, aiming to cater to the growing demand for bitumen in the country.

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 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.

Accidents and loss of lives are largely caused by dilapidated roads in absence of quality bitumen. Bashundhara bitumen is expected to resolve the problem.