Asphalt diploma for Nynas employee

Company praises laboratory manager’s achievement in gaining Diploma in Asphalt Technology

BITUMEN specialists Nynas have applauded the efforts of laboratory manager Steve Armstrong (pictured), who successfully completed a Diploma in Asphalt Technology this spring.

Mr Armstrong, who manages the company’s quality-control department at Eastham, achieved the qualification through the University of Derby and the Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) after three years of study.

He is the first person at Nynas to sit the examination and, according to the company, could be the first of many.

‘I am delighted to have completed the diploma which both recognizes my existing asphalt engineering capabilities and has taught me more about plant, contract law and business management,’ said Mr Armstrong.

‘My role is to make sure that the special products we produce, such as polymer-modified binders and emulsions used in surface dressings, are suitable for distribution and meet both the technical specifications and high standards expected of the company.’

Mr Armstrong is set to be congratulated for his achievement at the IAT’s national conference on 27 June.

Nynas UK’s technical manager, Ian Lancaster, said Steve should be proud of what he has achieved: ‘His success demonstrates our commitment, as a company, that our staff become as well qualified as possible. Steve is the first to achieve this diploma but he probably won’t be the last.

‘We have a ring-fenced budget for training and professional development which we are making full use of. It is important for Nynas and its employees to fully understand asphalt at every level; from mixing and paving to end performance, so we can design the right binder to suit a particular application,’ said Mr Lancaster.