HOUSTON, Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA), a leading global innovator and producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), and Rosneft, the leader of Russia’s petroleum industry and the world’s largest publicly traded petroleum company, today announced it completed the successful pavement of the highly anticipated, newest Formula One race circuit, the Sochi Autodrom. Hosting the Sochi’s first ever Formula One Grand Prix on October 12, 2014, the Autodrom, a 5.853-kilometre circuit, is located within the city’s Olympic Park.

The polymer modified bituminous binder Alfabit, produced by Rosneft, was selected as a key component for the top layer of the asphalt for the Sochi raceway. Selecting the right pavement binder is a major factor in asphalt road construction, especially under the strict Formula One raceway requirements. the enormous distress put forth onto a Formula One track requires a binder that possesses a very high shear strength. Krato’ D1192 was selected by Rosneft to produce the Alfabit binder that was used in the Sochi track.

Kraton ‘ D1192 has an increased content of vinyl groups in the polybutadiene chain of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) molecules that delivers an excellent balance of properties, such as age and degradation resistance. Compared to conventional SBS polymers, D1192 allows for a longer lifetime for asphalt mix pavements. By adding Kraton D1192 to Rosneft’s Alfabit asphalt binder, the binder becomes stronger, less Resistant to the wear and tear that is produced during a Formula One race. Being more Resistant to degradation, as well as inclement weather, enables the raceway to withstand races for years to come.

“Our team in AMSterdam laboratory worked closely with Rosneft specialists to develop the best possible Alfabit binder – a technologically advanced high quality solution for pavement construction,” said Marek Kowalczyk, Kraton’s Eastern European Sales Manager. “Formula One required top of class products and suppliers. Rosneft is one the largest and technically advanced binder producer in Russia, and Kraton has always been a leader in SBS polymer industry and applications. Both names guarantee a high quality product,” concluded Kowalczyk.