The government announced an ambitious programme in 2018 to double the length of the country's road network to 200,000km. This kick-started a series of new projects as well as a coordinated programme of upgrading works and prompted many contractors to look for fast and efficient construction technology to support their activities.
Linnhoff in turn led to several TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt mixing plants being commissioned in the country.
The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) is overseeing the extensive schedule of improvements and new infrastructure projects that have prompted the demand for versatile asphalt mixing plants. These TSD 1500 asphalt plants have featured on a host of projects nationwide, providing hot mix asphalt for constructing new roads and upgrading older ones from gravel to asphalt paved roads to meet ERA’s road design standards.
Some of the road projects that feature Linnhoff TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plants include the 59km Ginchi-Shikute Road and the 60 km Shikute-Chulute Road in the Oromia region, valued at around ETB1.7bn (US$40m); the 84km Alem Ketema-Degolo Road Upgrade (part of the Ethiopian Government's Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II), valued at around ETB1.2bn (US$28.6m); the Turmi-Omo Road, which will connect the Omo Kuraz Sugar Project with Turmi, expediting sugar production at the factory and increasing tourist inflow to the Omo Valley. This is valued at around ETB769m (US$18m); the 17-km Maichew-Mehoni Road as well as the 20-km Harar-Jijiga Road.
Lee Yen Meng, CEO of Lintec & Linnhoff Asphalt, said that the TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plant offers a balance of performance, reliability, and return on investment for owners.
“Our customers in Ethiopia are very happy with the performance of the Linnhoff TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plants,” he said. “They deliver excellent performance, high reliability, and require minimal maintenance. More importantly for Ethiopia, they are easy to mobilise thanks to an innovative design that focuses on conformity to standard road transportation regulations. Ethiopia is a landlocked country, so customers really appreciate the versatility, ease, and efficiency of relocating the TSD 1500 from one project site to another.”
Linnhoff TSD 1500 MobileMix asphalt plants have a rated production capacity of 120 tonnes per hour (at 3% moisture content). The built-in chassis is designed to provide fast mobilisation, making it suited for short-term projects or work in remote locations and there are a range of customisation options to support various project requirements.
All units come equipped with a hydraulic power pack self-jacking system, which avoids the need for high-capacity cranes during installation and dismantling. Lintec & Linnhoff says its screen drum technology eliminates the need for a hot elevator and vibrating screens, hence reducing fuel consumption and maintenance, leading to lower overall operating costs.
The company adds that each TSD MobileMix asphalt plant is factory-assembled and undergoes a rigorous testing programme before shipment, to ensure smooth on-site set-up and operation.
