Petroleum bitumen is a combination of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Bitumen is also refereed to as Asphalt. The product itself is black and extremely gluey. Petroleum bitumen has an unpleasant smell, and it is full of carbon. The high content levels of it are the main reason it cannot be used in combustion. This is why it is unlike gasoline, diesel or jet fuel which can all be used as fuel for energy.

Due to its high carbon content, unless it is kept in a heated state of approximately 150 degrees Celsius, it solidifies into a rock-hard wax. Most petroleum bitumen is loaded into road tankers, drums, poly bags, polycubes, bulk vessel, or bitutainers near its boiling point. Operators which handle bitumen at such extreme temperatures should wear protective clothing and gloves at all times.

The primary use (70%) of asphalt is in road construction, where it is used as the glue or binder mixed with aggregate particles to create asphalt concrete. Its other main uses are for bituminous waterproofing products, including production of roofing felt and for sealing flat roofs .

Production

Bitumen is obtained as the “heavy” (i.e., difficult to distill) fraction. Material with a boiling point greater than around 500 °C is considered asphalt. Vacuum distillation separates it from the other components in crude oil (such as naphtha, gasoline and diesel). The resulting material is typically further treated to extract small but valuable amounts of lubricants and to adjust the properties of the material to suit applications. In a de-asphalting unit, the crude asphalt is treated with either propane or butane in a supercritical phase to extract the lighter molecules, which are then separated. Further processing is possible by “blowing” the product: namely reacting it with oxygen. This step makes the product harder and more viscous.

Bitumen is typically stored and transported at temperatures around 150 °C (302 °F). Sometimes diesel oil or kerosene are mixed in before shipping to retain liquidity; upon delivery, these lighter materials are separated out of the mixture. This mixture is often called “bitumen feedstock”, or BFS. Some dump trucks route the hot engine exhaust through pipes in the dump body to keep the material warm. The backs of tippers carrying asphalt, as well as some handling equipment, are also commonly sprayed with a releasing agent before filling to aid release. Diesel oil is no longer used as a release agent due to environmental concerns.

Bitumen Grades

The penetration grade bitumen is refinery bitumen which is produced by different viscosity. In fact, Penetration bitumen is semi hard black material known as petroleum grade bitumen. The penetration test is carried out to characterize the bitumen, based on the hardness. Therefore, it has the name penetration bitumen. The common bitumen penetration grades are 60/70, 80/100, 85/100, 40/50 and 30/40; which normally Low penetration grade bitumen is used in the warm areas while high penetration grade is used in cold areas. The major Penetration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen 60/70 that is generally used for all the markets.

Actually, Penetration Grade Bitumen is specified by the penetration and softening point test. The designation is by penetration range only.

Penetration grade basic assumption is that the less viscous asphalt, the needle will penetrate deeper. This penetration depth is empirically (albeit only roughly) correlated with asphalt binder performance. Therefore, asphalt binders with high penetration numbers (called “soft”) are used for cold climates while asphalt binders with low penetration numbers (called “hard”) are used for warm climates. Just as an example to make it more clear, Bitumen 60/70, means penetration is between 60 dm (Decimeter) to 70 dm, that’s mean needle will penetrate to bitumen sample minimum 60 dm and maximum 70 dm.

BS group produce this grade of bitumen by blowing hot air into the high quality vacuum bottom. This grade of Bitumen is mainly used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses.

The penetration grading system was developed in the early 1900s to characterize the consistency of semi-solid asphalts. Penetration grading quantifies the following asphalt concrete characteristics:

Penetration depth of a 100 g needle 25° C (77° F).
Flashpoint temperature. Ductility at 25°C (77°F).
Solubility in trichloroethylene.
Thin film oven test (accounts for the effects of short-term aging that occurs during mixing with hot aggregate).
Retained penetration.
Ductility at 25° C (77° F)

