Runway safety is the absolute cornerstone of aviation operations. Every time an aircraft touches down, high friction and extreme heat melt a layer of tire rubber onto the asphalt or concrete surface. Over time, these accumulated rubber deposits—combined with faded, outdated runway markings—drastically reduce surface friction, creating significant hazards during landing, especially in wet weather conditions.
Effective airport runway rubber removal and surface friction restoration require specialized engineering solutions. Stil TRAFİK, the flagship brand operating under Stil GROUP, recently tackled this critical challenge at Erbil International Airport in Iraq, deploying state-of-the-art Ultra-High Pressure (UHP) WaterJet technology to restore the runway to international safety standards.
The Challenge: Heavy Rubber Buildup and Marking Removal
Airports face a double-edged operational requirement: they must execute regular airport runway rubber removal from touchdown zones and erase obsolete markings without damaging the underlying pavement structure. Traditional mechanical methods, such as grinding or chemical treatment, often carry severe drawbacks:
Pavement Degradation: Mechanical grinding can weaken the micro-texture and macro-texture of the asphalt or concrete, leading to costly long-term repairs.
Environmental & Health Hazards: Chemical solvents risk contaminating nearby soil and drainage systems, while generating toxic runoff.
Operational Downtime: Slow, labor-intensive cleaning prolongs runway closures, disrupting tight flight schedules.
To overcome these obstacles at Erbil International Airport, Stil TRAFİK implemented a modern, eco-friendly, and non-destructive surface preparation method: UHP WaterJet Cleaning.
Why WaterJet Technology is the Gold Standard for Runway Cleaning
Water blasting utilizes concentrated, high-pressure water streams (operating at pressures up to 2,500+ bar) to instantly shatter rubber buildup and strip away old paint markings.
Here is why industry leaders rely on this method for surface preparation:
Zero Micro-Damage to Pavement: WaterJet systems remove foreign materials precisely at the surface interface, preserving the structural integrity and natural texture of the runway.
Restoration of Friction Coefficients: By stripping away smooth rubber glaze, the process restores critical skid resistance, ensuring optimal braking action for landing aircraft.
Eco-Friendly and Dust-Free: Using only pure water without harsh chemicals, our advanced machinery simultaneously vacuums up water debris and dislodged particles, leaving a clean, dry surface ready for immediate re-marking or operational use.
Stil TRAFİK: Full-Scale Machinery Fleet & Field Applications
All field operations, site applications, and technical execution are carried out directly under the Stil TRAFİK brand. As the leading operational pillar within Stil GROUP, Stil TRAFİK manages an extensive and highly specialized machinery fleet capable of handling complex infrastructure projects worldwide.
While UHP WaterJet units are just one part of our comprehensive surface preparation equipment line, our capabilities span a full array of specialized machinery—from mechanical surface preparation units to high-capacity road and runway marking machinery engineered specifically for demanding airfield applications.
Our experienced field operators completed the Erbil International Airport project with speed and precision, ensuring minimal interruption to air traffic control schedules while adhering strictly to ICAO and FAA surface maintenance guidelines.
Whether executing complex surface cleaning with our specialized fleet or applying our proprietary high-performance LineStil® paints using our advanced application machinery, Stil TRAFİK delivers uncompromised quality across every square meter.
“Our goal is to leave a mark, IN LIFE and ON THE ROADS.”
Looking for reliable, international-standard runway maintenance or road marking solutions?
Contact the experts at Stil GROUP today to learn how Stil TRAFİK’s specialized machinery and professional team can support your next infrastructure project.
