Why This Confusion Matters

Many people—especially in the construction, logistics, and import/export sectors—use the terms bitumen and asphalt interchangeably. But in reality, they are very different materials used at different stages of road building and infrastructure development.

Whether you’re a procurement officer, contractor, or bitumen importer, understanding this difference is essential for buying the right product, ensuring quality, and managing costs in 2025 and beyond.

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 What is Bitumen?

Bitumen is a black, sticky, semi-solid form of petroleum. It’s a binder, refined from crude oil in distillation towers and vacuum units.

 Key Properties:

• Appearance: Viscous, black liquid or semi-solid

• Origin: Byproduct of crude oil refining

• Types: Penetration grade (60/70, 80/100), Viscosity Grade (VG-30), Emulsified Bitumen

• Used As: Binder in asphalt mix, waterproofing agent, industrial sealant

 Packaging for Trade:

• New steel drums

• Bulk tankers

• Bitutainers

• Jumbo bags (in some cases)

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 What is Asphalt?

Asphalt is a mixture made by combining bitumen with aggregates like crushed stone, sand, and gravel. It’s produced in asphalt mixing plants and laid directly on roads or runways.

 Key Properties:

• Appearance: Dark, grainy, dense mix

• Components: Bitumen (5–7%) + Aggregates (93–95%)

• Types: Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), Cold Mix

• Used As: Final road surfacing material

 Important Note:

Asphalt is not traded internationally in bulk like bitumen. It’s usually produced on-site or regionally, due to its weight and short usable lifespan.

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 Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Bitumen	Asphalt
Type	Pure petroleum binder	Mixture (binder + aggregates)
Exportable?	Yes (global commodity)	No (produced & used locally)
Main Use	Binder for asphalt production	Final road layer
Composition	100% refined hydrocarbon	~5–7% bitumen + ~93% crushed stone
Market	Global export (Iran, UAE, India, etc)	Local/regional construction industry
Form	Sticky, black, viscous	Granular, solid when dry

 

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 Global Trade Perspective: Bitumen Is the Commodity

If you’re involved in international construction trade, it’s bitumen, not asphalt, that matters for logistics and sourcing. In 2025:

• Iran, India, Singapore, and South Korea are major bitumen exporters

• Importing countries like UAE, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam use imported bitumen to make asphalt locally

• Bitumen is priced by grade (e.g., 60/70), packaged in drums or tankers, and inspected by SGS

 Bitumen HS Code:

27132000 – Petroleum Bitumen, obtained from oil refining

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 Use-Cases by Industry

Sector	Uses Bitumen For	Uses Asphalt For
Road Construction	Binding aggregates	Surfacing highways and airport runways
Waterproofing	Roof coatings, sealants	❌ (Not applicable)
Industrial Export Trade	Drummed shipment	❌ (Not exported)
Governments & Cities	Procurement of bulk bitumen	Pavement operations

 

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 Why This Difference Matters for Buyers & Traders

 Common Mistake:

A buyer asks for “asphalt” expecting drums for export—but asphalt can’t be drummed! They needed bitumen.

 Correct Understanding:

Traders, EPC contractors, and port managers need bitumen in 60/70 or VG-30 grade to produce asphalt on site.

 Tip from PetroExportHub:

Always double-check with your supplier:

• Do you need pure binder (bitumen)?

• Or are you requesting a ready-to-use asphalt mix, only suitable for local application?

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