Commissioned in April 2025, the plant is producing around 8,000tonnes/month of asphalt, mainly for use by local contractors, although material is also sent for delivery further afield. The facility is proving highly successful, achieving reliable operation since it was installed.
Paul Kenworthy owns and runs Unbrako and this is the first asphalt plant the firm has acquired, having previously focussed on the parallel concrete pre-casting business. The company also operates three pre-casting facilities in the vicinity under the Unbrako Precast name. Kenworthy said that the purchase of the asphalt plant was part of the firm’s expansion process, setting up a new arm for asphalt production.
The new asphalt plant was supplied to Unbrako through OB Plant, which has the E-MAK agency for the UK and Ireland. And having delivered the first plant and with its operation proving a success, the firm is also looking to sell further units. The new facility was set up and commissioned by technicians from the E-MAK factory in Turkey, with assistance from OB Plant and Unbrako.
This new generation E-MAK batching plant can produce 160tonnes/hour and at the moment, the site is producing around 2000tonnes/week on average. The plant operator meanwhile has long experience of the asphalt market, having been hired from another firm when the site was established.
Unbrako’s plant is to benefit from further modifications also, with an additional hopper and conveyor system being added in the future so it can handle up to 50% RAP. Additional storage will be added to allow the Rap to be kept under cover, reducing moisture ingress. With clients in the local market still wary of using RAP, only fairly low percentages are likely to be used however.
Kenworthy said, “E-MAK were very helpful with suggesting the layout and plant type. They insisted on visiting the site and they worked out what we wanted to do.”
Affordability was a key issue in deciding for the E-MAK plant also. Kenworthy said, “The price was competitive and the quality was good. The technology is very advanced and it’s a very efficient plant.”
“We wouldn’t get this level of specification from competitors at this price. It’s good quality and very solidly built.”
He added that the technical support from E-Mak and OB Plant meant that the installation and commissioning process for the plant went smoothly. And with this first machine having proven a success in operation, Unbrako is now looking to buy a second unit. This is likely to be a larger machine from E-MAK’s latest E series.
Kenworthy said, “We’ll get the second one when we get a suitable site and establish a strong customer base.” He added that he expects the new plant to be up and running during next year however.
Meanwhile OB Plant is keen to deliver more of the E-MAK plants and is in discussions with another potential client at present. Again, this will be for a larger E series plant.
