ADNOC Bitumen
Last updated: 2026-09-29
ADNOC Bitumen: Grades, Prices, and Export Specifications (2025)
ADNOC Bitumen refers to penetration-grade and polymer-modified bitumen produced by ADNOC Refining (a joint venture between ADNOC, Eni, and OMV) at its Ruwais Refinery Complex in Abu Dhabi. The flagship grade, ADNOC Bitumen 60/70, is priced at approximately $430–$480 per metric ton FOB Ruwais as of Q1 2025, with 80/100 trading at a $15–$25/MT discount to 60/70. Ruwais produces over 2.5 million metric tons per year of bitumen and related asphaltic products, making ADNOC one of the three largest single-site bitumen exporters in the world.
ADNOC Bitumen Grades and Specifications
ADNOC Refining produces bitumen to ASTM D946 and AASHTO M20 standards, with additional grades meeting Gulf specification requirements. The core export grades are penetration grades; PG (Performance Grade) and PMB (polymer-modified) products are supplied on a project basis.
| Grade | Penetration @25°C (0.1mm) | Softening Point (°C) | Solubility in TCE (%) | Flash Point (°C) | Primary Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **40/50** | 40–50 | 52–60 | 99.0 min | 232 min | Hot climates, heavy-duty roads, India, Africa |
| **60/70** | 60–70 | 49–56 | 99.0 min | 232 min | Global benchmark, India, East Africa, SE Asia |
| **80/100** | 80–100 | 45–52 | 99.0 min | 220 min | Temperate markets, Europe, Australia |
| **PG 64-22** | — | — | 99.0 min | 230 min | US-spec infrastructure projects |
| **PMB 40** | — | 60–70 | 99.0 min | 230 min | UAE/GCC road projects, airports |
Key physical properties of ADNOC 60/70:
- **Penetration (25°C, 100g, 5s):** 60–70 (0.1mm)
- **Softening point (R&B):** 49–56°C
- **Ductility (25°C):** 100 cm min
- **Specific gravity @25°C:** 1.01–1.05
- **Viscosity @135°C:** ~380–420 cSt
- **Packaging:** bulk (vessel), 150 kg steel drums, 1 MT jumbo bags, bitutanks
ADNOC's Ruwais complex also exports asphalt flux, cutback bitumen, and oxidized (blown) bitumen for industrial applications including roofing, waterproofing, and pipe coating.
ADNOC Bitumen Pricing: 2025 Benchmarks
ADNOC prices bitumen with reference to crude (Murban/Brent) and regional supply-demand, typically quoted FOB Ruwais with freight added for CIF terms. Because ADNOC sells both through term contracts and spot tenders, pricing splits into two tiers.
| Product | FOB Ruwais (USD/MT) | CIF India (USD/MT) | CIF East Africa (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Bitumen 60/70 (bulk)** | $430–480 | $480–530 | $500–555 |
| **Bitumen 80/100 (bulk)** | $415–460 | $465–515 | $485–540 |
| **Bitumen 40/50 (bulk)** | $445–495 | $495–545 | $515–570 |
| **PMB 40 (drummed)** | $560–640 | $620–700 | $640–720 |
| **Drums (150 kg) surcharge** | +$45–70/MT | +$45–70/MT | +$45–70/MT |
Reference deal sizes and terms (typical):
- **Minimum spot cargo:** 3,000–5,000 MT (flexitank/ISO tank lots start at 20 MT for traders)
- **Term contract volumes:** 10,000–50,000 MT/month in 12-month agreements
- **Payment terms:** LC at sight for spot; 30–60 day credit for established term buyers
- **Pricing formula:** Brent-linked with a $120–160/MT discount, adjusted monthly
- **Freight, Ruwais → Nhava Sheva:** $35–55/MT (25,000 MT cargo), 7–10 transit days
- **Freight, Ruwais → Mombasa:** $45–65/MT, 12–15 transit days
- **Freight, Ruwais → Singapore:** $30–50/MT, 14–18 transit days
In 2024, ADNOC exported approximately 1.8–2.0 million MT of bitumen and asphaltic products, with India receiving roughly 35–40%, East Africa 15–20%, and Southeast Asia 10–15%. The remaining volume moved to the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
How ADNOC Bitumen Compares to Other Origins
Buyers sourcing from the Gulf typically weigh ADNOC against Iranian, Iraqi, and Bahraini (BAPCO) material. The comparison matters most on price, spec consistency, and logistics.
| Origin | Grade Availability | FOB Price (USD/MT, 60/70) | Transit to India | Key Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **ADNOC (UAE)** | 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, PMB | $430–480 | 7–10 days | Highest spec consistency; payment via LC; premium pricing |
| **BAPCO (Bahrain)** | 60/70, 80/100 | $425–470 | 8–12 days | Limited volume; allocated to term buyers |
| **Iran (various)** | 60/70, 80/100, 40/50 | $380–440 | 6–9 days | Lowest price; sanctions/insurance and payment friction |
| **Iraq (Basrah)** | 60/70 | $400–450 | 8–12 days | Growing export volume; quality variation between parcels |
| **Saudi (Aramco)** | 60/70, PMB | $435–485 | 7–11 days | Similar quality tier to ADNOC; strong term demand |
Three structural advantages of ADNOC bitumen:
- **Consistency:** Ruwais runs a dedicated bitumen unit with tight penetration/softening point control — carbonyl and asphaltene content stay stable batch to batch, which matters for asphalt mix design.
