Panel SA: Alert for lack of asphalt may favor concrete road

The warning raised by the Ministry of Transport last week, that there may be a lack of asphalt, should encourage the adoption of concrete in road paving, a model that has low penetration in Brazil.

The federal government has studies to analyze the feasibility of adoption, and the sector claims that it is in a position to meet the need.

“The cement industry has full capacity to meet the demands of the product. In addition to advantages linked to environmental sustainability, concrete pavement has a significantly better cost and durability than asphalt”, says Paulo Camillo Penna, president of ABCP (Brazilian Association of Portland Cement, which brings together names like Votorantim, LafargeHolcim, Intercement and others).

In a meeting with Minister Renan Filho, last week, to discuss the efforts to maintain the main corridors for the flow of the crop, the concern with the asphalt distribution market was raised after the announcement of an investment of R$ 1.7 billion made by the Lula government for road works in the plan of the first hundred days of the administration.

Penna claims that the sector maintains a dialogue with the DNIT (National Department of Transport Infrastructure) and DERs (road departments) in several states. He also says that he intends to discuss the matter with the Ministry of Industry. According to him, studies point to advantages in reducing heat islands, lighting reflection, braking safety and tire wear.

“The rigid pavement [concreto] has been increasingly adopted, not only on highways but also on urban roads across the country. It is worth highlighting the paving programs in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and the Federal District, among others”, says Penna.

In the asphalt market, companies also show their intention to prepare to meet the supply with the help of imports, but they point out that it is necessary to have a more detailed projection of the necessary volume. The Abimpa (association of importers of the input) claims that the War in Ukraine made freight more expensive, making the import flow from Russia unfeasible, but there are efforts to open other channels.

The ministry claims that it is also working with the Itamaraty to try to reactivate partnerships with suppliers, such as Venezuela and other oil-producing countries, to expand supply in the domestic market.

The concern with the asphalt should be on the agenda of a meeting between Minister Renan Filho and the president of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, in the coming days.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins It is Diego Felix