Oxidized Bitumen Price
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Oxidized Bitumen Price: Direct Answer
Oxidized bitumen (blown bitumen) prices range from $420 to $780 per metric ton FOB as of Q2 2025, depending on grade (10/20 to 115/15), packaging (bulk vs. 25 kg bags or drums), and origin. The most-traded grades — 95/25 and 105/35 — sit at $540–$650/ton FOB Iran and $610–$720/ton FOB UAE or Turkey. Bulk vessel shipments (1,000+ tons) are typically $40–$90/ton cheaper than bagged or drummed cargo.
What Drives the Oxidized Bitumen Price in 2025
Oxidized bitumen is produced by blowing air through vacuum bottom (VB) or penetration-grade bitumen at 240–280°C for 4–12 hours. The price is therefore a function of feedstock cost (60–70% of total), oxidation time, packaging, freight, and origin-specific export costs.
Three macro factors moved prices in 2024–2025:
- VB feedstock volatility: Iranian vacuum bottom rose from $280/ton (Jan 2024) to $340/ton (Mar 2025), lifting oxidized bitumen prices by roughly 12–18%.
- Freight rates: Container rates from Bandar Abbas to Jebel Ali/Nhava Sheva increased $200–$450 per 20ft in late 2024, adding $10–$22/ton to landed cost.
- Currency and sanctions friction: Non-USD settlement routes (AED, INR, CNY) added 2–5% transaction costs for Iranian-origin material.
| Product | Typical Grade | Price FOB ($/ton) | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidized bitumen | 95/25 | 560–640 | Roofing, pipe coating, mastics |
| Oxidized bitumen | 105/35 | 540–620 | Waterproofing membranes |
| Oxidized bitumen | 115/15 | 580–680 | Adhesives, paints, insulation |
| Penetration bitumen | 60/70 | 430–500 | Asphalt paving |
| Penetration bitumen | 80/100 | 420–480 | Road construction |
| Cutback bitumen | MC-30 | 620–720 | Cold-applied priming |
Note: Oxidized grades carry a $60–$150/ton premium over penetration grades due to longer processing time (8–12 hours vs. 0–2 hours).
Oxidized Bitumen Price by Grade and Specification
Grades are expressed as softening point / penetration (ASTM D36 / ASTM D5). Higher softening point = longer oxidation = higher cost.
| Grade | Softening Point (°C) | Penetration (0.1 mm) | Price FOB ($/ton) | Oxidation Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85/25 | 85–90 | 20–30 | 520–600 | 5–6 hrs |
| 90/40 | 90–95 | 35–45 | 530–610 | 6–7 hrs |
| 95/25 | 95–100 | 20–30 | 560–640 | 7–8 hrs |
| 105/35 | 105–110 | 30–40 | 540–620 | 8–9 hrs |
| 115/15 | 115–120 | 10–20 | 580–680 | 10–12 hrs |
| 150/5 | 150–155 | 0–5 | 720–850 | 14–16 hrs |
Key insight for buyers: The 105/35 grade is often cheaper than 95/25 despite a higher softening point, because it is produced in larger volumes for the Middle East and South Asian roofing markets, creating economies of scale.
Regional Price Comparison: Iran, UAE, Turkey, and China
Origin matters as much as grade. Here's how the same 95/25 grade prices out across major export hubs (Q2 2025, FOB, bulk):
| Origin | FOB Price ($/ton) | Lead Time | Packaging Availability | Key Export Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 540–620 | 15–25 days | Bulk, bags, drums | UAE, India, China, Turkey |
| UAE | 610–720 | 10–18 days | Bulk, bags | East Africa, India, SE Asia |
| Turkey | 620–700 | 12–20 days | Bulk, bags, drums | Europe, North Africa |
| China | 580–660 | 20–30 days | Bags, drums | SE Asia, Africa, Australia |
| South Korea | 680–780 | 18–25 days | Bulk, drums | Japan, SE Asia, US |
Iran produces roughly 4–5 million tons/year of oxidized bitumen, making it the world's largest exporter. The $70–$100/ton gap versus UAE material reflects:
- Cheaper VB feedstock (domestic subsidy structure)
- Lower labor and energy costs
- But: higher freight, sanctions-related payment friction, and documentation delays
Practical takeaway: Buyers in India and China typically save 8–14% sourcing Iranian origin, but must budget for 10–20 extra days of logistics and compliance lead time.