- **Compliance and finance:** ADNOC product moves with clean documentation, standard ISPS/insurance coverage, and LC settlement — no flagged-vessel or reinsurance problems.
- **Freight position:** Ruwais sits inside the Strait of Hormuz with deepwater berths for 50,000+ DWT vessels and direct liner connections to Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Mombasa, and Singapore.
Three structural disadvantages:
- **Price premium:** ADNOC typically sits **$30–60/MT above Iranian material** and $10–30/MT above BAPCO on a like-for-like basis.
- **Volume allocation:** Term buyers with established ADNOC relationships absorb the majority of monthly output; new spot buyers face allocation limits.
- **Strait of Hormuz exposure:** Geopolitical risk in the Gulf directly affects freight rates and insurance premiums on Ruwais loadings.
Logistics, Packaging, and Quality Documentation
ADNOC bitumen is shipped bulk in bitumen tankers (typically 5,000–30,000 MT), in 150 kg steel drums, 1 MT jumbo bags, or flexitanks for smaller lots. Bulk is the default for road contractors; drums and bags serve markets with limited bulk discharge infrastructure, particularly in East and West Africa.
| Mode | Unit | Typical Lot Size | Cost Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk tanker | Metric ton | 3,000–30,000 MT | Baseline | India, SE Asia, large contractors |
| ISO tank | 20–24 MT | 20–500 MT | +$60–90/MT | Trial orders, niche markets |
| 150 kg steel drum | 150 kg | 500–10,000 MT | +$45–70/MT | West Africa, islands, remote sites |
| 1 MT jumbo bag | 1,000 kg | 200–5,000 MT | +$30–55/MT | Africa, LatAm, warehousing markets |
Documentation issued with each ADNOC bitumen cargo:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch, including penetration, softening point, ductility, solubility, flash point, and viscosity
- Certificate of Origin (UAE Chamber)
- Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list
- ISO 9001/14001 compliance statements from ADNOC Refining
- SGS/Intertek third-party inspection reports (on request, at buyer cost)
Independent inspection is standard practice for first-time buyers. Request a pre-shipment sample and have it tested against ASTM D946 or IS 73 (Indian Standard) before releasing the LC — retention samples are held by both ADNOC and the inspector for 90 days.
Buying ADNOC Bitumen: Practical Steps for Importers
Sourcing ADNOC bitumen usually runs through one of three channels: direct term contract with ADNOC, authorized distributor/trader, or spot resale cargo. Direct contracts require proven volume (typically 10,000+ MT/month) and financial standing. Most first-time importers enter via traders at a $10–25/MT margin over ADNOC's FOB price.
A practical 6-step process:
1. Define grade and spec — confirm 60/70 vs 80/100 against your local road authority standard (e.g., IS 73, EN 12591, AASHTO M20).
2. Request a firm offer — FOB or CIF, with grade, volume, packaging, port of discharge, and validity period (usually 3–5 working days).
3. Agree terms — LC at sight, CAD, or TT advance for spot; 30–60 day credit for term.
4. Arrange inspection — SGS/Intertek at load port, $700–1,500 per parcel.
5. Book freight — if FOB, nominate a vessel or forwarder with bitumen tank experience and heating capability.
6. Clear and discharge — ensure receiving terminal has heated storage and pumping capacity; bitumen must stay above 130–150°C for bulk discharge.
Cost components on a typical 5,000 MT CIF India cargo (60/70):
- FOB Ruwais: $455/MT × 5,000 = $2,275,000
- Freight: $45/MT × 5,000 = $225,000
- Insurance: ~0.15% of CIF = ~$3,750
- Inspection: ~$1,200
- **Landed cost before duty: ~$501/MT**
- **Total cargo cost: ~$2,505,000**
Use a landed-cost calculator to model freight, insurance, duty, and demurrage before committing. Small errors in heating delay charges — often $15,000–25,000/day for a detained vessel — can erase the entire trader margin.
FAQ: ADNOC Bitumen
What is ADNOC bitumen 60/70 used for?
ADNOC Bitumen 60/70 is a penetration-grade bitumen used for hot-mix asphalt in road construction, primarily in hot climates. It is the default grade for national highway and state road projects in India, East Africa, and Southeast Asia, and meets ASTM D946 and IS 73 requirements.
What is the current price of ADNOC bitumen per ton?
ADNOC Bitumen 60/70 trades at approximately $430–480 per metric ton FOB Ruwais in Q1 2025, with CIF India landing at roughly $480–530/MT. Prices move monthly with Brent crude and regional supply; drums carry a $45–70/MT premium over bulk.
Which countries import the most ADNOC bitumen?
India is the largest destination, taking an estimated 35–40% of ADNOC's bitumen exports, followed by East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) at 15–20% and Southeast Asia at 10–15%. The GCC, Europe, and the Americas absorb most of the remaining volume.
Is ADNOC bitumen better than Iranian bitumen?
ADNOC bitumen offers better spec consistency, clean documentation, standard insurance and LC settlement, but costs $30–60/MT more than Iranian material. For projects requiring tight quality control and bankable supply chains, the ADNOC premium is usually justified; for price-sensitive buyers with tolerance for friction, Iranian bitumen competes.
How long does shipping take from Ruwais to India?
Bulk cargo from Ruwais to Nhava Sheva takes 7–10 days, to Mundra 6–9 days, and to Mombasa 12–15 days. Add 3–7 days for loading, inspection, and documentation, plus discharge time of 2–4 days depending on terminal heating and pumping capacity.
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