What Is Bitumen and Why Is It One of the Most Strategic Industrial Materials?

Bitumen is a dense, black, highly viscous material produced by the vacuum distillation of crude oil. Composed of heavy hydrocarbons, asphaltenes, and resins, it is one of the most essential raw materials used in civil infrastructure, transportation, building construction, waterproofing systems, and the energy sector.

Its role is not limited to road asphalt; bitumen is also used in waterproofing membranes, industrial protective coatings, pipeline insulation, chemical industries, and the production of many industrial compounds.

The role of bitumen in infrastructure and road development

More than 90% of road construction and pavement projects depend directly on the performance of bitumen. Its quality determines:

• The durability of asphalt under heavy traffic
• The resistance of pavement to heat, cold, and climate variations
• The level of cracking, rutting, and fatigue in asphalt layers
• The service life and maintenance costs of roads and highways

Iran as a regional hub for bitumen production

With major refineries in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Isfahan, Abadan, Shiraz, and Kermanshah, Iran is considered one of the key bitumen producers in the region. High production capacity allows both full domestic supply and significant export volumes.

However, professional buyers always look for suppliers that offer standard-compliant products, reliable analysis, and secure export packaging.

Top 10 Bitumen Suppliers in Iran

In Iran, bitumen is supplied by refinery plants, specialized packing companies, oxidized bitumen producers, emulsion plants, and official export houses. Below is an overview of ten key bitumen producers and suppliers that are active in both domestic and export markets.

#	Supplier	Product Types	Packaging	Location
1	Tehran Oil Refinery	Penetration Grades 60/70 and 80/100	Drums, bulk	Tehran
2	Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery	Road and export-grade bitumen	Export drums, bulk	Bandar Abbas
3	Isfahan Oil Refinery	Grades 40/50 and 60/70	Drums, bulk	Isfahan
4	Abadan Oil Refinery	Penetration and industrial grades	Drums, bulk	Abadan
5	Shiraz Oil Refinery	Construction and road bitumen	Drums	Shiraz
6	Kermanshah Oil Refinery	Grades 60/70, 85/25	Drums, bulk	Kermanshah
7	Pasargad Oil Company	Penetration, oxidized, and emulsion bitumen	Export drums, bulk	Multiple plants across Iran
8	Jey Oil Company	60/70, oxidized bitumen	Drums, jumbo bags	Isfahan, Bandar Abbas
9	Private export suppliers	Industrial and road grades	Export drums, bulk	Industrial hubs
10	Bitumen suppliers on Shimico	60/70, 80/100, oxidized, emulsion, PG grades	Drums, bulk, jumbo bags	Nationwide / export

Bitumen Buying Guide and Key Selection Criteria

Buying bitumen is a highly technical decision. An incorrect choice can negatively impact pavement performance, waterproofing efficiency, and the overall quality and service life of infrastructure.

Selecting the right grade, checking a reliable analysis, and understanding project conditions are three fundamental steps in professional bitumen procurement.

Step 1 – Reviewing the analysis report

Trusted suppliers provide a certified analysis sheet with each shipment. At minimum, you should carefully check:

• Penetration grade value
• Softening point
• Viscosity at different temperatures
• Solubility in CS2
• Specific gravity and weight loss
• Flash point

Each of these parameters determines how the bitumen will perform under actual field conditions and which type of project it is suitable for.

Step 2 – Choosing the right grade for your project

Bitumen grade must be chosen based on application type, climate, and construction method:

• 60/70: The most widely used grade for highways and heavy-traffic roads
• 80/100: Suitable for colder regions and areas with long winters
• 40/50: Ideal for hot climates with heavy traffic loads
• Oxidized bitumen: Used in waterproofing, membranes, cable insulation, and industrial sheets
• Emulsion bitumen: Used for prime coat, tack coat, cold asphalt, and rural road construction
• PG bitumen: Performance-grade bitumen designed for modern highways based on high- and low-temperature performance

Additional considerations for export buyers

If your target market is export, you should also consider:

• Type of packaging (new steel drums, palletizing, jumbo bags)
• Compliance with destination standards (ASTM, EN, ISIRI or client-specific specs)
• Drum quality (no rust, no leakage)
• Loading methods, storage conditions, and temperature control
• Customs regulations and export documentation

Types of Bitumen Produced in Iran and Worldwide

Bitumen is classified based on production method and performance behavior. Each category has specific characteristics and is selected for certain project types. The main groups are:

1. Penetration grade bitumen

The most common type used in road construction, including 40/50, 60/70, and 80/100. Classification is based on the depth of penetration of a standard needle at a specific temperature.

• 40/50 for very hot climates
• 60/70 as the standard grade for highways
• 80/100 for colder areas

2. Viscosity grade bitumen (VG)

VG10, VG20, VG30, and VG40 are categorized based on viscosity at different temperatures. These grades are more stable under temperature variations and are widely used in export markets.

3. Oxidized bitumen (blown bitumen)

Produced by blowing hot air through bitumen. This process:

• Increases hardness
• Improves thermal stability
• Makes the product more suitable for industrial waterproofing applications

Common grades include 115/15 and 105/35.

4. Bitumen emulsion

A mixture of bitumen, water, and emulsifier, designed for low-temperature applications and moist surfaces. Key advantages are lower fuel consumption, safer handling, and faster application.

5. Performance grade (PG) bitumen

The most advanced category of bitumen, engineered according to performance at both high and low temperatures. Typical grades include PG 58-22 and PG 64-16, widely used in modern highways and regions with severe temperature fluctuations.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Bitumen

Bitumen’s behavior in road construction, building applications, and waterproofing depends directly on its physical and chemical properties. Understanding these characteristics helps engineers and buyers select the right grade for each climate and loading condition.

