CRMB 55 Bitumen Specification
Last updated: 2026-09-30
CRMB 55 Bitumen Specification: Direct Answer
CRMB 55 (Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen 55) is a polymer-modified bitumen manufactured by blending 55% penetration-grade base bitumen with 10–12% crumb rubber powder derived from scrap tyres. It conforms to IS 15462:2019 and ASTM D6114, delivering a penetration value of 50–70 dmm at 25°C, a softening point of 50–60°C, and elastic recovery above 50%. Typical export pricing ranges from USD 480–560 per metric ton FOB, depending on crumb rubber mesh size, base bitumen grade, and order volume (minimum economically viable shipment: 20 MT in flexitanks).
What Is CRMB 55 Bitumen?
CRMB 55 is a crumb rubber modified bitumen engineered for road construction in high-temperature and heavy-traffic environments. The "55" refers to the nominal penetration grade of the base bitumen (VG-30 or 60/70 pen grade) before modification, though finished product penetration must meet the 50–70 dmm window specified in IS 15462.
The modification process involves:
- Base bitumen selection: VG-30 or 60/70 penetration grade bitumen as the continuous phase
- Crumb rubber addition: 10–12% by weight of the total blend, typically 30–80 mesh particle size
- Processing conditions: High-shear mixing at 180–200°C for 45–90 minutes
- Compatibility agents: 0.5–2% aromatic oils or stabilizers to prevent phase separation
Crumb rubber is sourced primarily from end-of-life tyres, making CRMB 55 a sustainability-driven product — every metric ton of CRMB 55 diverts approximately 100–120 scrap tyres from landfills.
CRMB 55 Technical Specifications (IS 15462:2019)
The following table presents the full specification framework for CRMB 55 under Indian Standard IS 15462:2019, which is the most widely referenced standard for export contracts.
| Property | Test Method | Specification (CRMB 55) | Typical Export Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25°C, 100g, 5s | IS 1203 / ASTM D5 | 50–70 dmm | 58–65 dmm |
| Softening Point (R&B) | IS 1205 / ASTM D36 | 50–60°C | 54–57°C |
| Elastic Recovery at 15°C | IS 15462 Annex | ≥ 50% | 55–62% |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | IS 1209 / ASTM D92 | ≥ 220°C | 240–255°C |
| Viscosity at 150°C | IS 1206 (Part 2) | 300–900 poise | 450–700 poise |
| Specific Gravity at 27°C | IS 1202 | 1.01–1.06 | 1.02–1.04 |
| Water Content | IS 1211 | ≤ 0.5% | 0.1–0.3% |
| Crumb Rubber Content | IS 15462 | 10–12% | 10–11% |
| Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) — retained penetration | IS 9382 | ≥ 60% of original | 65–72% |
| Ductility at 15°C | IS 1208 | ≥ 25 cm | 28–35 cm |
| Storage Stability (48h at 163°C) | IS 15462 | ≤ 2.5°C difference | 1.2–2.0°C |
Key performance parameters for international buyers:
- PG Grading equivalence: CRMB 55 typically maps to Performance Grade PG 64-22 or PG 70-22 depending on the base binder
- Mesh size impact: 30-mesh crumb rubber yields higher viscosity; 80-mesh provides better storage stability
- Shelf life: 6–12 months in original packaging; requires reheating to 160–170°C before application
CRMB 55 vs Alternative Modified Bitumens
Buyers frequently compare CRMB 55 against PMB 40, CRMB 60, and neat bitumen. The table below benchmarks critical differentiators.
| Parameter | CRMB 55 | PMB 40 (SBS) | CRMB 60 | VG-30 (Neat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration (dmm) | 50–70 | 40–60 | 50–70 | 45–70 |
| Softening Point (°C) | 50–60 | 55–65 | 55–65 | 47–55 |
| Elastic Recovery (%) | ≥ 50 | ≥ 75 | ≥ 55 | N/A |
| Crumb Rubber Content (%) | 10–12 | 0% | 10–12 | 0% |
| Approx. Cost (USD/MT FOB) | 480–560 | 620–750 | 510–590 | 420–470 |
| CO₂ Footprint Reduction | High | Low | High | Baseline |
| Best Application | Arterial roads, highways | Bridges, airfields | Expressways | Rural roads |
| Storage Stability | Moderate | Excellent | Moderate | Excellent |
| Rutting Resistance at 60°C | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
Cost-benefit insight: CRMB 55 delivers 85–90% of the rutting performance of SBS-modified PMB 40 at approximately 75% of the cost, making it the preferred choice for cost-sensitive infrastructure projects in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
- CRMB 55: Higher penetration (50–70 dmm) → better flexibility at low temperatures → suited to regions with moderate winters
- CRMB 60: Lower penetration, higher softening point (55–65°C) → superior rutting resistance → suited to hot climates and heavy axle loads
- Price delta: CRMB 60 commands a USD 25–40 per MT premium over CRMB 55
Production Process and Quality Control
Manufacturing CRMB 55 requires precise process control. Deviations in crumb rubber dosage or mixing temperature directly affect elastic recovery and storage stability — the two parameters most frequently flagged in third-party inspection reports.
