A continuous polymer modification workshop at the Kazakhbitum LLP petroleum product processing plant has been put into operation in Tolebiy district. The plant, located on the territory of the Kielitas rural district, is capable of producing more than 200 thousand tons of products per year, Business Kazakhstan reports.

The project cost is 550 million tenge. The workshop produces a special mixture used for road repair work. Akim of Turkestan region Darkhan Satybaldy paid a working visit to Tolebiy district and took part in the opening ceremony of a new production facility.

- In his Message, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed to provide the business sector with the appropriate infrastructure. Continuous work is underway in this area in the region. According to the program for creating 100 permanent jobs per 10,000 people, it is planned to create more than 10,000 new jobs. In addition, the Head of State stressed that special attention should be paid to the construction and quality of roads. He was instructed to improve at least 95 percent of the roads in the country by 2025. We still have a shortage of bitumen. We are making efforts to solve this problem by activating the existing plant in the Tolebi district. The polymer modification workshop, launched today, is of great importance. A special mixture used for road repair work is produced here. Let there be more such enterprises," Darkhan Satybaldy said.

Bitumen PPB (Polymer bitumen binder) is a material modified by the addition of a polymer such as SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) and plasticizers. Currently, polymer-modified bitumen is widely used in various road works. One of the features of the product is its tendency to any temperature of the weather. Bitumen preserves the smoothness of the roadway and protects it from deformations. Asphalt concrete mix using polymer bitumen protects the road from wear.

During the working visit, the akim of the region visited Balmuzdak LLP in Pervomaisky rural district. The ice cream shop has been operating since 1998. The company produces about 3,000 tons of ice cream, 15 tons of dumplings, 400 tons of chocolate and glaze per year. Almost 200 people are provided with permanent jobs. The management plans to install Austrian equipment next year (worth 1 million 300 thousand euros).