Recognition to PETROL at the 20th KABV
The Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association is celebrating the 20th Colloquium on Asphalts, Bitumen and Pavements in Bled this year—an important milestone that we would not have reached without our long-standing partnership with PETROL. Since the establishment of ZAS in 1996, PETROL has been our loyal companion: in the same year, we jointly organised the first professional meeting on polymer-modified bitumen in Gozd Martuljek. In the years that followed, we grew together, expanded our professional horizons, and strengthened the tradition of the colloquium, which has evolved from an annual gathering into a biennial professional forum with a recognised role both in Slovenia and the wider region.
Through all relocations—from Gozd Martuljek to Kranjska Gora and later to Bled—and through all developmental phases of the event, from the original Bitumen Colloquium to today’s Colloquium on Asphalts, Bitumen and Pavements, PETROL has remained our main sponsor, co-organiser, and reliable professional partner. Their support, expertise, and understanding of the importance of high-quality road infrastructure have greatly contributed to making CABP the most important industry event in Slovenia.
On this anniversary occasion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all PETROL management teams over the past decades, and especially to the current Management Board and its President, Saša Berger, for continuing this valuable tradition. Your commitment to the development of the profession and to supporting the community is deeply appreciated.
On behalf of the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association – thank you for twenty years of trust, partnership, and co-creating our shared story.
Slovenko Henigman, president of ZAS and Sašo Berger, president of management board Petrol
Special recognitions
The Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association traditionally presents special awards to individuals at the Colloquium on Asphalts, Bitumen and Pavements for their contributions to the asphalt sector and/or for their support of the activities of the Slovenian Asphalt Association.
At its 166th meeting on 4 September 2025, the Management Board appointed a five-member committee, which selected from among the nominated candidates five experts who will today, at the 20th CABP, receive the ZAS awards for the development of the asphalt industry.
The awards were presented to:
Sebastjan Černigoj, M.Sc. Civil Engineering
Sebastjan Černigoj graduated in 2004 from the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering at the University of Ljubljana. Soon after joining the predecessor of KOLEKTOR CPG, he began working on construction sites, where he first started as an assistant and for many years now has been the lead manager of the most demanding projects in the construction and maintenance of roads, especially in motorway rehabilitation. In project execution, he has repeatedly demonstrated strong and effective proposals for improving work performance.
On his initiative, the company introduced MULTIPLEKS BIG SKI and, after many years, again tested asphalt paving using a rented material transfer vehicle. He has also published several professional articles in the field of asphalt engineering.
He has repeatedly proven himself an excellent mediator in problem-solving. Since 2018, he has been a member of the DARS Asphalt Commission, providing numerous proposals for improving conditions in the industry. He has attended ZAS Management Board meetings as a deputy since 2023.
For his active role in the development of asphalt engineering in Slovenia, the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association presents him with a special award.
Kristjan Mugerli, vicepresident of ZAS, Sebastjan Černigoj and Slovenko Henigman, president of ZAS
Matic Poznič, B.Sc. Civil Engineering
Matic Poznič graduated in 2007 from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, specialising in structural engineering. After graduating, he was invited to join DARS, where he was initially expected to oversee bridge structures within the maintenance department.
Circumstances led him, already in 2010, to assume the leadership of the entire motorway reconstruction service in Slovenia. Throughout his career, he has shown a strong interest in cooperation and professional exchange, offering excellent proposals and striving to implement them in practice. He has often enriched the training of asphalt engineers, contributed to the work of the ZAS Technical Committee and the ZAS Colloquium.
As a client representative, both in the Asphalt Commission and in operational project execution, he has always shown understanding for high-quality and efficient work. He has also authored numerous technical contributions in the field of asphalt engineering and has strongly advocated for active industry participation. For his dedication, engagement, and great support for asphalt engineering, the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association presents him with a special award.
Kristjan Mugerli, vicepresident of ZAS, Matic Poznič and Slovenko Henigman, president of ZAS
Marijan Prešeren, M.Sc. Civil Engineering
Marijan Prešeren graduated in 1992 from the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering in Ljubljana. His first employment was at the Geological Survey in Ljubljana, where he remained for a year and a half. He then returned to his hometown of Novo mesto, where he continued his career at the predecessor of today’s company CGP.
