The export of bitumen to China stands out as one of the most lucrative businesses for Iranian traders and is among the most sought-after export items to that country. According to official statistics from Iranian Customs for the year 2202, Iran’s bitumen exports to China reached approximately 650,000 tons. This figure represents an 18% increase compared to 2021. But what types of bitumen are suitable for the Chinese market? In this article from Parmis Bitumen, we will address this question and discuss various aspects of China Bitumen.
China’s Role in the Global Bitumen Market
Understanding China’s position in the global bitumen market is crucial, especially regarding its bitumen imports. China’s rapidly developing industry, coupled with its large population, has greatly increased the nation’s demand for fossil fuels, including bitumen.
Moreover, China imports a substantial amount of bitumen from Iran, which represents a significant portion of Iran’s total bitumen exports. Due to its geographical proximity and strong trade relationships, Iran stands to benefit significantly from the export of China Bitumen.
Requirements for Exporting Bitumen to China
Exporters must comply with specific technical and legal requirements to enter the official Chinese market. These requirements address both the export process and the quality of the product.
| Quality Certificate | This includes tests such as softening point, permeability percentage, viscosity, and flash point |
| ASTM or EN Standard | Many Chinese government projects require bitumen to adhere to these standards |
| SGS or BV Certificate | This certificate is necessary for product validation by international organizations, especially in maritime transportation |
| MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) | This document is essential for safe transportation and entry into Chinese ports |
Benefits of Exporting China Bitumen
Exporting bitumen to China offers several advantages for exporters, making it one of the primary export materials to this country. These benefits include:
- Affordable Transportation Costs: The cost of transporting bitumen is relatively low.
- Long-Term Contracts: Exporters have the opportunity to establish long-term contracts, fostering sustainable trade relationships.
- Access to Well-Equipped Ports: China has large and well-equipped ports that facilitate easy sea imports.
- Settlement in Alternative Currencies: In light of sanctions, there is the possibility of using alternative currencies, such as the yuan or dirham, for transactions.
- Competitive Pricing: Iranian bitumen is competitively priced compared to other sources due to the country’s access to oil resources.
- Stable Consumer Market: There is a large and growing consumer market in China, with consistent demand for infrastructure projects.
These factors make it advantageous for exporters to engage in the bitumen market with China.
Main Categories of China Bitumen
The main categories of bitumen exported to China include the following:
Functional Bitumen
Performance Graded Bitumen, commonly referred to as Bitumen PG, is not classified based on viscosity or penetration tests. Instead, it is a type of performance-graded asphalt binder designed to ensure stability at specified temperatures and durability.
The PG system evaluates aging resistance, temperature susceptibility, and deformation, categorizing bitumen behavior according to industry standards. Due to its reliability, Performance Grade Bitumen has become essential in modern pavement engineering.
China Bitumen PG Grades:
- PG 64-22: Suitable for city roads and highways in temperate climates.
- PG 70-22: Ideal for hot climates and airport runways, effectively preventing rutting.
- PG 76-22: Best for express highways and roads with heavy traffic, enhancing load resistance.
- PG 58-28: Designed to resist freeze-thaw cracking on rural roads and residential streets in cold climates.
- PG 64-28: Used for highways and bridges in colder areas, remaining flexible at sub-zero temperatures.
- PG 82-22: Retains heat-resistance by avoiding softening.
- PG 58-40: Specifically for cold regions, such as Canada, it resists winter cracking under extreme conditions.
Penetrating Bitumen
Penetration or blown bitumens are created through a process that involves the reaction of vacuum residue and air in bitumen production unit reactors. Bitumen penetration grades are classified based on their grading method using a device called a penetrometer. This device features a standard needle that penetrates the bitumen sample, allowing us to measure its hardness level. If the needle penetrates the sample easily within a specified time, the bitumen is considered softer. Conversely, if the needle has difficulty entering the sample, the bitumen is classified as harder.
Soft penetration China Bitumen, which has high penetration numbers, is typically used in cold weather conditions. In contrast, hard bitumen, which has low penetration numbers, is more suitable for warm weather conditions.
Penetrating Bitumen Grades:
- Bitumen Pen 40/50: Thick and hard, making it ideal for heavy-duty roads, high-traffic highways, and hot climates.
- Bitumen Pen 60/70: Standard for road construction, suitable for urban streets and moderate traffic conditions.
- Bitumen Pen 85/100: Soft and flexible, often used for low-traffic roads, cooler climates, and surface treatments.
Viscosity Bitumen
Viscosity bitumen is a type of bitumen characterized by its high viscosity, which means it has reduced fluidity. Viscosity refers to a material’s resistance to flow and its ability to absorb water. Due to their unique properties, viscosity bitumens are utilized in specialized applications such as surface coatings and insulation, where various chemical compositions are employed.
The viscosity grade of bitumen is tested at two temperatures: 60°C, which represents the average temperature of the road surface in summer, and 135°C, the temperature used for mixing asphalt. Additionally, the degree of penetration at 25°C, which is the average annual temperature for asphalt coating, is specified in the standards for this bitumen. The classification of the viscosity grade of bitumen is based on the results of these viscosity tests.
China Bitumen VG Grades:
- Bitumen VG10: Ideal for low-traffic roads and cooler climates due to its softer consistency.
- Bitumen VG20: Commonly used for standard road construction and moderate traffic conditions.
- Bitumen VG30: Suitable for highways and urban roads with heavy traffic, offering better durability.
- Bitumen VG40: Best for high-temperature regions and heavily trafficked roads, providing maximum stability and resistance.
Types of China Bitumen
An important aspect of exporting bitumen to China is understanding the different types available. The best choice of bitumen for export largely depends on the specific needs and conditions of the project. Several types of bitumen have been identified as high-quality options, each with unique characteristics and applications.
Regular Bitumen
Regular bitumen is produced through the distillation of crude oil and is classified into five different grades. It is widely used in road construction and civil engineering projects due to its suitable physical and chemical properties.
Cutback Bitumen
Cutback bitumen is a liquid created by adding solvents such as kerosene or gasoline to regular bitumen. This mixture easily liquefies at low temperatures, making it ideal for applications like insulation coatings and asphalt paving.
Blown Bitumen
Blown bitumen is produced by introducing air into regular bitumen, resulting in a substance with a low penetration rate and a high softening point. It is extensively used in the manufacturing of roofing sheets and car batteries.
Bulk Bitumen
Bulk bitumen is exported in large quantities and in liquid form. It is transported using large tankers and is commonly utilized in construction and road-building projects due to its high efficiency and reasonable cost.
Barrel Bitumen
Barrel bitumen is packaged in metal barrels, making it a popular method for exporting bitumen because of its easy transportability. This type of bitumen is used for specialized applications as well as smaller projects.
Natural Bitumen
Natural bitumen occurs naturally in mines and is extracted and exported in its raw form. Owing to its unique characteristics, natural bitumen plays a significant role in certain specialized construction and development projects.
Bitumen Mixture
Bitumen mixture is produced as an emulsion, combining bitumen and water. This type of bitumen is utilized in insulation and asphalt projects due to its ease of application and its adaptability to various temperatures.
Parmisbitumen is the leading exporter of China Bitumen
Parmis Bitumen Refining Company specializes in the production and export of bitumen products that meet both national and international standards. We offer various grades of viscosity, penetrating, and functional bitumen for different applications, distributing our products to global markets. For bitumen price inquiries, please contact our managers at info@parmis.com.
