Bitumen for Paint Manufacturing
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen for Paint Manufacturing
Bitumen for paint is a penetration-grade or oxidized bitumen used as a black pigment and binder in protective coatings, with the most common grade being 10/20 penetration bitumen or 90/40 oxidized bitumen, priced at $420–$560 per metric ton FOB as of 2024. A typical bitumen-based paint formulation contains 30–50% bitumen by weight, and a standard 20-ton container load delivers enough raw material to produce roughly 40,000–60,000 liters of finished bitumen paint. Lead times from Gulf and Asian refineries to European or African ports average 18–30 days.
What Is Bitumen for Paint?
Bitumen paint (also called asphalt paint or bituminous coating) is a solvent-based protective coating made from bitumen dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents such as white spirit, xylene, or toluene. Unlike bitumen used in road construction (PG 64-22, 60/70 pen), the paint-grade product must meet stricter requirements for purity, solubility, and film-forming behavior.
| Property | Paint-Grade Bitumen | Road-Grade Bitumen |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration (25°C, 0.1mm) | 10–40 | 50–200 |
| Softening point (°C) | 85–115 | 45–55 |
| Solubility in CS₂ (%) | ≥99.5 | ≥99.0 |
| Ash content (%) | ≤0.5 | ≤1.0 |
| Typical price (USD/MT FOB) | $420–$560 | $380–$470 |
| Primary use | Coatings, paints | Asphalt paving |
The higher softening point and lower penetration of paint-grade bitumen produce a harder, more durable dry film with better resistance to water, acids, and soil-borne bacteria.
- Oxidized bitumen 90/40 — softening point 90°C, penetration 40; most common for industrial black paint
- Oxidized bitumen 115/15 — high softening point for anti-corrosion pipe coatings
- Penetration grade 10/20 — used in solvent-cut primers
- Cutback bitumen MC-30 / SC-800 — pre-dissolved in solvent, ready for blending
- Gilsonite (natural asphalt) — blended at 5–15% to boost hardness and gloss
Market Data and Pricing for Bitumen for Paint (2024)
Global demand for coating-grade bitumen sits at approximately 1.8–2.2 million metric tons per year, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 47% of consumption. Prices vary sharply by grade, origin, and packaging.
| Grade | Origin | Packaging | Price (USD/MT FOB) | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidized 90/40 | Iran | 25kg bags | $430–$490 | 20 MT |
| Oxidized 90/40 | UAE | 180kg drums | $470–$540 | 18 MT |
| Oxidized 115/15 | China | 25kg bags | $450–$510 | 20 MT |
| Pen 10/20 | Saudi Arabia | Bulk/drums | $420–$480 | 20 MT |
| Cutback MC-30 | Egypt | 200L drums | $520–$610 | 16 MT |
| Gilsonite | USA | 25kg bags | $780–$950 | 5 MT |
Freight benchmarks (2024):
- Iran → India (Bandar Abbas to Nhava Sheva): $55–$75/MT, 8–12 days
- UAE → Nigeria (Jebel Ali to Lagos): $120–$160/MT, 22–28 days
- China → Brazil (Shanghai to Santos): $95–$140/MT, 30–38 days
Buyers ordering full container loads (FCL) of 18–20 MT reduce per-unit logistics cost by 12–18% versus LCL shipments.
How Bitumen Paint Is Manufactured
Production follows a fairly simple batch process, but temperature control is critical.
| Stage | Temperature | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitumen melting | 160–180°C | 2–3 hours | Jacketed kettle |
| Solvent addition | 40–60°C | 30–60 min | Agitator tank |
| Additive mixing | 50–70°C | 20–40 min | High-shear mixer |
| Filtration | Ambient | Continuous | 100–200 mesh |
| Filling | Ambient | — | Drum/filling line |
Typical formulation (by weight):
- Bitumen (oxidized 90/40): 40%
- White spirit / xylene: 52%
- Aluminium stearate or clay thickener: 4%
- Driers (cobalt/manganese): 2%
- Anti-skinning agent: 2%
Total batch cycle time averages 4–6 hours, and a 5,000-liter reactor produces about 4,200 liters of finished paint per shift.
- Viscosity (Ford cup #4): 40–90 seconds at 25°C
- Drying time (touch dry): 2–4 hours at 20°C
- Full cure: 24–48 hours
- Coverage: 4–6 m² per liter per coat
- Salt spray resistance: 500+ hours (ASTM B117)
Sourcing and Buyer Considerations
Choosing the right supplier is the single biggest factor in finished-paint quality. Key checks:
1. Solubility test — demand a CS₂ solubility certificate of ≥99.5%
2. Batch consistency — request penetration and softening point data for at least 3 consecutive lots
3. Packaging — 25kg PP bags with PE liner reduce leakage; 180kg steel drums suit hot-climate ports
4. Documentation — MSDS, COA, and ISO 9001 certificate are non-negotiable for EU/US import
5. Payment terms — LC at sight is standard; 30% TT advance is common for first orders
Suppliers in Iran, UAE, and China dominate the export market for paint-grade oxidized bitumen. Iranian material usually offers the best price-to-quality ratio, while UAE suppliers provide faster delivery to Africa and the Middle East.
FAQ: Bitumen for Paint
What grade of bitumen is best for paint manufacturing?
Oxidized bitumen 90/40 is the industry standard for black protective paint because its 90°C softening point and 40 penetration value deliver a hard, weather-resistant film. For high-temperature pipe coatings, 115/15 is preferred. Penetration grade 10/20 works well for solvent-thinned primers.
How much does bitumen for paint cost per ton?
Paint-grade oxidized bitumen ranges from $420 to $560 per metric ton FOB, depending on grade, origin, and packaging. Iranian 90/40 in 25kg bags is typically the cheapest at $430–$490/MT, while cutback grades and Gilsonite cost significantly more.
What percentage of bitumen is in bitumen paint?
Most formulations use 30–50% bitumen by weight, with the remaining 50–70% made up of solvents, thickeners, and driers. Higher bitumen content improves film thickness and durability but slows drying time and raises raw material cost per liter.
How long does it take to receive a bitumen order for paint production?
Production and loading take 7–14 days after order confirmation, and ocean transit adds 8–38 days depending on the route. Total lead time from PO to delivery is typically 20–45 days for container shipments.
Can penetration-grade bitumen be used directly in paint?
Yes, but it must first be dissolved in solvent or blended with oxidized grades to raise the softening point. Using straight 60/70 penetration bitumen alone produces a soft film that fails in hot climates, so most manufacturers blend it with oxidized bitumen or Gilsonite at 10–20%.
Calculate Your Bitumen Paint Costs with 6Tar
Before you commit to a supplier, run the numbers. The 6Tar cost calculator lets you input grade, origin, volume, packaging, and destination port to get an instant landed cost per ton — including freight, insurance, and duties. Exporters and paint manufacturers using 6Tar report 8–15% savings on first-year procurement by comparing suppliers side by side. Start your quote today and lock in the best price for your next bitumen paint production run.