Vitebsk specialists have developed a composition and manufacturing technology from waste paint for road marking

March 18, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. Specialists of the Vitebsk State Technological University (VSTU) have developed a formulation and technology for producing road marking paint based on industrial waste. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Sergey Kovchur, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Labor Protection and Industrial Ecology at VSTU. The department's staff have developed a new composition of paints for road marking in three colors: white, yellow, and orange. Their formulation uses production waste generated at the Polimir plant and calcined inorganic waste from iron removal stations as substitutes for scarce components. The use of waste reduces the cost of paints by 15-20% and significantly increases their weather resistance. University specialists have also proposed a new technology for producing such paints, which allows for a significant reduction (by 5-7 hours) in the duration of the technological process. This effect is achieved through a new sequence of technological operations. The specialists have protected their developments with patents. Experimental samples of paints in three colors have been obtained, and their compliance with standards is being checked. After qualification tests, the developments may be introduced into production. To master the production of paints from waste, new equipment is not required; their production can be established at enterprises that produce ordinary facade paint. The development by Vitebsk specialists has reduced toxicity and fire hazard. In addition, road organizations will be able to mark roads using such paint immediately with existing machines without additional equipment modernization. The development by VSTU specialists is unique for the country and will help solve the problem of providing road organizations with materials for marking roads with asphalt concrete and cement concrete pavements. Today, due to the shortage of certain components included in the road marking paint, the production volume of this material is insufficient for the country's road economy, noted Sergey Kovchur. For example, the demand of enterprises and organizations for white paint is about 1.8 thousand tons, including 265 tons for the Vitebsk region, where such paint is not produced. The developed paint formulations and their production technology are resource-saving, import-substituting, environmentally safe, and have export potential.-0-