Liaohe Bitumen Quality
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Liaohe Bitumen Quality: Technical Specifications, Pricing & Export Data
China Liaohe bitumen (produced from CNPC's Liaohe oilfield, primarily at the Liaohe Petrochemical Complex in Panjin, Liaoning) is a penetration-grade paving bitumen with penetration values of 60/70, 80/100, and 100/120 dmm, softening points of 45–52°C, and typical FOB Dalian/Jinzhou pricing of USD 420–480 per metric ton in bulk (as of Q2 2025). It is one of the highest-volume export grades of Chinese bitumen, with typical shipment sizes of 1,000–5,000 MT per vessel and lead times of 10–25 days from order confirmation to port loading.
What Is Liaohe Bitumen and Where Does It Come From?
Liaohe bitumen is a penetration-grade (PEN grade) asphalt refined from crude oil extracted from the Liaohe oilfield — one of China's largest onshore oilfields, located in the Bohai Bay basin of Liaoning Province. The crude's distinctive heavy, naphthenic character yields bitumen with relatively high saturate content and low wax content, which translates into good low-temperature flexibility and aging resistance compared to some Middle Eastern and other Chinese grades.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary refinery | Liaohe Petrochemical Complex, Panjin, Liaoning |
| Parent company | CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) |
| Loading ports | Dalian, Jinzhou, Yingkou (Bohai Sea) |
| Annual export volume (est.) | 400,000–700,000 MT across all grades |
| Main export markets | Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Middle East, South America |
| Standard specification | JTG F40-2004, ASTM D946/D3381, EN 12591 |
- Crude source: Heavy naphthenic crude from Liaohe block
- Refining process: Vacuum distillation + solvent de-asphalting (propane precipitation)
- Grade availability: 60/70, 80/100, 100/120, 160/220 penetration grades
- Packaging options: Bulk (vessel tanker), new steel drums (150 kg / 180 kg), polybags (1 MT jumbo bags), flexitanks
Liaohe Bitumen Specifications: Technical Data Compared to Alternatives
The table below compares Liaohe 60/70 and Liaohe 80/100 against benchmark grades from Shell (Middle East origin) and typical Iranian 60/70 bitumen.
| Test Parameter | Method | Liaohe 60/70 | Liaohe 80/100 | Shell 60/70 (ME) | Iranian 60/70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25°C (dmm) | ASTM D5 | 60–70 | 80–100 | 60–70 | 60–70 |
| Softening point (°C) | ASTM D36 | 49–54 | 45–50 | 49–55 | 49–56 |
| Ductility @25°C (cm) | ASTM D113 | >100 | >100 | >100 | >100 |
| Flash point (°C) | ASTM D92 | >230 | >230 | >250 | >250 |
| Solubility in TCE (%) | ASTM D2042 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.0 |
| Density @25°C (g/cm³) | ASTM D70 | 1.01–1.05 | 1.01–1.05 | 1.02–1.04 | 1.01–1.05 |
| Wax content (%) | DIN 52015 | 1.5–2.5 | 1.5–2.5 | 2.0–3.0 | 2.5–4.0 |
| After TFOT: Pen. ratio (%) | ASTM D5 | ≥60 | ≥58 | ≥60 | ≥55 |
| After TFOT: Ductility @25°C | ASTM D113 | ≥50 | ≥50 | ≥50 | ≥40 |
- Wax content of Liaohe grades is typically lower than Iranian bitumen, which improves low-temperature cracking resistance in cold climates.
- Softening point sits in a slightly narrower band, giving better batch-to-batch consistency for HMA (hot mix asphalt) plants.
- Ductility and penetration retention after TFOT meet or exceed EN 12591 requirements for most European markets.
Quality Testing & Certification Standards
Liaohe bitumen exported from CNPC facilities is tested per batch and certificate of analysis (COA) is issued by the refinery's in-house lab or third-party inspectors (SGS, Intertek, BV). Buyers typically require at least one of the following:
| Certification / Standard | Region | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| JTG F40-2004 | China domestic standard | Every batch |
| ASTM D946 / D3381 | North America, Middle East | Every shipment |
| EN 12591 | EU, UK, Africa | Per order |
| AASHTO M20 / M226 | USA highway projects | Per order |
| Third-party inspection (SGS/Intertek/BV) | Global | On demand (cost USD 500–1,500) |
- Penetration @ 25°C
- Softening point (ring & ball)
- Ductility @ 25°C and 15°C
- Flash point (Cleveland open cup)
- Solubility in trichloroethylene
- Density @ 25°C
- TFOT / RTFOT residue tests
- Wax content (for cold-climate destinations)
Pricing, Shipping and Lead Times
Pricing for Liaohe bitumen is quoted FOB Dalian, FOB Jinzhou, or FOB Yingkou in most export contracts; CIF and CFR quotes are also common for Africa and Southeast Asia.
