Azerbaijan seeks investor to build bitumen materials plant at cost of up to $15 mln

BAKU. April 30 (Interfax) - The government of Azerbaijan is looking for an investor to build a plant to produce bitumen materials for road construction, waterproofing and industrial applications.

The amount of investment needed is estimated at $10 million-$15 million, government materials show. The plant would be built on a 2-hectare site and employ about 30 people.

The plant is expected to have annual production capacity of more than 85,000 tonnes, including 30,000 tonnes of asphalt primer, 10,000 tonnes of polymer-bitumen binders, 40,000 tonnes of bitumen emulsion and 5 million square meters of roll membrane.

The plant will use primarily local raw materials, as most of the necessary components, including bitumen feedstock, solvents, emulsifiers, additives, polymers and fillers can be produced in Azerbaijan. The plant's products will be sold domestically and exported.

Investors willing to carry out the project at an existing industrial park in the country will be eligible for tax breaks for ten years, including a zero customs duty on imported equipment and hardware, zero tax rates on profit, property and land, and a value-added tax exemption for imported process equipment.

The project is part of the government strategy to develop industry and infrastructure.