SPECIFICATION	60/70	80/100	85/100	40/50	30/40
SPECIFICATION	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT
SPECIFIC GRAVITY @25/25 C	1.01-1.06	1.01-1.05	1.01-1.05	1.01-1.06	1.01-1.06
PENETRATION @25 C	60/70	80/100	85/100	40/50	30/40
SOFTENING POINT C	49/56	42/52	45/52	52/60	55/63
DUCTILITY @25 C	100 MIN	100 MIN	100 MIN	100 MIN	100 MIN
LOSS ON HEATING (WT)%	0.2 MAX	0.5 MAX	0.5 MAX	0.2 MAX	0.2 MAX
DROP IN PENETRATION AFTER HEATING	20 MAX	20 MAX	20 MAX	20 MAX	20 MAX
FLASH POINT C	250 MIN	250 MIN	250 MIN	250 MIN	250 MIN
SOLUBILITY IN CS2 (WT)%	99.5 MIN	99.5 MIN	99.5 MIN	99.5 MIN	99.5 MIN
SPOT TEST	NEGATIVE	NEGATIVE	NEGATIVE	NEGATIVE	NEGATIVE

Bitumen Packing

Drum Bitumen

Customarily, bitumen has been packaged and exported in new steel drums. Drum bitumen capacity ranges from 150 Kg to 200 Kg. The most commonly used drum packaging capacity by nearly all bitumen consumers in the globe is 180 Kg. 180 Kg drums are used more widely by bitumen consumers as they are the most beneficial to them. Bitumen importers can save on costs by using 180 Kg drums. The areas of savings are associated but not limited to, drum production cost, handling and shipping related expenses.

Drum bitumen in 20 feet containers

150 Kg Drums

147 kg drums also known as 150 Kg drums are mainly purchased by bitumen buyers in Chittagong Bangladesh.

When stuffing 110 drums of 150 Kg drum weight however, the total weight that can be stuffed in a 20 feet container is only 16 metric tons. In comparison, when using Drum bitumen weighing 180 Kg per drum, 110 drums can be stuffed in each 20 feet container. This means a total of 20 metric tons can be stuffed in each container.

150 Kg drums are also costlier to ship. This is simply because less Drum bitumen can be shipped per container. In addition, it takes more steel to produce this smaller sized drum. In addition, more drums are needed to hold the same amount of weight as the standard 180 Kg drum weight would require.

Standard size bitumen containers

20 feet containers are the standard size when it comes to transporting Drum bitumen. They are the most economical container size available in the market today. When it comes to carrying bitumen in 40 feet containers the cost is nearly double that of 20 feet containers. However; the capacity of 40 feet containers is 135 drums which is only 25 drums more for the bigger sized container. This is not economical in almost every instance as the Terminal Handling Charge THC of a 40 feet container alone are also higher. More containers equals more work, higher shipping rates and more port charges both a the loading port and the discharge port.

Drum bitumen clients are advised to use the standard 180 Kg drums to ensure savings on shipping expenses.

200 Kg Drums

Another country which uses a different sized and weight drum is Pakistan. Pakistan a mainly imports its bitumen through a shared border with Iran named Tafton border which requires bitumen to be transported by land in trucks. Karachi port in Pakistan is also a popular destination for Iranian bitumen of high quality. Shipments in Bitumen drum are made via containers by sea. 200 Kg packaging is costlier than 180 Kg drum packaging. When shipping by sea, only 80 new steel drums can be placed in each 20 feet container versus 20 metric tons in 180 Kg drums.

Pakistan and Bangladesh’s markets are accustomed to these sized drums and mainly use their traditional drum sizes. However, in the recent years we have seen a small shift towards the standard 180 Kg drum packaging by bitumen importers from these two countries.

Buy drum bitumen of 180 kg to save on costs

Standard Bitumen Drum Specification

Specification	180 kg Bitumen Drum	150 KG bitumen Drum	200 KG bitumen Drum
Height (mm)	980	860	980
Diameter (mm)	500	500	500
Body Thickness (mm)	0.6	0.6	0.6
Top/Base Thickness (mm)	0.6	0.6	0.6
Net Weight (kg) +/-2.5	182	150	210
Gross Weight (kg) +/-2.5	192	158	220
Empty Drum Weight (kg) +/-1	9.5	8.5	10

Bitumen in poly-cubes

Bitumen in polycubes

Poly bag bitumen / Jumbo bag bitumen / Bitumen in polycubes

Polymer Bags are becoming one of the most demanding types of packing for bitumen from bitumen customers worldwide.

Below are some of the advantages of Poly bag packaging:

No waste when extracting the bitumen from the bags
Melt able in old and new machinery
Easy and clean handling
Equal price to drums or lower packing while loading a higher capacity per each 20 feet container. Enabling us to ship 4 metric tons more in each unit.
Available in various weights, such as 300 KG, 800 KG and 1000 KG, however we focus on 300 Kg bags

Did you know this about Polycube bitumen?

