Plant price is driven by throughput and the quality stability package. Major cost drivers include colloid mill power and design, bitumen heating and insulation, storage tank count and materials, automated dosing skids for emulsifier, acid, stabilizers and water, inline instrumentation for flow, temperature, pH, and density, and control system sophistication. Utilities and civil works can be a large hidden cost: power supply, steam or thermal oil, water treatment, and bunding. Capacity also impacts pump sizing, pipe diameters, and redundancy. A cheaper plant often sacrifices automation, metering accuracy, and stability controls.