CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion Price
Last updated: 2026-10-01
CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion Price: 2025 Export Price Guide
CSS-1 bitumen emulsion prices range from $280 to $420 per metric ton FOB (Free On Board), depending on the base asphalt source, solid content (typically 57%–65%), destination port, and order volume. For a standard 20-foot flexitank shipment of 20–24 metric tons, buyers should budget approximately $5,600 to $10,080 per container. Bulk vessel shipments of 500+ MT typically secure a 6%–12% discount versus single-container pricing, with delivery lead times of 14–28 days from major Asian and Middle Eastern export hubs.
What Is CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion?
CSS-1 is a cationic slow-setting (CSS) bitumen emulsion graded under ASTM D2397 and AASHTO M208 standards. The "CSS" designation means Cationic Slow-Setting, and "1" refers to the viscosity grade — a relatively thin emulsion designed for penetration and mixing applications.
Key specifications:
| Property | Typical Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Residue (bitumen content) | 57% min | ASTM D6997 |
| Viscosity (Saybolt Furol, 25°C) | 20–100 seconds | ASTM D7496 |
| Settlement, 5 days | ≤5% | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge | Positive (cationic) | ASTM D7402 |
| pH value | 2.0–6.5 | ASTM E70 |
| Storage stability | ≤1% (24 hr) | ASTM D6930 |
| Sieve test | ≤0.1% | ASTM D6933 |
CSS-1 is primarily used for tack coats, fog seals, dust control, and cold in-place recycling. Because it is slow-setting, it penetrates aggregate surfaces before breaking — making it ideal for dense-graded surfaces where rapid curing would be counterproductive.
Price-relevant takeaway: Because CSS-1 requires higher emulsifier content (0.8%–1.5% of emulsion weight) than rapid-setting grades, its price is typically $15–$35 per ton higher than CRS-2 or RS-1 emulsions from the same supplier.
CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion Price Table (2025, FOB)
The following table reflects Q1–Q2 2025 exporter pricing from major supply regions. Prices are in USD per metric ton, FOB port of loading.
| Region / Port | 1 Container (20–24 MT) | 5 Containers | Bulk Vessel (500+ MT) | Base Bitumen Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali, UAE | $340–$380 | $325–$360 | $295–$330 | Pen 60/70 |
| Bandar Abbas, Iran | $290–$330 | $275–$310 | $255–$285 | Pen 60/70 |
| Singapore | $360–$410 | $345–$390 | $320–$365 | Pen 60/70 |
| Johor, Malaysia | $330–$375 | $315–$355 | $290–$335 | Pen 60/70 |
| Ningbo, China | $310–$355 | $295–$340 | $270–$315 | Pen 60/70 |
| Mumbai, India | $300–$345 | $285–$330 | $260–$300 | Pen 60/70 |
| Houston, USA | $390–$440 | $375–$425 | $350–$400 | PG 64-22 base |
Notes on the table:
- FOB pricing excludes freight, insurance, and destination port charges.
- Iran-origin product carries the lowest sticker price but faces sanctions-related payment and shipping friction that can add $20–$50/MT in intermediary costs.
- US-origin CSS-1 commands a premium due to tighter ASTM compliance documentation and higher domestic base oil costs.
- Freight add-on: Expect $40–$90 per MT for container freight to African, South Asian, or Latin American ports. Bulk vessel freight can drop to $25–$45 per MT on 5,000+ MT parcels.
Understanding what drives CSS-1 pricing helps buyers negotiate:
| Cost Component | Share of Total Price | 2025 Range (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|
| Base bitumen (penetration grade) | 65%–72% | $185–$290 |
| Emulsifier (cationic surfactant) | 8%–12% | $25–$48 |
| Water + processing | 4%–6% | $12–$24 |
| Packaging (flexitank/drum) | 3%–6% | $9–$24 |
| Blending & QC | 2%–4% | $6–$16 |
| Margin | 6%–10% | $18–$40 |
Because base bitumen accounts for roughly two-thirds of the price, CSS-1 quotes move directly with penetration-grade benchmarks. A $10/MT move in Pen 60/70 typically translates into a $6.50–$7.50/MT move in CSS-1.
CSS-1 vs. Other Cationic Emulsions: Price & Application Comparison
Buyers often compare CSS-1 against adjacent grades. Here's how they stack up on price and use case:
| Grade | Setting Speed | Residue | 2025 Price (USD/MT, FOB) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSS-1 | Slow | 57% min | $290–$420 | Tack coat, fog seal, recycling |
| CSS-1h | Slow | 65% min | $320–$455 | Higher-residue tack, slurry |
| CRS-2 | Rapid | 65% min | $310–$440 | Chip seal, surface dressing |
| RS-1 | Rapid | 55% min | $280–$400 | Penetration macadam |
| SS-1 | Slow (anionic) | 57% min | $275–$395 | Dust control, soil stabilization |
| CMS-2 | Medium | 65% min | $315–$445 | Micro-surfacing, slurry seal |
Decision guide:
- Choose CSS-1 when you need penetration before break and compatibility with positive-charge aggregates (limestone, dolomite).
- Choose CSS-1h when you need more residual bitumen per ton applied — the higher residue cuts applied cost per square meter by 8%–14% despite the higher sticker price.
- Choose CRS-2 for chip seals where fast curing is essential.
