PG 70-10 Bitumen
Last updated: 2026-09-30
PG 70-10 Bitumen: Performance-Graded Asphalt for Hot Climates
PG 70-10 bitumen is a performance-graded asphalt binder designed to withstand pavement temperatures up to 70°C and low temperatures down to -10°C. It is produced to meet AASHTO M 320 / ASTM D6373 standards, typically from Pen 50/70 or Pen 60/70 base stock, and is supplied in bulk at $480–$620 per metric ton FOB (2025 pricing), in 150–1,000 MT shipments with 7–21 day lead times depending on origin. PG 70-10 is the go-to grade for hot-climate highway projects in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, where rutting resistance above 64°C is mandatory.
What Is PG 70-10 Bitumen?
PG 70-10 belongs to the Performance Graded (PG) classification introduced under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). Unlike penetration-grade bitumen (e.g., 60/70), which is specified by consistency at 25°C, PG grades are specified by climate-related performance:
- "70" = the average 7-day maximum pavement design temperature the binder can resist without rutting (in °C)
- "-10" = the minimum pavement design temperature the binder can endure without thermal cracking (in °C)
This makes PG 70-10 ideal for regions such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, and northern India, where summer pavement temperatures routinely exceed 65°C.
| Property | PG 70-10 Requirement | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| High-temp performance grade | 70°C | AASHTO T 315 (DSR) |
| Low-temp performance grade | -10°C | AASHTO T 313 (BBR) |
| Original binder G/sin δ (min) | 1.00 kPa @ 70°C | AASHTO T 315 |
| RTFO residue G/sin δ (min) | 2.20 kPa @ 70°C | AASHTO T 315 |
| PAV residue G·sin δ (max) | 5,000 kPa @ 25°C | AASHTO T 315 |
| Creep stiffness S (max) | 300 MPa @ -10°C | AASHTO T 313 |
| m-value (min) | 0.300 @ -10°C | AASHTO T 313 |
| Flash point (min) | 230°C | AASHTO T 48 |
| Solubility (min) | 99.0% | AASHTO T 44 |
Key takeaway: PG 70-10 is a harder binder than PG 64-22 at high temperatures but is not modified for extreme cold. It is almost always polymer-modified (PMB) or produced from select crude sources to hit the 70°C grade.
PG 70-10 vs. Common Alternatives: Comparison Table
Buyers frequently compare PG 70-10 with penetration grades and other PG binders. The table below summarizes the practical differences.
| Parameter | PG 70-10 | Pen 60/70 | PG 64-22 | PG 76-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spec system | AASHTO M 320 | EN 12591 / ASTM D946 | AASHTO M 320 | AASHTO M 320 |
| High-temp grade | 70°C | ~55–60°C equiv. | 64°C | 76°C |
| Low-temp grade | -10°C | ~-8 to -10°C | -22°C | -10°C |
| Polymer modified? | Usually yes | No | Often no | Yes (required) |
| Best for | Hot-climate highways | General paving | Moderate climates | Extreme rutting zones |
| Typical price (MT, FOB) | $480–$620 | $420–$520 | $450–$560 | $560–$720 |
| Rutting resistance | High | Moderate | Moderate-High | Very High |
| Thermal cracking resistance | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Availability | Moderate | High | High | Lower |
Practical implication: If your project sits in a 65–70°C pavement design zone and the client specifies AASHTO M 320, PG 70-10 is the minimum compliant grade. Choosing Pen 60/70 instead can trigger spec rejection and re-work costs of $15,000–$40,000 per lane-km.
How PG 70-10 Is Specified and Tested
PG grading follows a three-stage testing protocol that simulates the binder's life cycle:
1. Original binder (tank condition): Tested in a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) at 70°C. Must show G/sin δ ≥ 1.00 kPa.
2. RTFO residue (after mixing/placement aging): Simulates short-term aging. Must show G/sin δ ≥ 2.20 kPa.
3. PAV residue (after 5–10 years in service): Simulates long-term aging. Must show G·sin δ ≤ 5,000 kPa at 25°C to resist fatigue cracking.
