SAMI Bitumen Technologies’ is celebrating the opening of its new technical centre, which promises to provide a boost for the research and development of nationally significant innovations for the road construction and maintenance sector.

For SAMI Bitumen Technologies, the development of innovative bitumen additives and performance enhancers has long relied on a vast production and design network.

With key facilities and presence across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, SAMI’s network continues to grow, as does its impact on the industry.

Now the business is further strengthening its domestic ties, with a brand-new technical centre set to re-announce its status as one of the largest independent suppliers of bitumen and bitumen additives in Australia.

The decision to establish a new technical centre was made around October 2024, after SAMI identified that its old Camellia Plant lab in New South Wales was no longer sufficient for current and future needs.

Factors, such as a lack of space for new equipment and optimised workflows, meant different disciplines were often interfering during day-to-day operations. Hamidreza Sahebzamani, R&D and Technical Support Manager – SAMI Bitumen Technologies explains.

“The last facility was a very old building which was developed as was necessary at the time,” he says. “There came a point where it was no longer sufficient for us and for future development, it was also near our production plant as well.

“What we wanted was a more streamlined site, with better workflows, in an inclusive environment.”

The new technical centre is an independent, purpose-built facility serving as the main hub for SAMI’s research, development, and quality control activities.

Across about 700 square metres, the centre consists of two floors. The first contains multiple laboratory sections for asphalt, binder, emulsion, and cold mix testing. The second-floor houses boardrooms, meeting and training rooms for seminars and industry events, opening the door for collaboration with industry partners, academic institutions, and other global labs.

Importantly, the new facility separates research and development from production. Previously, both research and development, and quality control often overlapped or interfered with daily production activities. As Lijin Kuriachan, Quality Control and Process Manager – SAMI Bitumen Technologies explains.

“This facility is designed particularly around our flow of work. Disciplines are segregated into regions and specific locations and separate labs,” he says. “So, the binder lab has its own flow, asphalt has its own flow. And just like our previous facility, health and safety are enhanced in the work environment.”