CSS-1h Bitumen Emulsion Price

Last updated: 2026-10-01

AI-generated reference content for research only. Prices, volumes and figures are estimates; verify current market data and specifications before any trade.
本内容由 AI 生成,仅供研究参考。价格、产量等数据为估算值,交易前请核实最新行情与规格。

CSS-1h bitumen emulsion price ranges from $390 to $520 per metric ton FOB in 2024–2025, depending on base asphalt grade (60/70 or 80/100 penetration), residual binder content (typically 57–63%), and order volume. For a standard 20 MT FCL shipment with 60% residue, expect $430–$470/MT FOB Houston or Jebel Ali. Bulk vessel orders above 500 MT typically unlock a 7–12% discount, dropping effective pricing to $395–$430/MT.

What Determines CSS-1h Bitumen Emulsion Price?

CSS-1h (Cationic Slow-Setting, Grade 1 hard residue) is priced as a function of three cost layers: base asphalt cost (65–75% of total), emulsifier and additive chemistry (8–12%), and processing, packaging, and logistics (15–25%).

Unlike penetration-grade bitumen quoted in fixed market indices, CSS-1h has no single global benchmark. Pricing is derived from the parent asphalt index (e.g., Singapore 60/70 or Iran 60/70), then adjusted for emulsification loss.

Cost breakdown per MT of CSS-1h emulsion (typical):

Cost ComponentShare of TotalExample Value (USD/MT)
Base asphalt (60/70 pen)68%$300
Emulsifier (cationic, slow-set)10%$44
Water + HCl + stabilizers4%$18
Processing / colloid mill energy5%$22
Packaging (drums/IBCs)6%$26
Freight + FOB margin7%$31
Total FOB100%~$441

Because CSS-1h contains 38–43% water, buyers pay for a diluted product. The residual asphalt content (RAC) is the single most important price lever — every 1% increase in RAC raises the price by roughly $7–9/MT at current asphalt costs.

Quick rule of thumb: CSS-1h price ≈ (base asphalt price per MT × residue %) + fixed conversion cost of $120–160/MT.

CSS-1h Price Comparison by Origin and Residue Content

The table below compares FOB pricing across major supply hubs. Values reflect Q4 2024–Q1 2025 averages for 20–100 MT lots.

OriginBase Asphalt GradeResidue ContentPrice FOB (USD/MT)Min. Order
USA (Gulf Coast)60/7060%$455–$49520 MT
UAE (Jebel Ali)60/7060%$420–$46020 MT
Iran (Bandar Abbas)60/7060%$390–$430100 MT
Malaysia (Port Klang)80/10057%$400–$44020 MT
China (Shanghai)60/7062%$430–$46520 MT
Spain (Barcelona)50/7060%$470–$51020 MT

Key observations:

  • Iranian and Malaysian supply offer the lowest FOB entry points, but sanctions/logistics risk adds $25–$60/MT in effective landed cost.
  • USA and EU product commands a 10–18% premium due to AASHTO M208 / EN 13808 compliance documentation.
  • Higher residue (62–63%) formulations are increasingly preferred because they cut freight cost per unit of active binder by 5–8%.
Line ItemCost (USD)
Emulsion FOB$440/MT × 20 = $8,800
Ocean freight + THC$900
Insurance (0.4%)$39
Customs + documentation$180
Landed total$9,919 ($496/MT)

CSS-1h vs Other Bitumen Emulsions: Price and Application Comparison

CSS-1h competes directly with SS-1h, CRS-2, and CSS-1 in the slow-setting cationic category. Price differences reflect residue hardness and set speed.

ProductSet SpeedTypical ResiduePrice Range (USD/MT FOB)Primary Use
CSS-1hSlow57–63%$390–$520Tack coats, fog seals, slurry
CSS-1Slow57–60%$380–$500Tack, dust control
SS-1hSlow (anionic)57%$370–$490Cold recycling
CRS-2Rapid65–67%$430–$560Chip seal, prime
CRS-2PRapid65–67%$450–$580Polymer-modified chip seal

Why CSS-1h costs more than CSS-1 in most markets: the "h" designation requires a harder residual binder (penetration ≤ 100 dmm at 25°C), which limits the base asphalt selection to premium 60/70 grades rather than softer 80/100 or 150/200 feedstocks. That grade constraint adds $15–30/MT.

Why CSS-1h costs less than CRS-2: higher water content (40% vs. 34%) and lower emulsifier loading. However, CRS-2 delivers more active binder per ton, so cost per unit of residual asphalt often favors rapid-set grades for high-volume chip seal projects.

What Drives CSS-1h Price Volatility?