| Grade | FOB Dalian (USD/MT) | CIF SE Asia (USD/MT) | CIF Africa (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liaohe 60/70 | 430–470 | 465–505 | 495–545 |
| Liaohe 80/100 | 425–465 | 460–500 | 490–540 |
| Liaohe 100/120 | 420–460 | 455–495 | 485–535 |
| Liaohe 160/220 | 415–455 | 450–490 | 480–530 |
Prices vary with Brent crude, freight rates, drum vs bulk, and order volume. Discounts of USD 5–15/MT apply for orders above 5,000 MT.
| Order Size | Packaging | Lead Time (order → load) | Typical Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100–500 MT | Drums / polybags | 7–15 days | Breakbulk / container |
| 1,000–3,000 MT | Flexitank / drums | 10–20 days | Chemical tanker / breakbulk |
| 3,000–5,000 MT | Bulk | 15–25 days | IMO II bitumen tanker |
| 5,000–20,000 MT | Bulk | 25–40 days | Dedicated bitumen carrier |
Payment terms: 30% T/T deposit + 70% against B/L copy, or L/C at sight for orders over USD 500,000.
Liaohe vs. Other Chinese & International Bitumen
Buyers comparing supply sources should weigh Liaohe against Karamay (Xinjiang), Shengli (Shandong), and Middle East grades.
| Origin | Crude Type | Wax (%) | Typical Pen. Stability | Export Price Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liaohe (Panjin) | Heavy naphthenic | 1.5–2.5 | High | Baseline |
| Karamay (Xinjiang) | Paraffinic/naphthenic | 2.0–3.5 | Medium-high | +USD 10–25/MT |
| Shengli (Shandong) | Naphthenic | 2.0–3.0 | Medium | −USD 5–15/MT |
| Iranian | Mixed | 2.5–4.0 | Medium | −USD 15–30/MT |
| Shell ME | Mixed | 2.0–3.0 | High | +USD 40–80/MT |
- Cold climates (Canada, Northern Europe, North China): Liaohe 80/100 or 100/120 for better low-temp performance.
- Hot climates (Middle East, Africa, SE Asia): Liaohe 60/70 for rutting resistance.
- Price-sensitive markets: Shengli or Iranian grades may be cheaper, but check wax and aging performance.
- Specification-driven tenders: Shell or Karamay often preferred where brand history matters — Liaohe is the value alternative.
How to Verify Liaohe Bitumen Quality Before Purchase
1. Request a COA for the specific batch (not a generic spec sheet).
2. Commission pre-shipment inspection by SGS, Intertek, or BV (cost USD 500–1,500, 3–5 days).
3. Request a retained sample (typically 2 kg) shipped by courier before full order.
4. Verify origin documents: Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin (Form E for ASEAN, Form F, etc.), and refinery test report.
5. Check softening point + penetration correlation — anomalies here often signal blending or adulteration.
6. For repeat orders, track batch-to-batch variability; Liaohe's reputation rests on consistency.
FAQ: China Liaohe Bitumen Quality
Q1: Is Liaohe bitumen good quality compared to Middle East bitumen?
Yes. Liaohe bitumen typically has lower wax content (1.5–2.5%) than many Middle East grades, giving better low-temperature performance. It meets ASTM D946, EN 12591, and JTG F40 standards, and is widely accepted in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Q2: What is the price of Liaohe bitumen per ton?
As of Q2 2025, Liaohe 60/70 bitumen is quoted at FOB Dalian USD 430–470 per metric ton in bulk, and CIF Southeast Asia at USD 465–505/MT. Drummed or polybag packaging adds USD 25–45/MT, and prices fluctuate with Brent crude.
Q3: Which grades of Liaohe bitumen are available for export?
Liaohe exports cover penetration grades 60/70, 80/100, 100/120, and 160/220. The 60/70 grade dominates export volume (roughly 60% of shipments), followed by 80/100 at around 25%.
Q4: How long does it take to ship Liaohe bitumen from China?
Lead time from order confirmation to vessel loading is 10–25 days for 1,000–5,000 MT orders from Dalian, Jinzhou, or Yingkou. Ocean transit adds 7–20 days to Southeast Asia and 25–45 days to Africa or South America.
Q5: Can I get third-party inspection for Liaohe bitumen?
Yes. SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas all provide pre-shipment inspection at Chinese ports for USD 500–1,500 per lot, with results typically issued within 3–5 working days. Inspections verify penetration, softening point, ductility, and flash point against the contracted specification.
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