During his 20 years with the company, he led the quality control department and served for more than 10 years as a member of the management board for technical affairs. For a shorter period, he also served as the general director of CGP.
His path then led him to two mid-sized construction companies and later to the ZRMK Building Institute in Ljubljana, which he successfully managed as director during his last term, achieving excellent results.
He has been very active in the civil engineering community, serving for many years as president of the Dolenjska Roads Association, as a member of the DRC Assembly, and has been an active member of the Slovenian Asphalt Association since its establishment in 1996. He has served on numerous professional committees and held positions on both the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of ZAS in various terms.
Through his work with ZAS, he has contributed numerous proposals for the development of the asphalt industry and road infrastructure. He has always had a strong sense for organising professional events and conferences.
For his dedicated work, the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association presents him with a special award.
Marijan Prešeren
Ralf Pomp, President of EAPA
With great pride, we present a special award of the Slovenian Asphalt Association to Mr. Ralf Pomp, who has been the president of the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA) for the past three years.
His outstanding professional contributions and leadership in this industry have had a significant impact on the development and progress of the European asphalt sector.
His long-standing work in management, technological development, and industry representation demonstrates his commitment and expertise. With his experience and knowledge, he has greatly contributed to improving quality, boosting innovation, and enhancing cooperation among professionals in the industry. As EAPA president, he is particularly committed to bringing asphalt-related professions closer to the younger generation entering the labour market.
He has shared his views at various ZAS events in Slovenia, impressed participants with his proposals, and consistently supported the development of the asphalt industry.
For all his efforts in advancing the asphalt sector in Europe and Slovenia, we sincerely thank him and present him with the special award of the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association.
Ralf Pomp
ASPHALT AMBASADOR
Eight years ago, the ZAS Management Board decided to award the title AMBASSADOR OF ASPHALT at the colloquiums to outstanding individuals whose work and dedication promote the mission of the asphalt industry and the professional organisation ZAS.
This title represents the highest recognition of the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association.
The first Ambassador of Asphalt was chosen at the 16th colloquium eight years ago. Two years ago, this honour was bestowed upon Janez Prosen. Today, for the fifth time, we present the title:
AMBASSADOR OF ASPHALT for the period 2025–2027 to Zvonko Cotič
Zvonko Cotič is a civil engineering graduate and one of Slovenia’s leading experts in asphalt technologies. He has more than three decades of experience in the development, optimisation, and supervision of asphalt mixtures for road infrastructure.
He began his career in the 1990s at CP Gorica and later at Primorje, where he led the areas of quality, development, and technology. There he gained in-depth understanding of technological processes, material behaviour, and the demanding procedures for ensuring compliance in large infrastructure projects.
As Director of Research and Development at STRUCTUM, he is deeply engaged in introducing modern, sustainable, and recycled materials into asphalt mixtures. His work includes developing advanced asphalts, particularly mixtures with crumb rubber-modified binders, reclaimed asphalt materials, and steelmaking slag. He places special focus on reducing road noise and finding material solutions that extend road life while reducing maintenance costs. He has also broadened his expertise into geotechnical and concrete technologies.
Zvonko Cotič regularly lectures at professional conferences, presenting Slovenian and international best practices. He collaborates with research institutions, engineering firms, and industry associations, contributing to raising standards in asphalt technology and promoting sustainable approaches in road construction.
He is a member of several professional committees and of the honorary tribunal of ZAS. At previous colloquiums, he has presented eight technical papers. He has also contributed to ZAS training programmes, Asphalt Days, and other events. His strong communication skills and compelling presentations make him a highly valued speaker.
With his initiatives and work, he has enabled exceptional progress in the Slovenian asphalt industry and significantly supported the activities of ZAS. Therefore, at the 20th Colloquium on Asphalts and Bitumen in Bled, the Slovenian Asphalt Pavement Association proudly awards him the title AMBASSADOR OF ASPHALT.
Zvonko Cotič, Asphalt ambasador 2025-2027 and Janez Prosen, Asphalt ambasador 2023-2025
Kristjan Mugerli, vicepresident of ZAS, Zvonko Cotič, Asphalt ambasador 2025-2027, Janez Prosen and Slovenko Henigman, president of ZAS
Matic Poznič, Zvonko Cotič, Marijan Prešeren, Sebastjan Černigoj and Ralf Pomp
