Blastex Group - Shot-Blasting for Runway and Surface Maintenance

Blastex Group specializes in technologies concerned with the maintenance of surfaces such as asphalt, concrete and steel, as well as natural stones like marble, granite, etc. Its revolutionary shot-blasting technique allows vehicles to run in much safer conditions, and airplanes to land on runways totally free of rubber deposits.

Runway and apron rubber-removal

Blastex Group's equipment for rubber-removal from airport runways and aprons drastically reduces the risk of aquaplaning on airports' slippery touchdown areas by increasing the SRV and by restoring the micro as well as the macro-surface's roughness.

Between 2002 and 2006, Blastex Group took over two companies with more than 50 years of experience in the removal of rubber deposits from all types of surfaces. Such strategic acquisitions of expertise have allowed it to research and develop its cutting-edge rubber-removal equipment, the Blastex 440.

Runway and apron rubber-removal lorry

The Blastex 440 is the quickest, most cost-effective and environmentally friendly runway and apron rubber-removal equipment worldwide. A lorry with three reinforced axles, 6 x 2, it has a gearbox with 16 speeds and hydrostatic transmission during work. The trailer has two axles steering during the working phase. It is validated according to EEC regulations.

Other features of this runway and apron rubber-removal lorry include:

• Transfer speed on road: 84 + 2 + 2km/h
• Auxiliary motors: 1 x IVECO AIFO 515 CV
• Working width: 2,000mm
• Working speed: 0.06km/h-5km/h
• Working capacity: 2,500m²/h -3,500m²/h
• Suction capacity: 20,000 m³/h
• Tank capacity: 4m³
• Total weight: 44,000kg

Blastex 440 is the only technology able to perfectly re-establish asphalt/concrete-roughness.

Steel-ball reclaiming unit

A magnet on a trailer has been specially developed to reclaim steel balls on the treated surface after the shot-blasting process. The magnetic support-unit (patented by Blastex Group) ensures a surface completely free from steel balls, especially for runways.

The magnetic support-unit's trailer can be easily carried by a conventional van with a towing capability of 2,000kg or 4,000lb. The lifting process is carried out by an electric unit powered by the van's 12V battery.

Asphalt replacement and recycling system

The PAVIREC® on-site asphalt recycling and replacement system provides economic, social and environmental benefits: an absence of waste materials to be disposed of, limited necessity for quarry aggregates and oil-derived products, favorable energy balance and lower impact on traffic are other advantages.

Removal of road markings / airport central lines

Other services Blastex provides are the removal of thermoplastic and industrial road markings, and the removal of airports' central lines.