Packing and Logistics: How Format Changes the Price
Packaging can swing the delivered price by $50–$140 per ton. Here's the breakdown:
| Format | Price Premium ($/ton) | Container Load | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (vessel) | Baseline | 5,000–25,000 tons | Large industrial buyers |
| Jumbo bags (1 MT) | +$35–$55 | 20–22 MT / 20ft | Mid-size factories |
| 25 kg bags | +$60–$90 | 20–24 MT / 20ft | Retail, small contractors |
| 180 kg drums | +$90–$140 | 16–18 MT / 20ft | Remote sites, Africa |
| Kraft paper bags | +$70–$100 | 20–22 MT / 20ft | Roofing contractors |
Freight benchmarks (Q2 2025):
- Bandar Abbas → Nhava Sheva (India): $850–$1,100 / 20ft
- Bandar Abbas → Shanghai: $1,200–$1,500 / 20ft
- Jebel Ali → Mombasa: $1,400–$1,800 / 20ft
- Istanbul → Rotterdam: $900–$1,300 / 20ft
Cost example: 22 tons of 95/25 in 25 kg bags from Iran to India:
- FOB: 22 × $600 = $13,200
- Freight: $980
- Insurance + docs: $180
- Landed cost: ~$14,360 ($653/ton)
2025–2026 Price Forecast
Three scenarios for the next 12 months:
| Scenario | Probability | Price Range (95/25 FOB) | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable | 50% | $540–$640 | Flat VB prices, steady demand |
| Bullish | 30% | $650–$760 | VB shortage, freight spike, sanctions tightening |
| Bearish | 20% | $480–$560 | Chinese demand slowdown, new Iranian capacity |
Watch these indicators to anticipate price moves:
- Iranian VB spot price (published weekly by IME) — leads oxidized bitumen by 2–3 weeks
- Container freight index (SCFI, WCI) — leads landed cost by 3–4 weeks
- Indian monsoon season (June–September) — softens roofing demand by 15–25%
- Chinese winter construction slowdown (Dec–Feb) — reduces import volumes
FAQ: Oxidized Bitumen Price
Q1: What is the current price of oxidized bitumen per ton?
As of Q2 2025, oxidized bitumen trades at $420–$780 per metric ton FOB, depending on grade and origin. The most common grades, 95/25 and 105/35, are priced at $540–$650/ton FOB Iran and $610–$720/ton FOB UAE.
Q2: Which grade of oxidized bitumen is the cheapest?
Lower-softening-point grades like 85/25 and 90/40 are the cheapest, at $520–$610/ton FOB, because they require less oxidation time (5–7 hours). High-softening grades such as 150/5 cost 40–60% more due to 14–16 hours of processing.
Q3: Is Iranian oxidized bitumen cheaper than UAE or Turkish origin?
Yes — Iranian material is typically $70–$120/ton cheaper than UAE or Turkish equivalents at the same grade. However, buyers should factor in 10–20 additional days of logistics lead time and potential payment channel complexity.
Q4: How much does packaging add to the oxidized bitumen price?
Packaging adds $35–$140/ton over bulk pricing. Jumbo bags add $35–$55/ton, 25 kg bags add $60–$90/ton, and steel drums add $90–$140/ton. Bulk vessel shipments remain the most economical for volumes above 1,000 tons.
Q5: Will oxidized bitumen prices go up in 2026?
Most analysts expect stable-to-slightly-higher prices in 2026, with a base case of $540–$660/ton FOB for 95/25 grade. Upside risks include VB feedstock shortages and freight spikes; downside risks include weaker Chinese and Indian construction demand.
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- Real-time FOB and CIF pricing by grade
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- Side-by-side comparison of Iran, UAE, Turkey, and China origins
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