Air Blown Bitumen Price
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Air Blown Bitumen Price: Direct Answer
Air blown bitumen prices range from $420 to $680 per metric ton (FOB) as of Q1 2025, depending on penetration grade (10/20 to 115/15), packaging (bulk vs. drum), and origin. In bulk shipments of 500+ MT from Middle East refineries, expect $430–$510/MT, while drummed material from Asia runs $520–$650/MT. Prices have risen 8–12% year-over-year due to feedstock (vacuum residue) tightness and higher blending costs.
What Determines Air Blown Bitumen Price?
Air blown bitumen (also called oxidized bitumen or blown asphalt) is produced by passing air through vacuum residue at 240–280°C for 6–12 hours. The oxidation process raises softening point and lowers penetration, creating grades like 85/25, 90/15, 95/25, and 115/15. Its price is not a single number—it varies by grade, packaging, Incoterm, volume, and freight.
| Factor | Impact on Price | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration grade | Higher softening point = more processing | +$15–$40/MT |
| Packaging | Bulk cheapest; drums add cost | Bulk vs. drum: +$60–$120/MT |
| Order volume | 500+ MT vs. <100 MT | 5–10% discount at scale |
| Origin | Middle East vs. Asia vs. Europe | ±$50–$90/MT |
| Incoterm | FOB vs. CIF vs. CFR | +$30–$80/MT for CIF |
| Payment terms | LC vs. TT vs. open account | 1–3% premium for open account |
Processing time is a major cost: every additional hour of air blowing consumes 12–18 m³ of air per ton and 8–10 kWh of energy, adding roughly $6–$9/MT per hour of oxidation.
Global Air Blown Bitumen Price Table (Q1 2025)
The table below compares FOB prices by origin and grade. Numbers are indicative for bulk, 500+ MT orders.
| Origin | Grade | Softening Point (°C) | Penetration (0.1mm) | FOB Price (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 85/25 | 85–90 | 20–30 | $430–$470 |
| Iran | 95/25 | 95–100 | 20–30 | $450–$490 |
| UAE | 90/15 | 90–95 | 10–20 | $470–$510 |
| Saudi Arabia | 115/15 | 110–120 | 10–20 | $500–$540 |
| South Korea | 90/40 | 85–95 | 35–45 | $540–$580 |
| China | 95/25 | 90–100 | 20–30 | $460–$500 |
| Spain | 85/25 | 80–90 | 20–30 | $580–$620 |
Note: Prices exclude drum cost ($90–$130/MT for new steel drums) and freight. CIF prices to major ports (Jebel Ali, Singapore, Rotterdam) add $40–$90/MT.
| Packaging | Unit | Price (USD/MT) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (tanker) | MT | $430–$510 | Large refineries, roofing plants |
| New steel drum | MT | $520–$650 | Export, small-medium buyers |
| Used drum | MT | $490–$590 | Domestic resale |
| Bulk bag (1 MT) | MT | $540–$660 | Specialty applications |
For a 20 MT container of drummed air blown bitumen, expect $11,000–$13,500 FOB depending on origin and grade.
Regional Price Breakdown and Trends
Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia dominate air blown bitumen exports because of cheap vacuum residue feedstock and high-capacity oxidation units. Iranian 85/25 remains the market benchmark at $430–$470/MT FOB Bandar Abbas. Saudi 115/15 commands a premium due to strict quality control and longer oxidation cycles.
- **Iran:** 85/25 at $430–$470/MT; 95/25 at $450–$490/MT
- **UAE:** 90/15 at $470–$510/MT; 60/70 blown at $490–$530/MT
- **Saudi Arabia:** 115/15 at $500–$540/MT
South Korea, China, and Singapore produce air blown bitumen with consistent penetration and low wax content. Korean 90/40 is favored for waterproofing membranes and trades at $540–$580/MT FOB Busan.
- **China:** 95/25 at $460–$500/MT (Shandong ports)
- **South Korea:** 90/40 at $540–$580/MT
- **Singapore:** 85/25 at $510–$550/MT (blended)
European refineries (Spain, Italy, Germany) face higher energy costs and EU emissions compliance, pushing prices to $580–$680/MT FOB. Spanish 85/25 is quoted at $580–$620/MT.
