Zhenhai Refining Bitumen
Last updated: 2026-09-30
China Zhenhai Bitumen: Specifications, Pricing, and Export Data (2025)
China Zhenhai bitumen refers to penetration-grade and modified asphalt produced by Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company, one of Asia's largest bitumen producers, with an annual asphalt capacity exceeding 2.5 million metric tons. Standard export grades include AH-70, AH-90, and PG 64-22, typically priced between $430–$520 per metric ton FOB Ningbo in 2025, depending on grade, season, and crude feedstock economics. The refinery sits adjacent to the Ningbo-Zhoushan port complex, enabling bulk vessel loading within 7–14 days of order confirmation.
This article breaks down Zhenhai bitumen's technical specifications, price benchmarks, supply logistics, and how it compares to competing Chinese and Middle Eastern sources — with structured data built for quick reference.
What Is Zhenhai Bitumen and Who Produces It?
Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company (ZRCC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinopec, located in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. It operates one of China's largest crude distillation and asphalt blowing complexes, processing mainly Middle Eastern crude (Saudi Arab Light, Kuwait Export Blend) which yields bitumen with low wax content and strong aging resistance.
Key production facts:
- Annual bitumen capacity: ~2.5 million metric tons
- Primary export grades: AH-70, AH-90, AH-110, PG 64-22, PG 70-22, SBS-modified I-C/I-D
- Packaging: bulk vessel, 150 kg drums, 1 MT jumbo bags, flexitanks
- Nearest ports: Ningbo-Zhoushan (bulk), Shanghai (container/drum)
- Typical lead time: 7–14 days (bulk), 14–21 days (drummed/containerized)
- Certifications: ISO 9001, ASTM/EN test reports issued per batch
Zhenhai bitumen is widely used in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America for highway surface courses, airport runways, and waterproofing applications.
Zhenhai Bitumen Specifications vs. Standard Grades
The table below summarizes typical test values for Zhenhai AH-70 and AH-90 against ASTM D946 / JTG F40 requirements.
| Property | Test Method | AH-70 (Zhenhai) | AH-90 (Zhenhai) | Standard Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25°C (0.1mm) | ASTM D5 | 60–70 | 80–100 | 60–70 / 80–100 |
| Softening Point (°C) | ASTM D36 | 46–52 | 44–49 | ≥46 / ≥44 |
| Ductility @15°C (cm) | ASTM D113 | >100 | >100 | ≥100 |
| Flash Point (°C) | ASTM D92 | >260 | >250 | ≥230 |
| Solubility in TCE (%) | ASTM D2042 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.0 |
| Density @25°C (g/cm³) | ASTM D70 | 1.01–1.05 | 1.01–1.05 | Report |
| Wax Content (%) | DIN 52015 | <2.0 | <2.2 | ≤3.0 |
| After TFOT: Pen. Ratio (%) | ASTM D1754 | ≥65 | ≥65 | ≥60 |
Why this matters: Low wax content (<2%) translates to better low-temperature cracking resistance, which is a common failure point for buyers in cold-climate markets such as Central Asia and Northern China.
Zhenhai Bitumen Price Benchmarks (2025)
Prices vary with crude oil (Brent), freight, and seasonal demand (peak: March–June, September–November). The following is a reference snapshot for FOB Ningbo, updated quarterly.
| Grade | FOB Ningbo (USD/MT) | CFR Southeast Asia | CFR East Africa | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AH-70 bulk | $455–$480 | $475–$505 | $495–$530 | Most exported grade |
| AH-90 bulk | $450–$475 | $470–$500 | $490–$525 | Slightly cheaper |
| PG 64-22 | $480–$510 | $500–$535 | $520–$560 | Performance grade |
| SBS I-C (modified) | $620–$680 | $650–$720 | $680–$760 | Polymer-modified |
| Drummed AH-70 | +$35–$50/MT | — | — | Includes drum + stuffing |
| Flexitank AH-70 | +$25–$40/MT | — | — | 24 MT per flexitank |
Price drivers to watch:
- Brent crude — a $10/bbl move shifts bitumen ~$30–$40/MT
- Ningbo port congestion — can add 3–7 days and $5–$10/MT in demurrage exposure
- Vessel size — 3,000–10,000 MT handysize is most economical; 30,000 MT+ needs Zhejiang deepwater berths
- Seasonality — Q2 and Q4 pricing typically runs 4–8% higher than Q1/Q3
For live landed-cost math including freight, insurance, and import duty, use the 6Tar cost calculator (see closing section).
How Zhenhai Bitumen Compares to Other Chinese and Global Sources
Buyers frequently weigh Zhenhai against Karamay (CNPC), CNOOC Taizhou, SK Energy (Korea), and Iran/ UAE sources. Here's a structured comparison.
| Supplier / Origin | Annual Capacity | Wax Content | FOB Price (AH-70) | Typical Lead Time | Export Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinopec Zhenhai | ~2.5M MT | <2.0% | $455–$480 | 7–14 days | Strong (Sinopec Int'l) |
| CNPC Karamay | ~1.8M MT | <2.5% | $450–$475 | 10–18 days | Strong |
| CNOOC Taizhou | ~1.2M MT | <2.2% | $460–$485 | 8–15 days | Moderate |
| SK Energy (Korea) | ~1.0M MT | <1.8% | $520–$560 | 5–10 days | Strong |
| Iran (various) | ~4M MT | 2–4% | $390–$430 | 15–30 days | Sanctions risk |
| UAE (Fujairah blends) | N/A | Varies | $490–$540 | 5–12 days | Strong |
Takeaways:
- Zhenhai offers the best balance of scale, quality consistency, and documentation reliability among Chinese producers.