Additionally, the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) test at -10°C confirms the low-temperature grade.
| Test | Result | Specification | Pass/Fail |
|---|---|---|---|
| G/sin δ @ 70°C (original) | 1.42 kPa | ≥ 1.00 kPa | Pass |
| G/sin δ @ 70°C (RTFO) | 2.85 kPa | ≥ 2.20 kPa | Pass |
| G·sin δ @ 25°C (PAV) | 3,900 kPa | ≤ 5,000 kPa | Pass |
| Stiffness S @ -10°C | 245 MPa | ≤ 300 MPa | Pass |
| m-value @ -10°C | 0.325 | ≥ 0.300 | Pass |
| Flash point | 285°C | ≥ 230°C | Pass |
| Penetration @ 25°C | 42 dmm | Report only | — |
| Softening point | 68°C | Report only | — |
Note: A "true" PG 70-10 usually requires polymer modification (2–3% SBS) or careful crude selection. Always request the full Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch before shipment.
Supply, Pricing, and Logistics Data
PG 70-10 is primarily exported from South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE, with newer supply from Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Most cargoes move in flexitanks (24 MT each) or ISO tanks, or as bulk in bitutankers for volumes above 5,000 MT.
| Origin | Packaging | Price Range (USD/MT) | Min. Order | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Flexitank | $520–$620 | 100 MT | 14–21 days |
| UAE (Jebel Ali) | ISO tank | $490–$560 | 50 MT | 7–10 days |
| Singapore | Bulk/flexitank | $500–$590 | 200 MT | 10–14 days |
| Iraq (Umm Qasr) | Bulk | $480–$540 | 1,000 MT | 12–18 days |
| Thailand | Flexitank | $510–$600 | 100 MT | 14–20 days |
- Crude oil price — bitumen tracks Brent with a 1–2 month lag; a $10/bbl move shifts bitumen ~$35–$45/MT.
- Polymer (SBS) cost — adds $60–$110/MT vs. unmodified binder.
- Freight — flexitank sea freight from Asia to Jebel Ali runs $40–$70/MT.
- Seasonality — prices rise 8–12% in Q2 (pre-summer paving season).
| Mode | Volume per Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flexitank | 24 MT | 100–500 MT orders |
| ISO tank | 20–24 MT | Urgent/partial loads |
| Bitutanker (bulk) | 5,000–30,000 MT | Refinery-direct contracts |
| Drum | 0.18 MT | Small projects/retail |
Rule of thumb: For orders under 500 MT, flexitanks are 10–15% cheaper than ISO tanks on a per-MT landed basis. For repeat annual programs above 10,000 MT, negotiate a bulk COA-linked contract for the best rate.
Applications of PG 70-10
PG 70-10 is chosen where rutting is the dominant distress mode and cold cracking is not a design concern. Typical applications include:
- High-volume highways in GCC countries (e.g., UAE E311, Saudi Highway 10)
- Airport runways and aprons where jet blast and solar load push surface temps above 65°C
- Container terminals and port yards subject to heavy static loads
- Urban arterials in Cairo, Riyadh, Doha, and Delhi NCR
- Bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes with channelized traffic
| Layer | Typical PG 70-10 Binder Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surface course (SMA) | 6.0–7.0% | Best rutting performance |
| Surface course (dense-graded) | 4.5–5.5% | Standard wearing course |
| Binder course | 4.0–5.0% | Moderate traffic |
| Base course | 3.8–4.5% | Rarely specified |
Engineering tip: Pair PG 70-10 with SBS modification and a WMA additive if you need both rutting and lower mixing temperatures (~140–150°C vs. 160–165°C), reducing fuel costs by 15–20%.
FAQ: PG 70-10 Bitumen
Q1: What does "PG 70-10" mean?
PG 70-10 is a performance-graded bitumen where "70" is the maximum pavement service temperature (°C) it resists without rutting, and "-10" is the minimum temperature (°C) it resists without thermal cracking. It conforms to AASHTO M 320 and ASTM D6373.
Q2: How much does PG 70-10 cost per ton in 2025?
FOB prices range from $480 to $620 per metric ton, depending on origin, packaging, and polymer modification. Landed prices in the GCC or India typically add $40–$90/MT for freight and handling.
Q3: Is PG 70-10 the same as Pen 60/70?
No. Pen 60/70 is graded by needle penetration at 25°C, while PG 70-10 is graded by rutting and cracking performance. PG 70-10 is harder at high temperatures and usually polymer-modified, making it more suitable for hot climates.
Q4: What is the minimum order quantity for PG 70-10?
Standard flexitank orders start at 24 MT (one container), but most suppliers require 100–200 MT for competitive pricing. Bulk bitutanker contracts typically start at 5,000 MT.
Q5: Which countries produce PG 70-10 bitumen?
Major producers include South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. South Korea and Singapore dominate Asian supply, while UAE and Iraq serve Middle East and African markets.
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