How to Calculate Your Air Blown Bitumen Cost
Use this formula to estimate landed cost:
Landed Cost = FOB Price + Freight + Insurance + Drum Cost + Port Charges + Inland Transport + Import Duty + VAT
| Cost Component | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| FOB (100 MT × $470) | $47,000 |
| Freight (Bandar Abbas → Nhava Sheva) | $3,200 |
| Insurance (0.5% of CIF) | $251 |
| Drum cost (100 MT × $110) | $11,000 |
| Port charges | $800 |
| Inland transport | $1,500 |
| Import duty (7.5%) | $4,650 |
| **Total Landed Cost** | **$68,401** |
| **Per MT Landed** | **$684** |
This shows how drum cost alone adds ~$110/MT—a 23% increase over FOB. Bulk buyers avoid this entirely.
- **Order in bulk** (500+ MT) to unlock 5–10% discounts
- **Use bulk vessels** instead of drums when possible
- **Negotiate CIF** if you lack freight forwarding capability
- **Buy off-season** (Q3) when demand dips 8–15%
- **Consolidate shipments** to reduce per-unit freight
Air Blown Bitumen vs. Penetration Grade: Price Comparison
Air blown bitumen is typically $20–$60/MT more expensive than penetration grade (60/70 or 80/100) because of the extra oxidation step. Below is a side-by-side comparison.
| Property | Air Blown Bitumen | Penetration Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Air oxidation (6–12 hrs) | Vacuum distillation |
| Softening Point | 85–120°C | 45–55°C |
| Penetration (25°C) | 10–40 | 60–100 |
| Price (FOB, bulk) | $430–$680/MT | $400–$620/MT |
| Main Use | Roofing, waterproofing, mastics | Road paving |
| Price Premium | +$20–$60/MT | Baseline |
Key insight: The price gap widens for high softening point grades (115/15) because they require longer oxidation and more energy.
Price Forecast 2025–2026
Analysts expect air blown bitumen prices to rise 4–7% in 2025 and stabilize in 2026. Drivers:
- **Feedstock tightness:** Vacuum residue supply down 3–5% globally
- **Energy costs:** Natural gas and electricity up 6–10% in Europe
- **Demand growth:** Roofing and waterproofing demand up 3–5% in Asia
- **Freight volatility:** Red Sea disruptions adding $20–$40/MT on Asia-Europe routes
| Quarter | Expected FOB Range (USD/MT) |
|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | $430–$680 |
| Q2 2025 | $440–$700 |
| Q3 2025 | $450–$710 |
| Q4 2025 | $460–$720 |
| Q1 2026 | $455–$715 |
Buyers should lock in Q2 2025 contracts early to avoid peak-season premiums.
FAQ: Air Blown Bitumen Price
Q1: What is the current price of air blown bitumen per ton?
Air blown bitumen currently costs $430–$680 per metric ton FOB, depending on grade, packaging, and origin. Bulk Iranian 85/25 is the cheapest at $430–$470/MT, while European drummed 85/25 is the most expensive at $580–$680/MT.
Q2: Why is air blown bitumen more expensive than penetration grade?
Air blown bitumen costs $20–$60/MT more than penetration grade because it requires an additional 6–12 hour oxidation process at 240–280°C. This step consumes significant energy and air, raising production costs.
Q3: How much does packaging add to air blown bitumen price?
New steel drums add $90–$130/MT, while used drums add $60–$100/MT. Bulk tanker shipment avoids this cost entirely, making it 15–25% cheaper than drummed material on a per-ton basis.
Q4: What is the price difference between Iranian and Korean air blown bitumen?
Iranian 85/25 costs $430–$470/MT FOB, while Korean 90/40 costs $540–$580/MT FOB—a premium of $110–$150/MT. The gap reflects Korea's higher quality consistency, lower wax content, and higher production costs.
Q5: Will air blown bitumen prices go up in 2025?
Yes, prices are expected to rise 4–7% in 2025 due to tighter vacuum residue supply, higher energy costs, and growing roofing demand in Asia. Q4 2025 prices could reach $460–$720/MT FOB.
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Stop guessing at landed costs. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to get real-time air blown bitumen prices based on your grade, volume, origin, and destination. Enter your requirements and receive an instant CIF or FOB quote with full cost breakdown—freight, drums, duties, and port charges included.
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