Alkenza supplies premium penetration grade bitumen 40/50 in bulk tanker, steel drum, and jumbo bag formats. This medium-hard grade is specifically formulated for heavy traffic highways, airport runways, and industrial roads in hot climate regions. FOB and CIF delivery available with competitive pricing and 24-hour quote response.
Bitumen 40/50 is a penetration grade bitumen — a petroleum-derived thermoplastic binder produced during the vacuum distillation of crude oil in oil refineries. It is classified according to its consistency at standard test temperature (25 degrees Celsius), measured using the penetration test (ASTM D5 / EN 1426).
The designation 40/50 refers to the allowable penetration range — a standard needle penetrates between 40 and 50 units (each unit = 0.1 mm) into the bitumen sample under standardised load, temperature, and time conditions. This medium-hard penetration range positions bitumen 40/50 as the preferred choice for heavy-duty road pavements in hot climate regions, offering superior resistance to deformation and rutting under sustained thermal load.
As an asphalt binder and road construction material, penetration grade bitumen 40/50 is specifically engineered for heavy traffic highways, airport runways, and industrial road surfaces. Its higher viscosity and softening point compared to softer grades make it ideal for regions with ambient temperatures reaching 35-45 degrees Celsius, ensuring pavement stability under extreme heat and heavy commercial vehicle loads.
Designed for high-load commercial traffic corridors and national highway networks.
Specified for heavy aircraft loads and high-temperature performance.
Optimised for ambient temperatures 35-45C in Middle East, Africa, South Asia.
Port facilities, mining haul roads, and logistics yards.
Complete technical specification for penetration grade bitumen 40/50 per ASTM D946, AASHTO M20, and EN 12591 international standards.
| Property | Unit | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25C | 0.1 mm | 40 - 50 | ASTM D5 / EN 1426 |
| Softening Point (R&B) | C | 52 - 60 | ASTM D36 / EN 1427 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland) | C | Min 250 | ASTM D92 / EN ISO 2592 |
| Ductility at 25C | cm | Min 100 | ASTM D113 / EN 13589 |
| Specific Gravity at 25C | g/cm3 | 1.01 - 1.06 | ASTM D70 / EN ISO 3838 |
| Solubility in TCE | % w/w | Min 99.0 | ASTM D2042 / EN 12592 |
| Loss on Heating (TFOT) | % w/w | Max 0.2 | ASTM D1754 / EN 12607 |
| Penetration After RTFOT | % | Min 55 | ASTM D5 / EN 1427 |
Bitumen 40/50 is available in three primary packing formats to suit different order volumes, destination port infrastructure, and buyer handling capabilities.
Liquid bitumen 40/50 transported in heated tanker vessels at 150-180 degrees Celsius. Direct pump discharge at heated receiving terminals. Lowest freight cost per MT for large volume procurement. Full vessel or parcel tanker slots available.
New steel drums filled with liquid bitumen 40/50, sealed and loaded on flat-rack or open-top containers. 80-100 drums per 20ft container. No heated terminal required - accessible to any standard container port worldwide.
Polypropylene FIBC jumbo bags filled with bitumen. 10-12 bags per 20ft container. More efficient per-MT than drums for buyers with bulk-bag handling equipment. Suitable for inland project sites with crane access.
Alkenza manages end-to-end shipping coordination for bitumen 40/50 exports, covering vessel sourcing, freight booking, documentation, and port-to-port logistics for both bulk liquid and containerized packaged delivery.
Price includes product and loading at origin port. Buyer arranges and pays for ocean freight and insurance. Suitable for buyers with existing freight relationships who prefer to control shipping costs.
Seller covers product, ocean freight, and marine insurance to named destination port. Single fixed price for delivered cargo. Recommended for first-time importers and government tender procurement.
Global demand for bitumen 40/50 is driven by large-scale road infrastructure investment across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa - the world's fastest-growing pavement markets. This harder penetration grade is particularly valued in hot climate regions where superior rutting resistance is critical for pavement durability.
The largest volume buyers - national road agencies, state infrastructure corporations, and government-contracted construction companies procuring for multi-year highway programs in hot climate regions. Typically purchase on CIF tender terms with L/C payment and third-party inspection requirements.
Hot mix asphalt producers purchasing bitumen 40/50 for premium pavement mixes requiring higher stability. Buy FOB in full tanker quantities and prefer term supply agreements to lock in pricing and ensure consistent product specifications.
Import-market distributors who purchase bulk bitumen 40/50 for regional resale to road contractors, asphalt manufacturers, and government projects. Typically operate heated storage terminals and buy full tanker or parcel tanker quantities FOB.
High-demand region for bitumen 40/50 due to extreme ambient temperatures. Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Yemen require harder grades for highway durability under sustained heat exposure.
Pakistan and Bangladesh require bitumen 40/50 for national highway projects in regions experiencing extreme summer temperatures. Bulk tanker imports through Karachi and Chittagong ports.
Growing import markets driven by regional infrastructure investment. Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia require harder grades for durable pavement construction in tropical climates.
Indonesia and Vietnam require bitumen 40/50 for highway construction in tropical climate zones. Both markets import significant volumes by bulk tanker and container annually.
Alkenza supplies penetration grade bitumen 40/50 to infrastructure developers, road contractors, asphalt producers, and trading companies worldwide. Contact us now for a competitive bulk price, available loading window, and complete logistics proposal - we respond within 24 hours.
We return competitive FOB and CIF pricing within one business day of receiving your inquiry.
Full documentation, quality certificates, and third-party inspection available for every shipment.
Bulk tanker and containerized drum delivery to 100+ ports across Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
Alkenza supplies bitumen 40/50 directly to buyers in key import markets worldwide. Find country-specific supplier information, local pricing guidance, and import documentation requirements for your market.
Bitumen 40/50 supply for India's road construction. Nhava Sheva and Mundra delivery.
Bitumen 40/50 supplier for Pakistan infrastructure projects. Karachi delivery.
Bitumen 40/50 supply and distribution in UAE. Jebel Ali port delivery.
Bitumen 40/50 for Saudi Vision 2030 infrastructure. National highway supply.
Bitumen 40/50 supply for Trans-Java highway programs. Jakarta delivery.
Bitumen 40/50 for Vietnam expressway development. Ho Chi Minh City delivery.
Bitumen 40/50 supplier for East Africa. Mombasa delivery serving regional markets.
Bitumen 40/50 supply for West Africa road programs. Lagos delivery with drum packing.
Expert answers to the most common questions from bitumen 40/50 buyers, importers, and project engineers worldwide.
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