Key properties of bitumen

• Specific gravity: typically between 1.00 and 1.05 g/cm³
• Flash point: usually above 230°C, providing safe handling at high temperatures if safety rules are followed
• Penetration: main criterion for penetration grade classification
• Softening point: indicates thermal resistance and stability at high temperatures
• Viscosity: determines flow behavior at different temperatures
• Solubility: insoluble in water but fully soluble in CS2 and toluene
• Thermal behavior: crucial for crack resistance and rutting performance

Why accurate analysis matters

Even small changes in penetration, softening point, or viscosity can significantly affect asphalt performance or waterproofing quality.

Harder grades perform better in hot climates, while softer grades are more suitable for cold regions. Therefore, a reliable analysis report is a mandatory requirement for every shipment, not just an optional document.

Bitumen Production Methods and Related Industrial Processes

Bitumen is produced through several main industrial processes, depending on the required grade and application. Each method changes the molecular structure and final behavior of the product.

1. Vacuum distillation (penetration bitumen)

In refineries, crude oil is distilled under vacuum, and the residue is penetration-grade bitumen (such as 60/70 and 80/100). This material is the base feedstock for many other bitumen products.

2. Air blowing (oxidized bitumen)

In this process, hot air is blown into heated bitumen under controlled conditions. The result is:

• Higher hardness
• Greater thermal and structural stability
• Improved performance in industrial waterproofing

Well-known grades include 115/15 and 105/35.

3. Bitumen emulsion production

Bitumen emulsion is produced by mixing bitumen, water, and emulsifier in special mixers. It is used where asphalt must be applied at lower temperatures or on slightly moist surfaces.

• Lower energy consumption
• Safer and more flexible application
• Higher speed of execution for light and rural projects

4. Cutback bitumen production

Cutback bitumen is obtained by blending bitumen with solvents such as naphtha or diesel to reduce viscosity and make it suitable for cold-applied asphalt or primer applications.

Industrial Applications of Bitumen

Bitumen is a fundamental material in numerous industries, providing protection, adhesion, durability, and waterproofing. The most important application sectors include:

Road construction and transportation

• All pavement layers (binder, wearing course, base)
• Urban and intercity roads
• Highways and expressways
• Heavy-traffic transportation corridors

Building and waterproofing applications

• Waterproofing membranes (bituminous membranes)
• Foundation sealing and tanking
• Roof insulation and damp-proofing
• Bituminous sheets and protective layers

Chemical and industrial uses

• Corrosion protection for pipelines
• Coating of oil and gas tanks
• Bituminous primers and adhesives
• Protective industrial and anti-rust coatings

Subsurface and heavy civil projects

• Dams and tunnels
• Subsurface structures and underground facilities
• Waterproofing of concrete structures

Packaging, Storage, and Transportation of Bitumen

Packaging and transportation play a critical role in preserving bitumen quality until the point of use. Proper packaging is especially important for exports and helps prevent leakage, contamination, and quality loss.

Packaging for penetration-grade bitumen

Penetration grades are usually supplied in two main packaging formats:

• Steel drums (150–180 kg): suitable for export and standard storage
• Bulk hot bitumen in tankers: ideal for large projects and continuous consumption

Packaging for oxidized bitumen

• 25 kg bags
• Blocks and solid moulds
• Export-grade jumbo bags

Packaging for bitumen emulsion

• Coated steel tanks
• IBC plastic tanks
• Coated drums

Standard storage conditions

• Dry, shaded warehouses away from direct sunlight
• Adequate ventilation to prevent vapour accumulation
• Preventing bitumen emulsion from freezing
• Proper palletizing and stacking of drums

Safe transportation of bitumen

For safe transportation of bitumen, the following principles should be observed:

• Using tankers designed for hot bitumen
• Controlling product temperature during the entire journey
• Preventing leakage or damage to drums in road or sea transport

Safety Guidelines for Working with Bitumen

Hot bitumen is a highly sensitive material. Skin contact or inhalation of dense fumes can cause serious harm. Strict adherence to safety practices during storage, transfer, and application is essential.

Essential safety measures

• Use heat-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and safety footwear
• Wear safety goggles when spraying or transferring hot bitumen
• Ensure proper ventilation in heating and storage areas
• Avoid overheating of storage tanks and boilers
• Inspect bitumen boilers and tankers regularly for leaks or structural issues
• Follow regulations for transporting flammable materials on roads

Following these guidelines helps protect workers’ health, reduce the risk of industrial accidents, and prevent costly project delays.

Bitumen Prices and Key Market Drivers

Bitumen prices are influenced by a combination of global and local factors, leading to specific volatility patterns in both domestic and export markets.

Understanding these factors helps professional buyers choose the right timing and structure for their purchase.

Main factors affecting bitumen prices

• Global crude oil price: the primary driver of bitumen pricing
• Bitumen grade: 60/70, 80/100, oxidized, emulsion, PG, etc.
• Quality and analysis level: higher quality often means higher price
• Type of packaging: bulk, drums, or jumbo bags
• Domestic logistics and loading costs: plant to port or border
• Exchange rate: direct impact on export prices
• Standards and storage costs: especially relevant for export operations

Why 60/70 and 80/100 grades are more volatile

These two grades have the highest demand in both domestic and export markets. As a result, even small changes in crude oil prices, packaging costs, or exchange rates can quickly affect their final selling price.