WHAT IS BITUMEN ?
Bitumen is a black, highly viscous hydrocarbon material derived from crude oil, either through natural deposits or refinery distillation. It exists in solid, semi-solid, or liquid form depending on temperature and grade. Known as “asphalt” or “asphalt cement” in North America, Asphalt is valued for its waterproofing, adhesive, and binding properties, making it essential for road construction, roofing, waterproofing, and industrial sealing applications worldwide.
WHY CHOOSE RAHA OIL AS YOUR BITUMEN SUPPLIER?
Strategic UAE Location: Based in Jebel Ali, Dubai – one of the world’s busiest ports, enabling fast FOB shipping to any destination.
Full Grade Range: Penetration (ASTM D946 & EN 12591), Oxidized, Cutback, Emulsion, VG, PG, PMB, and Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt.
Global Export Track Record: Regular shipments to Africa, East Asia, the CIS, Russia, and Southeast Asia in bulk, jumbo bags, new steel drums, and flexitanks.
Flexible Packing Options: Bulk/tanker, jumbo bag (1,000 kg), new steel drum (180 kg), bitutainer, and flexitank.
Direct Factory Pricing: Competitive FOB Jebel Ali pricing with no intermediary markup.
THE HISTORY
The use of Asphalt dates back centuries. One of the earliest documented uses of natural asphalt was in France around 1712, where naturally occurring asphalt rock was formed into lumps and applied to local roads. Over time, refining techniques improved, transforming Asphalt into a powdered, heat-processed material with far more consistent properties. Today, Asphalt is used across construction, roofing, waterproofing, pipe coating, canal lining, and sand dune stabilization — a material that continues to shape modern infrastructure.
TYPES OF BITUMEN
Petroleum Bitumen: Petroleum Asphalt is produced from crude oil and is the most common type used in construction for asphalt, insulation, and sealing. It offers strong waterproofing and high adhesion, making it suitable for structures exposed to harsh weather.
Natural Bitumen: Natural Asphalt is extracted from natural Asphalt deposits and typically contains higher solid content than petroleum Asphalt. It has historically been sourced from surface deposits and tar seams, though extraction today is more limited and localized to specific regions.
Modified Bitumen: Modified bitumen is enhanced with additives such as polymers or mineral fillers to improve wear resistance, cracking resistance, and water resistance. This makes it an advanced material suited to infrastructure projects requiring higher performance than standard grades can offer.
GRADE TYPES
Penetration Grade: Produced in a range of viscosities and classified by a penetration hardness test, penetration Asphalt is graded on a scale from 15 to 450, with 25–200 being the most common range for road construction. Hardness is controlled through the distillation process and, where needed, blending with oils.
Emulsion: Asphalt emulsion is a stable mixture of Asphalt and water, held together with an emulsifier. Asphalt is dispersed as microscopic droplets (0.5–5 microns) suspended in the water phase by electrostatic charge, allowing for cold application without heating.
Cutback Bitumen: Also known as liquid Asphalt, cutback Asphalt is dissolved in a solvent such as naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, or white spirit. The solvent type affects curing time, while the solvent quantity determines viscosity.
Oxidized Bitumen: Also called blown Asphalt, this grade is produced by passing air through penetration-grade Asphalt, increasing its hardness and rubbery character. It is widely used as an anti-slip compound in piling, in roofing felt production, in waterproofing membranes, and as an automotive undercarriage sealant.
Polymer Modified Bitumen — PMB: Engineered for high-performance pavements and heavy-duty traffic, PMB withstands extreme weather better than standard grades. Its polymer content also makes it well-suited to residential roofing applications.
Viscosity Grade — VG: Viscosity describes Asphalt’s resistance to flow. VG grades are classified by this property, which is influenced by temperature, shear rate, and bitumen type — a key factor in selecting the right grade for a given application.
Performance Grade — PG: Developed under the U.S. Strategic Highway Research Program (1987–1993), the PG system grades bitumen by real-world performance in extreme hot and cold temperatures rather than penetration or viscosity alone, offering more precise selection based on climate and traffic conditions.
Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen — CRMB: Made by blending Asphalt with recycled crumb rubber from scrap tires, CRMB offers improved flexibility, crack resistance, and rutting resistance — while recycling waste material into a sustainable construction product.
