The Faculty of Earth Sciences Engineering (FICT) of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) conducted a technical visit on February 24, 2026, to the IMPTEK Industrial Plant, located on Highway E35 Km 14, El Inga sector, Pichincha province. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen institutional relations with the company, with a view to signing an academic cooperation agreement in the future.
Imptek-Chova del Ecuador S.A. is an Ecuadorian company belonging to the Saint-Gobain Group with 45 years of experience in the waterproofing, road construction, and light construction market. It is notable for its Materials Research Center (CIMI), which has equipment for quality control, applied research, and development of asphalt materials, integrating physical-chemical and rheological tests that guarantee standards of durability and performance.
During the activity, a technical dialogue was held with Pedro Paladines, technical manager of IMPTEK, to identify opportunities for joint projects, development of degree programs, pre-professional internships, and dissemination of specialized knowledge in road products and waterproofing technologies. This approach seeks to expand opportunities for collaboration between academia and the productive sector.
As part of the agenda, Kevin Valencia, technical advisor at IMPTEK, gave an introductory talk on the use of polymer-modified asphalts for construction; emulsion-stabilized bases for rehabilitation and surface treatments; slurry seal and micro-paving for road maintenance. This content provided insight into current applications aimed at improving the durability and performance of road infrastructure.
The delegation also held a technical meeting with Sandra Villacís, director of the IMPTEK Materials Research Center (CIMI), to discuss opportunities for collaboration with Academia Saint-Gobain. This was followed by a tour of the industrial plant and laboratory, where the production processes for polymer-modified asphalts, emulsions, and waterproofing solutions were observed.
Also participating in the activity were Glenda Sarango, geotechnical specialist, and Carola Gordillo, professor at FICT.
This initiative strengthens the practical training of students, promotes the updating of teaching staff in technologies applied to road infrastructure, and opens up possibilities for joint research with an impact on the productive sector and the sustainable development of the country.
