What Is Bitumen?

Overview of Bitumen

Bitumen is derived from vacuum bottom (VB), the heavy residue remaining after crude oil distillation. During refining, this material is processed to meet required penetration, viscosity, ductility, and softening point targets. As a binder, bitumen holds aggregates together in asphalt mixtures and forms durable pavement structures that withstand traffic loads, heat, moisture, and long-term weather exposure.

The performance of bitumen directly affects pavement lifespan, resistance to deformation, and overall road safety. Consistent raw materials and controlled refining conditions are essential for producing high-quality bitumen for export markets.

Why Iranian Bitumen?

Iranian bitumen is widely selected by contractors, asphalt plants, and international buyers due to its consistent quality and dependable performance. Iran benefits from access to heavy crude oil feedstock and established refining capacity, enabling controlled production of bitumen with stable physical and chemical properties.

A key advantage of Iranian bitumen is uniformity across production batches. Stable penetration and viscosity values are important for predictable behavior during mixing, laying, and compaction, especially in large paving projects where consistency reduces operational risk and improves finished pavement quality.

Iranian refineries focus on producing bitumen with strong adhesion to aggregates, reliable temperature behavior, and resistance to oxidation and aging. As a result, Iranian bitumen performs well in hot climates, moderate regions, and mixed weather conditions when the correct grade is selected for the project.

• Produced from selected vacuum bottom with controlled refining parameters
• Stable penetration and viscosity values across shipments
• Strong bonding strength and durability in asphalt mixtures
• High resistance to aging, rutting, and thermal cracking (grade-dependent)
• Suitable for highways, airports, urban roads, and industrial pavements

With multiple grade systems and export-ready packaging options, Iranian bitumen is suitable for both standard and high-demand infrastructure projects.

Why Iranian Bitumen Is Widely Used

• Uniform penetration and viscosity across production batches
• Strong adhesion to mineral aggregates and asphalt mixes
• High resistance to oxidation, aging, and temperature variation
• Reliable performance in hot, moderate, and mixed climate zones
• Availability of both hard and soft grades for different applications

Main Categories of Iranian Bitumen Grades

Iranian refineries supply five main categories of bitumen grades. Each category includes multiple subgrades designed to meet project-specific requirements related to climate, traffic load, and pavement design standards.

1) Penetration Grade Bitumen (ASTM)

Penetration grade bitumen is classified by penetration depth at 25°C and is the most commonly used bitumen type for asphalt paving. These grades are suitable for highways, urban roads, and general pavement applications.

Common Iranian penetration grades include:

• Bitumen 30/40
• Bitumen 40/50
• Bitumen 60/70
• Bitumen 60/90
• Bitumen 80/100
• Bitumen 100/120
• Bitumen 120/150
• Bitumen 150/200
• Bitumen 200/300

Bitumen 60/70 is one of the most widely used grades due to its balanced hardness and flexibility. Softer grades such as 120/150, 150/200, and 200/300 are commonly selected for colder regions or specialized engineering requirements.

2) Penetration Grade Bitumen (EN Standard)

EN penetration grades are produced according to European specifications and are often required for international tenders and government-funded infrastructure projects where laboratory consistency and compliance are essential.

Common EN grades include: 35/50, 50/70, 70/100, 100/150, 160/220

3) Viscosity Grade Bitumen (VG)

Viscosity grade bitumen is classified based on its viscosity at high temperatures. This grading system allows better control over rutting resistance and performance under heavy traffic loads.

Common VG grades include: VG 10, VG 20, VG 30, VG 40

4) Performance Grade Bitumen (PG)

Performance grade bitumen is engineered to perform within defined temperature ranges and is commonly used in advanced pavement systems such as expressways, airports, and heavy-duty roads.

Common PG grades include: PG 58-22, PG 64-22, PG 70-10, PG 70-16, PG 76-10

5) AH Grade Bitumen

AH grade bitumen is widely used in China and East Asian markets. It is specified based on penetration, ductility, and softening point values. Iranian AH grade bitumen is known for stable performance and compatibility with regional construction standards.

Common AH grades include: AH-50, AH-70, AH-90

Packaging and Supply Options

Iranian bitumen is supplied in various packaging formats depending on logistics, destination port, and project scale:

• Steel drums (150 kg / 180 kg / 200 kg)
• Jumbo bags (1 metric ton)
• Flexi tanks (containerized bulk, subject to agreement)
• Bulk shipment by vessel for large-volume contracts

Conclusion

Bitumen is a critical material for global infrastructure development. With a wide range of grades, proven production quality, and reliable export capacity, Iranian bitumen continues to be a preferred choice for contractors, traders, and infrastructure developers worldwide. Selecting the correct grade and packaging helps ensure long-term pavement performance, cost efficiency, and project reliability.