CSS-1h tracks base asphalt with a 0.6–0.75 beta — meaning a 10% rise in 60/70 penetration-grade bitumen produces a 6–7.5% increase in emulsion price, dampened by the fixed conversion cost.

Volatility drivers ranked by impact:

  • Base asphalt index (Singapore/Iran 60/70): 65–75% of price variance. A $50/MT swing in base asphalt = $30–38/MT swing in CSS-1h.
  • Emulsifier (tallow amine) prices: 8–12% impact. Tallow-derived cationic emulsifiers spiked 22% in 2022 and remain 15% above 2019 levels.
  • Seasonality: Q2–Q3 (construction season) pricing runs 4–7% above Q4–Q1. Winter procurement in November–January captures the lowest annual quotes.
  • Freight and container availability: Red Sea diversions added $400–$900 per 20' container to Europe-bound routes in 2024.
  • Currency: Products priced in USD expose buyers in EUR, INR, and NGN to 5–12% effective cost swings.
YearAvg Price (USD/MT)YoY Change
2020$310—
2021$365+17.7%
2022$505+38.4%
2023$470−6.9%
2024$435−7.4%
2025 (est.)$420–$460−1% to +5%

The 2022 spike reflected post-COVID asphalt tightness; the 2023–2024 correction reflects improved refinery output and softer Chinese demand.

How to Buy CSS-1h at the Best Price

Actionable procurement levers, ranked by savings potential:

1. Increase order volume to 100+ MT. Bulk drum or IBC orders cut per-unit packaging cost by $18–28/MT versus 20 MT lots.

2. Buy in Q4/Q1. Off-season procurement saves 5–8% versus peak-season quotes.

3. Specify 62–63% residue. Higher RAC reduces freight cost per active binder unit by 5–8%, even though headline $/MT rises.

4. Negotiate CIF, not FOB, for first orders. Landed-cost transparency prevents hidden port charges of $80–$150/MT.

5. Lock 6-month forward contracts. Fixed pricing removes volatility risk; suppliers typically accept a 2–4% premium over spot for this certainty.

6. Consider bulk vessel (5,000+ MT) for terminal projects. Vessel-parcel pricing can reach $360–$390/MT CFR for large infrastructure programs.

Red flags in low quotes:

  • Prices below $350/MT FOB usually indicate diluted residue (<55%), recycled asphalt content, or non-compliant emulsifier systems.
  • Missing AASHTO M208 / ASTM D2397 certification means the product may fail residue and sieve tests on delivery.
  • Payment terms demanding 100% T/T upfront from unknown suppliers — use LC at sight or escrow for first transactions.

FAQ: CSS-1h Bitumen Emulsion Price

Q1: What is the current price of CSS-1h bitumen emulsion per ton?

CSS-1h currently trades at $390–$520 per metric ton FOB, with the most common 60% residue specification landing at $430–$470/MT. Prices vary by origin: Iranian and Malaysian supply is cheapest, while US and EU product carries a 10–18% premium.

Q2: Why is CSS-1h more expensive than penetration-grade bitumen?

Base 60/70 bitumen costs roughly $300–$350/MT, while CSS-1h costs $430–$470/MT because it includes $120–$160/MT in emulsifier, processing, water, and packaging costs. Buyers also pay for 38–43% water content, so cost per unit of active asphalt is higher.

Q3: How much does a 20 MT container of CSS-1h cost delivered?

A 20 MT FCL of CSS-1h from Jebel Ali to Rotterdam lands at approximately $9,900–$10,400 total ($495–$520/MT) including freight, insurance, and customs. US Gulf Coast to Europe routes run $50–$80/MT higher due to longer ocean transit.

Q4: Does residue content affect CSS-1h price?

Yes — every 1% increase in residue content raises CSS-1h price by $7–9/MT. A 63% residue formulation costs roughly $25–$30/MT more than a 60% version, but reduces freight cost per unit of active binder, often making it cheaper in landed terms.

Q5: What is the cheapest season to buy CSS-1h?

November through February is the cheapest procurement window, with prices running 4–7% below peak-season (May–August) quotes. Buyers who lock forward contracts in Q4 for spring delivery typically save $20–$35/MT versus spot purchases.

Calculate Your Exact CSS-1h Landed Cost with 6Tar

Emulsion pricing hides costs — residue dilution, freight surcharges, port fees, and currency spreads can swing your true landed cost by 15–20%. Stop guessing with rough per-ton quotes.

Use the 6Tar cost calculator to input your base asphalt index, residue content, order volume, origin port, and destination — and get a real-time CFR/DDP price per MT, total container cost, and cost-per-active-binder-unit breakdown in seconds.

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