always evolving

Shell Bitumen is always evolving

Bitumen is a key ingredient for major road and building projects across the world. Over time, our products have evolved and adapted to keep pace with changing demands. Here’s a look at how and why we’re always innovating.

Shell Bitumen’s industry firsts

Our first patent

Shell Haven Refinery, Essex
Shell Haven Refinery, Essex

1923

In 1923 we patented Shell Bitumen, and since then we've added more patents to our brand every decade. Here's a look at some of our innovations over the years... 

The Shell Bitumen Handbook

Shell Bitumen handbook from Shell Historical Heritage & Archive
Shell Bitumen handbook from Shell Historical Heritage & Archive

1949

1949 saw the inaugural launch of our handbook which explores the latest technical trends within the industry. It’s now a leading industry publication and into its 6th edition. 

Nomograph invented

Prince Bernhard admiring the Asphalt department’s 2-tonne vibrating machine
Prince Bernhard admiring the Asphalt department’s 2-tonne vibrating machine

1954

In the mid 1950s, C Van der Poel, a researcher at the Shell Laboratory in Amsterdam developed a nomograph that could be used to estimate the stiffness of bitumen. 

A splash of colour

Coloured bitumen in everyday road use
Coloured bitumen in everyday road use

1967

This year saw the development of the world’s first synthetic binder, Colouradd, which was developed from Mexphalte C©. This new binder enabled the first durable, coloured tarmacs to be laid, paving the way for the special road markings and cycle paths we now take for granted.

Hello ShellGrip

Car driving down winding road
Car driving down winding road

1970

ShellGrip© is a high-friction surfacing often used on the approach to roundabouts or hairpin bends. 

Multi-grade binders

Laboratory technician at the Peace River Project
Laboratory technician at the Peace River Project

1984

In the mid-eighties we developed our first multi-grade binder called Multiphalte©. Multiphalte is formulated to greatly enhance the rutting resistance of asphalt whilst maintaining its flexibility and the fatigue characteristics of the mixture.

Welcome Tixophalte

Shell Laboratorium Amsterdam, KSLA
Shell Laboratorium Amsterdam, KSLA

1988

Shell Tixophalte© is a sealant and was a game changer as it’s such a versatile product. It’s now used on everything from large-scale industrial dams to DIY projects, and even works when applied underwater.

Eliminating odours

Traffic on long stretch of highway cutting through scenic landscape
Traffic on long stretch of highway cutting through scenic landscape

2007

In 2007 we pioneered Shell Bitufresh©, our first ever odour-eliminating binder solution, and the first step in our continuing efforts to reduce the nuisance odours that go hand in hand with bitumen production and installation.

Air quality

Road heading into a city landscape
Road heading into a city landscape

2018

In 2018, we were the first major supplier of bitumen to develop a solution that addresses impact on local air quality. Using Shell Bitumen FreshAir© reduced the emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2),nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) by an average of 40% during asphalt production and road paving when compared to conventional bitumen.

Impact through innovation

An illuminated tunnel entrance paved with light coloured Bitumen

Let there be light

In Luxembourg, we worked on a road-tunnel project that helped save energy costs by using our Mexphalte C© LT binder to reflect more light from the road surface, so that less lighting was needed. The low temperature nature of the binder also reduced emissions during the installation which helped to improve working conditions.

A racetrack corner in a snow-covered mountainous landscape

It’s oh so quiet

In Germany we achieved a 5-decibel noise reduction by surfacing with our open pore asphalt (Cariphalte© OPA). OPA is characterised by having interconnected voids in the surface layer. This dampens the sound of vehicles and prevents ‘hissing’ on the road surface, since the air in the tyre tread is distributed via the interconnected voids. 

Keeping the world dry for 70 years

Flintkote

Rooftops in suburban development
Rooftops in suburban development

From kitchens and bathrooms to roofs and bridges, Shell Flintkote© solutions have been advancing waterproofing since the 1950s. Wherever they’re used, the adhesion and flexibility of these bitumen-based products ensure they keep water at bay while coping with everything from harsh conditions to structural movement.

HKZM Bridge

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Hong Kong
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Hong Kong

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, China

To protect the deck of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the world’s longest sea crossing bridge, we applied Shell Flintkote© Bridge Coat, a rubberised bitumen developed for flexibility and toughness even under heavy traffic loads, it also has a self-healing characteristic that ensures long-term waterproofing.

Penang High Court

Penang High Court, Malaysia
Penang High Court, Malaysia

Penang High Court, Malaysia

In Malaysia, we upgraded the 100-year old Penang High Court building using Shell Flintkote© Ultra, a seamless and lap-free waterproofing membrane specially formulated for concrete roof structures. Super durable, it is also certified as an environmentally preferred coating.

Haven Condominium

Haven Condominium, Malaysia
Haven Condominium, Malaysia

Haven Condominium, Malaysia

The Shell Flintkote© range also has innovative products developed for internal wet areas and metal roofs that have been used in major commercial and residential developments, including the Haven Condominium in Malaysia.

Shell Bitumen is discovering solutions

We own more than 1,000 patent series since we began 100 years ago

We own more than 1,000 patent series since we began 100 years ago

Shell Bitumen has four innovation-led sites around the world

Press the marked areas to learn more about each