Brazil road repair agreements

RSSIn Brazil the Sao Paulo-based company EcoTech plans to invest US$198 million in road repair technologies by 2016. The firm has been using an advanced repair system since June 2011 as part of an agreement with the city authorities in Recife to improve road surfaces. The spray patch system involves the use of asphalt emulsion mixed to rubber grains which is heated in a specially-equipped truck and sprayed to cover potholes in roads. The technology was acquired from US firm Patch Management and EcoTech now has a contract to repair roads in Sao Bernardo do Campo and is negotiating deals with Brasilia and cities in Santa Catarina. According to EcoTech, 85% of its planned investments will go to acquiring equipment and installing new operational bases. The aim is to increase its fleet of 21 vehicles to 300 trucks by 2016. EcoTech intends to be present in 15 states by the end of 2012 and from there begin expanding in Chile, Colombia and Argentina.