Machinery & Plant Sourcing · Asphalt Plants

Polymer modified bitumen (PMB) plant

Plants that blend SBS, SBR or EVA polymer into hot bitumen with a high-shear mill and maturation tanks, for heavy-traffic and hot-climate pavements.

Polymers: SBS, SBR, EVA
Core unit: High-shear mill
Process: Dosing, milling, maturation
Use: Heavy traffic, airports, hot climates

Indicative figures based on manufacturer data. Capacity and specification are confirmed in each offer.

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What is a PMB plant?

A polymer modified bitumen (PMB) plant mixes a polymer, most often SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene), into hot bitumen and disperses it with a high-shear mill. The modified binder then matures in agitated tanks until the polymer has fully swollen and the product is uniform. Road PMB typically contains a few percent polymer by weight.

PMB improves resistance to rutting at high temperatures and to cracking at low temperatures, and gives better elastic recovery. It is specified for highways with heavy traffic, airports, bus lanes, bridge decks and hot climates.

Which polymers are used?

SBS is the most common elastomer for paving binders. SBR is often used in emulsions, and EVA, a plastomer, adds stiffness. The plant’s dosing and milling system is chosen for the polymer and form (powder, crumb or pellets) you plan to use.

Production process

How PMB is produced

Step 01

Heat the base bitumen

Base bitumen is heated in a feed tank to processing temperature.

Step 02

Dose the polymer

Polymer is weighed and fed into a pre-mixing tank with the hot bitumen.

Step 03

High-shear milling

The mill breaks the polymer into fine particles and disperses it through the bitumen.

Step 04

Maturation

The blend is held in agitated tanks until the polymer has swollen and the binder is homogeneous.

Step 05

Storage and dispatch

Finished PMB is stored with agitation and tested before dispatch to the asphalt plant.

Key components

Main units

Polymer feeding system

Big-bag station, screw conveyor and weigh hopper.

Pre-mixing tank

Heated tank with agitator for wetting the polymer.

High-shear mill

Rotor-stator mill for fine dispersion.

Maturation tanks

Insulated, heated tanks with agitators.

Thermal oil heater

Provides process heat for tanks and lines.

Control system

Ratio, temperature and batch records.

Technical data

Specifications

Typical values from manufacturer documentation. Final figures are confirmed in the manufacturer's offer for your project.

Polymers	SBS, SBR, EVA (powder, crumb or pellet)
Mill	High-shear rotor-stator
Operation	Batch or continuous
Heating	Thermal oil
Capacity	Selected to asphalt output; confirmed per offer

Polymer content and process temperatures follow the binder specification and the polymer supplier's guidance.

Who it's for

Built for these buyers

Asphalt producers

Make modified binder for highway and airport contracts.

Bitumen suppliers

Offer PMB grades to local contractors.

FAQ

Questions buyers ask

What is polymer modified bitumen?

It is bitumen with an added polymer, usually SBS, that makes the binder more elastic and more resistant to rutting and cracking than straight-run bitumen.

Why use PMB instead of normal bitumen?

PMB keeps its strength at high pavement temperatures and stays flexible at low temperatures, so pavements under heavy traffic or in hot climates last longer.

How much SBS is added to bitumen?

Paving PMB usually contains a few percent polymer by weight. The exact dosage is set by the target grade and the base bitumen.

Why does PMB need a maturation tank?

Polymer particles need time at temperature to swell and bond with the bitumen. Agitated maturation tanks complete this and keep the binder uniform until use.

Can PMB be used in any asphalt plant?

Yes, but PMB is more viscous, so tanks, pumps and lines must be able to handle the higher working temperature and viscosity.