Bitumen Type Comparison at a Glance
| GRADE | FULL NAME | KEY PROPERTY | BEST USE CASE |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMB | Polymer Modified Bitumen | Enhanced elasticity & weather resistance | High-performance roads, extreme climates |
| VG | Viscosity Grade | Resistance to flow at set temperatures | Standard paving, regional grading systems |
| PG | Performance Grade | Rated by real-world hot/cold performance | Climate- and traffic-specific selection (US system) |
| CRMB | Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen | Improved flexibility & crack resistance | Sustainable construction, recycled rubber blends |
RAHA Oil — Reliable Supply, Worldwide Delivery
APPLICATIONS OF BITUMEN
Bitumen plays a central role in modern construction and infrastructure. It is used extensively in the construction of asphalt roads and bituminous membrane products, serving as a primary material for highways, motorways, and rail networks where durability and reliability are essential. Beyond road infrastructure, Asphalt’s excellent waterproofing capabilities make it a preferred choice for roofing products, while its versatility extends into household and industrial applications such as emulsion paints and sound-proofing solutions.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF BITUMEN
ADVANTAGES:
High Adhesion: Asphalt bonds strongly to a wide range of surfaces, including stone, concrete, metal, and aggregate. This strong adhesive property allows it to form stable, long-lasting joints and coatings that resist separation under stress, vibration, or repeated traffic loads.
Hardness: Asphalt offers significant resistance to wear and pressure, allowing it to withstand heavy loads, repeated impact, and constant use without premature deformation. This hardness is a key reason it performs well as a binder in high-traffic road surfaces and industrial flooring.
Water Resistance: Asphalt has excellent resistance to water and moisture penetration, making it ideal for use in wet or humid environments. This property helps prevent water infiltration into structures, roads, and roofing systems, protecting the underlying materials from water damage and deterioration over time.
Chemical Resistance: Asphalt withstands contact with many corrosive substances, including salts, mild acids, and various industrial chemicals. This resistance makes it a reliable choice for pipe coatings, tank linings, and containers exposed to chemically aggressive environments.
Durability: Due to its combined mechanical and chemical properties, Asphalt remains stable and functional over long service periods, even under continuous exposure to traffic, weather, and environmental stress. This durability reduces the need for frequent maintenance or replacement, making it a cost-effective material choice.
DISADVANTAGES:
Flammability: Asphalt is a petroleum-based material and can ignite when exposed to open flame or high heat, particularly during heating, storage, or application. Proper safety measures, including temperature control and fire prevention protocols, are essential when handling or processing Asphalt.
Emissions: The production and heating of Asphalt can release volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Without proper emission controls during manufacturing and application, this can contribute to air quality issues and environmental impact, requiring responsible handling practices across the supply chain.
Asphalt is used across many industries thanks to properties like high adhesion, hardness, water resistance, and chemical resistance — making it a durable and reliable material in construction, roofing, and industrial applications. At the same time, its flammability and potential environmental impact during production mean it must be handled, stored, and applied with proper safety and environmental controls. Selecting the right grade and taking these precautions ensures Asphalt performs safely and effectively over its full service life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQ
Bitumen prices in the UAE vary by grade, packing type, and current crude oil market conditions. Raha Oil offers indicative FOB Jebel Ali pricing for all packing options — contact us for the current rate sheet.
Asphalt 60/70 is harder and used mainly in hot climates and heavy-traffic roads, while 80/100 is softer and better suited to cold climates or lower-traffic applications. The numbers refer to the penetration test range in tenths of a millimeter.
Penetration grades 60/70 and 40/50 (ASTM D946) or 50/70 and 35/50 (EN 12591) are the most widely used grades for standard asphalt road construction, with selection depending on local climate and traffic load.
Raha Oil supplies bitumen in bulk/tanker, jumbo bags (1,000 kg), new steel drums (180 kg), bitutainers, and flexitanks, depending on shipment volume and destination requirements.
Yes. Raha Oil exports bitumen and related products from Jebel Ali, UAE to destinations across Africa, the CIS and Southeast Asia, with regular shipments in multiple packing formats.
RAHA Oil supplies bitumen graded to ASTM D946 and EN 12591 penetration standards, alongside VG, PG, and specialty grades depending on client and project requirements
GET BITUMEN EXPORT QUOTE
Looking for a reliable Bitumen supplier in UAE?
RAHA Oil provides competitive FOB and CFR export prices for Bitumen with worldwide shipment support from Jebel Ali ports.
- Steel Drum Packing
- Jumbo Bag Packing
- Bitutainer Shipment
- Bulk Vessel Supply
- SGS Inspection Available
- Worldwide Export Support
Contact our export team today for updated prices and shipment schedules.