Production workflow:
1. Base bitumen heating: Raise VG-30 to 160–170°C in a jacketed tank
2. Crumb rubber dosing: Add 10–12% crumb rubber (30–80 mesh) via calibrated screw feeder
3. High-shear mixing: 45–90 minutes at 180–200°C, 3,000–6,000 RPM
4. Compatibility addition: Introduce 0.5–2% aromatic extender oil
5. Digestion: Hold at 175–185°C for 30–60 minutes under low shear
6. Quality testing: Sample for penetration, softening point, elastic recovery
7. Filling: Discharge at 160–170°C into drums, bulk tanks, or flexitanks
Critical QC checkpoints:
- Batch consistency: Penetration variance must stay within ±5 dmm across batches
- Storage stability testing: 48-hour tube test at 163°C; top-bottom softening point differential ≤ 2.5°C
- Third-party inspection: SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas pre-shipment sampling
- Traceability: Crumb rubber source documentation for sustainability reporting (EPR compliance)
Common failure modes and mitigation:
| Defect | Root Cause | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Phase separation | Insufficient mixing time | Extend digestion to 60+ min |
| Low elastic recovery | Crumb rubber < 10% | Enforce minimum 10.5% dosage |
| High penetration | Base bitumen too soft | Use VG-30, not VG-10 |
| Gel formation | Overheating > 210°C | Cap mixing temp at 200°C |
Packaging, Logistics, and Pricing (2025)
CRMB 55 ships in three primary formats, each with distinct cost and handling profiles. Export logistics from Indian ports (Kandla, Mundra, JNPT) to Southeast Asia and Africa typically run 12–28 days transit.
| Packaging Format | Net Weight | Approx. Cost (USD/MT) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Drum (new) | 150–180 kg | 520–560 FOB | Small orders, remote sites |
| Steel Drum (used) | 150–180 kg | 480–510 FOB | Cost-sensitive buyers |
| Flexitank (20ft) | 20–22 MT | 490–530 FOB | Bulk buyers, tank farms |
| Bitutank (ISO) | 20–24 MT | 500–540 FOB | Long-haul sea freight |
| Bulk Vessel | 500+ MT | 460–490 FOB | Refineries, large projects |
2025 pricing drivers:
- Crumb rubber feedstock: USD 180–260 per MT (varies by mesh and region)
- Base bitumen (VG-30): USD 420–480 per MT (tracks crude oil benchmarks)
- Freight: USD 40–90 per MT depending on destination and volume
- Export duty/taxes: Nil on modified bitumen under HS Code 2713.20 in most FTAs
Order economics:
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 20 MT (one flexitank) for most exporters
- Lead time: 10–18 days from PO to port dispatch
- Payment terms: 30% advance + 70% against BL copy; LC at sight for orders above 100 MT
- Annual contract discount: 3–7% for committed volumes above 500 MT/year
HS Code and documentation:
- HS Code: 2713.20.00 (petroleum bitumen, modified)
- Required documents: Commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Analysis, MSDS, Certificate of Origin
- Compliance: REACH registration for EU shipments; EPR documentation for sustainability claims
FAQ: CRMB 55 Bitumen
Q1: What is the penetration value of CRMB 55?
CRMB 55 requires a penetration value of 50–70 dmm at 25°C under IS 15462:2019, with typical production values landing between 58–65 dmm. This range balances flexibility against rutting resistance for arterial road applications.
Q2: How much crumb rubber is in CRMB 55?
CRMB 55 contains 10–12% crumb rubber by weight of the total blend, sourced from scrap tyres typically ground to 30–80 mesh. One metric ton of CRMB 55 consumes approximately 100–120 end-of-life tyres.
Q3: What is the price of CRMB 55 per ton in 2025?
CRMB 55 exports at USD 480–560 per metric ton FOB India in 2025, depending on packaging, volume, and destination. Flexitank shipments (20–22 MT) typically price at USD 490–530 per MT, while bulk vessel orders above 500 MT can reach USD 460–490 per MT.
Q4: What is the difference between CRMB 55 and CRMB 60?
CRMB 60 has a higher softening point (55–65°C vs 50–60°C) and commands a USD 25–40 per MT premium over CRMB 55. CRMB 55 suits moderate climates with better low-temperature flexibility, while CRMB 60 targets hot climates and heavy axle loads.
Q5: How long can CRMB 55 be stored?
CRMB 55 has a shelf life of 6–12 months in unopened steel drums or sealed tanks, provided storage stays below 40°C ambient. Before application, it must be reheated to 160–170°C and agitated to reverse any settling, with storage stability verified at ≤ 2.5°C top-bottom differential.
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