- Korean SK bitumen commands a $50–$80/MT premium for lower wax and faster delivery.
- Iranian bitumen is cheapest but carries payment, insurance, and sanction-compliance risks that often erase the price advantage.
- For projects requiring SBS-modified or PG-grade binders, Zhenhai's in-house modification lines provide more consistent polymer dispersion than third-party blenders.
Logistics, MOQ, and Payment Terms for Zhenhai Bitumen Exports
Understanding the commercial mechanics saves buyers both time and money.
Order parameters:
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ):
- Bulk vessel: 3,000 MT (handysize); 1,000 MT possible with co-loading
- Flexitank: 24 MT per unit, minimum 1 unit
- Drums: 20 MT per 20'FCL (80 drums × 150 kg + pallets)
- Port of loading: Ningbo-Zhoushan (bulk), Shanghai (container)
- Incoterms supported: FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP
- Payment terms:
- T/T: 30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy
- L/C at sight (preferred by Sinopec International for orders >1,000 MT)
- D/P and open account only for established repeat buyers
Typical export timeline (bulk, 5,000 MT order):
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Order confirmation & contract | 1–3 days |
| L/C issuance or deposit | 2–5 days |
| Production allocation & QC testing | 3–5 days |
| Loading at Ningbo berth | 1–2 days |
| B/L issuance & docs | 2–4 days |
| Ocean transit (SE Asia) | 5–10 days |
| Ocean transit (E. Africa) | 18–28 days |
| Ocean transit (S. America) | 30–45 days |
Documentation package: Commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, Certificate of Origin (Form E for ASEAN, Form B for general), third-party inspection (SGS/BV/CCIC), MSDS, and batch test report.
Quality Control and Third-Party Inspection
Zhenhai bitumen is tested at three checkpoints: refinery lab → pre-loading retained sample → independent third-party at port.
Recommended inspection protocol:
- Pre-shipment: SGS or BV sampling at Ningbo tank farm; test penetration, softening point, ductility, flash point
- During loading: CCIC or Intertek tank-to-vessel verification
- Post-arrival: Buyer's local lab re-test; retain sealed sample for 12 months
- Dispute resolution: Most Sinopec contracts specify CIQ/CCIC as binding, with arbitration in Hong Kong (HKIAC) or Singapore (SIAC)
Common rejection triggers:
- Penetration drift >5 units from spec
- Softening point below minimum by >2°C
- Visible moisture/foam in drums
- Wax content above 3.0%
Because ZRCC runs continuous QC and issues batch test reports, rejection rates on Zhenhai exports are reported below 1.5% industry-wide — significantly lower than spot-market Iranian or unbranded Chinese cargoes.
FAQ: China Zhenhai Bitumen
Q1: What is the current price of Zhenhai bitumen?
As of 2025, AH-70 bulk FOB Ningbo ranges $455–$480 per metric ton, while AH-90 is slightly lower at $450–$475. Prices move with Brent crude and are typically 4–8% higher in peak construction seasons.
Q2: What is the difference between Zhenhai AH-70 and AH-90 bitumen?
AH-70 has a penetration of 60–70 (0.1mm) and a softening point of 46–52°C, making it suitable for hot climates and heavy traffic. AH-90 is softer with 80–100 penetration and 44–49°C softening point, better for colder regions and lower-stress pavements.
Q3: What is the minimum order quantity for Zhenhai bitumen exports?
Bulk vessel orders typically start at 3,000 MT (handysize), though co-loading can lower this to 1,000 MT. Flexitank buyers can order as little as 24 MT per unit, and drummed orders ship at 20 MT per 20-foot container.
Q4: How long does it take to ship Zhenhai bitumen to Southeast Asia?
Loading at Ningbo takes 1–2 days after production allocation, and ocean transit to Southeast Asian ports ranges 5–10 days. Total door-to-port time is usually 14–21 days from order confirmation.
Q5: Is Zhenhai bitumen better than Iranian bitumen?
Zhenhai bitumen has lower wax content (<2%), consistent batch QC, and clean export documentation, which reduces downstream risk. Iranian bitumen is $40–$70/MT cheaper but carries sanctions, payment, and inspection uncertainty that often costs more than the savings.
Calculate Your Zhenhai Bitumen Landed Cost with 6Tar
Before you commit to an order, run the numbers. The 6Tar cost calculator lets you input grade, volume, Incoterms, destination port, and current freight rates to get an instant landed cost per metric ton — including FOB price, ocean freight, insurance, import duty, port charges, and inland delivery.
- ✅ Real-time FOB and CFR benchmarks
- ✅ Supports bulk, flexitank, and drummed configurations
- ✅ Multi-currency output (USD, EUR, CNY, and more)
- ✅ Export-ready cost sheet for your tender or procurement file
Whether you're comparing Zhenhai AH-70 against Karamay or SK Energy, or building a 12-month supply budget, the 6Tar calculator gives you a defensible number in under 60 seconds.
→ Open the 6Tar cost calculator and price your next Zhenhai bitumen cargo today.