- Choose SS-1 only for negatively charged aggregates (silica, granite) or where cationic emulsifiers are unavailable.
Cost-per-residue comparison: Because CSS-1 delivers 57% residue, the effective cost per ton of residual bitumen is roughly $509–$737 ($290 ÷ 0.57 to $420 ÷ 0.57). CSS-1h at $320–$455 with 65% residue costs $492–$700 per residual ton — often the better economic choice for large tack coat programs.
What Drives CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion Prices?
Five factors explain 80%+ of CSS-1 price variance across suppliers and seasons:
Crude oil and vacuum residue prices set the floor. When Brent crude moves ±$10/barrel, penetration-grade bitumen typically moves ±$25–$35/MT, pulling CSS-1 along with it.
Cationic emulsifiers (typically tallow diamine or amidoamine based) cost $2,200–$3,800 per MT. A formulation using 1.2% emulsifier instead of 0.9% adds roughly $9–$15/MT to the finished emulsion cost.
- Flexitank (20–24 MT): Highest per-unit cost, best flexibility.
- ISO tank (20–24 MT): Similar cost, easier cleaning, preferred for food-grade-adjacent logistics.
- Bulk vessel (500+ MT): Lowest per-unit cost, requires storage tanks at destination.
- Drums (200 kg): Adds $25–$45/MT versus flexitank but needs no specialized unloading equipment.
Bitumen emulsion demand peaks in Q2–Q3 (April–September) in the Northern Hemisphere. Prices in January–March can run 4%–8% lower than peak-season quotes. Buyers in tropical markets (West Africa, South Asia) should note that rainy season scheduling affects both price and delivery reliability.
Orders requiring ASTM D2397 certification, third-party inspection (SGS/Intertek), or CE marking add $8–$20/MT. Sanctions compliance and letters of credit add administrative cost, particularly for Iran-origin material.
Regional Price Snapshot: What Buyers Actually Pay
Landed cost matters more than FOB. This table estimates delivered cost per MT to key import markets:
| Destination | Origin | FOB (USD/MT) | Freight + Insurance | Landed Cost (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos, Nigeria | Jebel Ali | $360 | $75 | $435–$465 |
| Mumbai, India | Bandar Abbas | $310 | $35 | $345–$370 |
| Jakarta, Indonesia | Singapore | $385 | $45 | $430–$460 |
| Santos, Brazil | Houston | $415 | $85 | $500–$530 |
| Mombasa, Kenya | Jebel Ali | $360 | $65 | $425–$450 |
| Karachi, Pakistan | Bandar Abbas | $310 | $30 | $340–$365 |
| Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam | Johor | $355 | $40 | $395–$420 |
Reading the table: African and Latin American buyers pay the highest landed costs due to long-haul freight. South Asian buyers importing from Iran or the Gulf enjoy the lowest landed costs — often $100–$150/MT below American or European buyers.
How to Get the Best CSS-1 Price: 6 Procurement Tactics
1. Buy in bulk vessel parcels (500+ MT). This alone cuts $30–$45/MT versus single containers.
2. Lock in Q1 pricing. January–March quotes average 4%–8% below peak-season rates.
3. Specify flexitank over drums when you have unloading pumps. Saves $25–$45/MT.
4. Source Pen 60/70 from the same region as the emulsion plant. Cross-region base bitumen adds $15–$30/MT.
5. Negotiate residue-adjusted pricing. A CSS-1h upgrade (65% residue) at a 5%–8% price premium often lowers applied cost per square meter by 10%+.
6. Use landed-cost calculators before committing. Freight volatility can swing total cost by $20–$60/MT within a single quarter.
Payment terms matter too: Letters of credit add $5–$12/MT in bank charges, while TT (telegraphic transfer) with 30% advance typically reduces unit price by 1%–2%.
FAQ: CSS-1 Bitumen Emulsion Price
Q1: What is the current price of CSS-1 bitumen emulsion in 2025?
CSS-1 bitumen emulsion trades between $280 and $420 per metric ton FOB in 2025, with Iranian and Gulf-origin material at the low end ($290–$330) and US or Singapore-origin product at the high end ($360–$440). Landed costs add $30–$90 per MT depending on destination.
Q2: How many tons of CSS-1 fit in one 20-foot container?
A standard 20-foot container with a flexitank holds 20–24 metric tons of CSS-1 emulsion, limited by weight rather than volume since emulsion density is approximately 1.01–1.05 kg/L. ISO tanks carry the same payload but offer easier cleaning and faster unloading.
Q3: Is CSS-1 more expensive than CRS-2?
CSS-1 typically costs $10–$25 per MT less than CRS-2 because rapid-setting emulsions require higher emulsifier dosage and more tightly controlled processing. However, CSS-1h (65% residue) usually prices $15–$30 above CRS-2 due to its higher residual bitumen content.
Q4: What is the minimum order quantity for exporting CSS-1?
Most exporters accept one 20-foot container (20–24 MT) as the minimum order, though pricing improves significantly at 5 containers (100–120 MT) and reaches optimal levels at bulk vessel volumes of 500 MT or more. Small buyers should consolidate orders or work through trading intermediaries.
Q5: How long does delivery take for a CSS-1 bitumen emulsion order?
Production and loading take 5–10 days after order confirmation, and ocean transit runs 7–14 days for intra-regional shipments or 21–35 days for intercontinental routes. Total lead time from payment