Our bags are made of two layers of Polymer as well as an extra internal layer
Polycubes are the new generation of Poly bags and when handled properly they are nearly leak proof
We offer special protection within each container to maximize the safe arrival of your goods
When filling poly bags or rather polycubes, bitumen is cooled down to a filling temperature just below the melting point of the packaging material

The filling of Bitumen in polycubes

The filling of Bitumen in polycubes is carried out semi-automatically. Then, the operator must place the empty polycube under the filling head and begin filling. After reaching the required weight, the filling head stops the bitumen flow. At this point the operator closes the polycube and removes it from the filling station with a forklift which is then loaded safely into properly prepared containers for transporting polycubes right at the factory. During loading a reputable international inspection company such as SGS or Geo Chem inspection will be used to assert our guaranteed quality.

Polycube Specification

Capacity- Filling quantity for bitumen (net) – 300 kg
Materials- Outer bag – PP fabric Liner – PE
Melting point outer bag (PP) – 155oC / 311oF
Melting point outer bag (PP) – 137oC / 279oF
UV-Resistance – 6 months
Storage under roof – 12 months
Multiuse of outer bag – no
Dimensions -L x W x H (circ.) – 100 x 50 x 50 cm
Tare weight outer bag (circ.) – 1.1 kg
Tare weight outer bag (circ.) – 1.3 kg
Tare weight POLYCUBE (circ.) – 1.4 kg
Quantities -Number of polycubes which can fit in a 20ft container – 80
Quantity of bitumen fitting in a 20ft container – 24 metric tonns

Bitumen in polycubes

Bitumen in Bitutainers

Bitumen containers are also known as Bitumen in bitutainers. They are a minor part of the different types of bitumen packaging available. Bitutainers are an alternative method of supplying Bulk bitumen without chartering a bulk vessel. Some may use bitutainers as storage tanks and discharge their bitumen at a later time for their intended use. This method is used to transport high quality bitumen to minor or major road construction projects.

As an alternative, bitumen clients who wish to purchase bulk bitumen rent bitutainers. Once they are rented they are sent to our facilities in Bandar Abbas Iran. We are only a few short kilometers in distance from Bandar Abbas Port. Once they are sent to us, our job is to fill them with your preferred grade of high quality road bitumen.

Bitumen in bitutainers usually poses a heat generator. This an intricate part of the bitutainers which in turn, bring or maintain the bitumen to or in a warn and liquid state. This practice is in place to ensure the easy discharge of your bitumen at the discharge port. As their heating functions vary, please check the functionality of your bitutainers independently.

Depending on its capacity, we can generally load 25 metric tons of bitumen in each bitutainer. Larger sized bitutainers may also be available in the market, known as 40 feet bitutaienrs. The shipping and rental cost of these larger units are generally higher.

If you require assistance finding a source to attain bitutainers, please let us know and we will do our best to make some recommendations to you.

Bitumen in bitutainers

Top of Form

Bitumen Prices & Quotation

All Iran bitumen prices today include the following:

Terminal Handling Charges TCH at the loading port
All VAT on the Seller’s side
International Inspection for quality and quantity for all orders 500 metric tons or over
Plastic protection in 20 Feet Containers
No hidden costs
All LC orders require our final confirmation

Additional Information on Iran bitumen prices today :

Each 20 feet container can hold 110 new steel drums
Jey Oil Refinery embossed drummed bitumen is available upon request (Please contact us for a quote)
Pasargad Oil embossed drummed bitumen is also available upon request (Please contact us for a quote)
33 Kg and 300 Kg Polybags and 1 MT Jumbo Bags are available (Please contact us for a quote)
Each 20 feet container can hold 80 x 300 Kg polycubes totaling 24 metric tons
Each 20 feet container can hold 24 metric tons of 33 Kg Bags ( subject to availability)
Each 20 feet container can hold 10 metric tons of 1 MT Jumbo Bags ( subject to availability)
Commission based Agents are welcome
Bulk bitumen orders are considered on a case by case basis and can be shipped to neighboring countries
We can fill your bitutainers also known as bitutanks near the port in Bandar Abbas
Joint Ventures are welcomed
Brokers are welcomed
For Pasargad oil bitumen prices please contact us with your inquiry

Gamma Development Co. offers the most completive prices for this product. For receiving a quote please sends us you inquiry along with the LOI to our email : export (@) gamma-co (.) ir