Karamay Bitumen Quality
Last updated: 2026-10-06
Karamay Bitumen Quality
Karamay bitumen is a high-grade paving and industrial-grade asphalt produced from crude oil extracted in the Karamay oilfield of Xinjiang, China, with penetration grades ranging from 60/70 to 160/220 and a typical asphaltene content of 12–18%. Independent lab tests (ASTM D946 / JTG F40) place Karamay 60/70 pen bitumen at penetration 63–66 dmm, softening point 49–52°C, and ductility >100 cm at 25°C, which is on par with or slightly better than Middle East grade 60/70 in low-temperature cracking resistance. In 2024, export prices from Karamay refiners ranged USD 390–470 per metric ton FOB China, with bulk vessel lead times of 14–25 days to Southeast Asia and 30–40 days to Africa and the Middle East.
What Makes Karamay Bitumen Different
Karamay crude is a naphthenic-paraffinic mixed base with unusually low sulfur (0.15–0.35%) and high resin content. When refined at PetroChina Karamay Petrochemical (the largest single source, ~4.2 million tons/year of asphalt capacity) and CNOOC Karamay, the resulting bitumen has three structural advantages over Gulf-coast and Singapore-blend bitumen:
- Higher asphaltene-to-resin ratio → better rutting resistance on hot roads
- Low wax content (<2.0%) → lower brittle-point failure at sub-zero temperatures
- Narrow penetration variance (±4 dmm) → consistent mix design results, fewer batch rejections
| Parameter (Test Method) | Karamay 60/70 | Middle East 60/70 | Singapore Blend 60/70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration, 25°C, dmm (ASTM D5) | 63–66 | 61–68 | 60–70 |
| Softening point, °C (ASTM D36) | 49–52 | 48–53 | 47–52 |
| Ductility, 25°C, cm (ASTM D113) | >100 | >100 | 80–100 |
| Flash point, °C (ASTM D92) | ≥260 | ≥250 | ≥240 |
| Solubility, % (ASTM D2042) | ≥99.5 | ≥99.0 | ≥98.5 |
| Wax content, % | <2.0 | 2.5–4.0 | 3.0–5.0 |
| Sulfur, % | 0.15–0.35 | 2.5–4.5 | 0.5–2.0 |
| After TFOT: Pen. ratio, % | ≥65 | 60–68 | 55–65 |
| After TFOT: Ductility, cm | ≥75 | ≥60 | ≥50 |
| Price FOB China, USD/MT (2024 avg) | 390–470 | 370–450 | 360–430 |
Key takeaway: Karamay bitumen wins on wax content and sulfur, which translates directly into longer pavement life in cold climates and lower refinery-grade blending costs for modified bitumen (SBS/CRM) producers.
Karamay Bitumen Grades and Specifications
Chinese refiners classify Karamay asphalt under GB/T 15180 (heavy traffic paving) and JTG F40-2004 (highway construction). The three grades most commonly exported are:
| Grade | Penetration @25°C | Softening Point | Ductility @25°C | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karamay 160/220 | 160–220 dmm | 38–43°C | >100 cm | Cold regions, base layers, emulsions |
| Karamay 80/100 | 80–100 dmm | 44–48°C | >100 cm | Moderate climates, surface courses |
| Karamay 60/70 | 60–70 dmm | 49–52°C | >100 cm | Hot climates, heavy traffic, airports |
| Karamay 40/50 | 40–50 dmm | 52–56°C | >100 cm | Extreme heat, container yards |
| Karamay SBS I-D | 40–60 dmm | ≥60°C | >100 cm | Modified, high-stress pavements |
Bulk packaging options from Karamay plants:
- New steel drums: 150 kg or 180 kg net, 50 drums per 20'FCL ≈ 7.5–9 MT
- Jumbo bags (1 MT): 20–24 MT per 20'FCL
- Flexitanks: 20–24 MT per 20'FCL, 5–7 MT lower cost per ton
- ISO tanks: 20–24 MT, best for repeated contract buyers
Price, Lead Time & Volume Benchmarks (2024–2025)
Karamay bitumen is exported mostly via Alashankou / Khorgos land ports (rail to Central Asia) and Tianjin / Qingdao / Rizhao by sea. Land-route delivery to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is 7–12 days; sea freight to Ho Chi Minh City or Jakarta is 14–21 days.
| Destination | Route | Typical Volume (MT/month) | Lead Time (days) | Landed Price Range (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Via Tianjin | 500–3,000 | 14–20 | 420–510 |
| Indonesia | Via Qingdao | 1,000–5,000 | 18–25 | 430–520 |
| India | Via Tianjin | 500–2,000 | 20–28 | 425–510 |
| Kenya / Tanzania | Via Tianjin | 500–3,000 | 32–40 | 450–540 |
| UAE / Saudi Arabia | Via Tianjin | 1,000–5,000 | 28–35 | 440–530 |
| Kazakhstan | Rail via Alashankou | 2,000–10,000 | 7–12 | 375–450 |
Bulk order discount structure (standard for 2025 contracts):
- 100–500 MT: list price
- 500–2,000 MT: −3% to −5%
- 2,000–5,000 MT: −6% to −8%
- 5,000+ MT annual contract: −8% to −12%, price locked for 90 days
| Source | 60/70 FOB Price (USD/MT) | Wax % | Cold-Crack Resistance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karamay (China) | 390–470 | <2.0 | Excellent | Cold + hot extremes, SBS blending |
| Iran | 340–410 | 2.5–4.5 | Moderate | Price-sensitive bulk paving |
| Singapore | 360–430 | 3.0–5.0 | Moderate | Marine & tropical standard mixes |
| South Korea | 400–480 | 1.5–2.5 | Good | Premium paving contracts |
Why Buyers Choose Karamay Bitumen in 2025
Three structural reasons drive Karamay's market share growth (+18% YoY export volume to Southeast Asia in 2024):
1. Raw material security. The Karamay field produces ~12 million tons/year of suitable crude; PetroChina reserves 30% of asphalt output for contract buyers, buffering against spot shortages.
2. Cost advantage over Korean and Singapore brands. Karamay 60/70 is typically USD 15–25/MT cheaper than South Korean equivalents with comparable wax content.
3. SBS / CRM compatibility. The low asphaltene agglomeration in Karamay bitumen allows 5–7% SBS loading without phase separation, vs. 6–8% for high-sulfur Gulf grades — a 10–15% saving on modifier costs for PMB producers.
Before placing a Karamay bitumen order, confirm:
- COA per ASTM D946 / GB/T 15180 issued within 30 days of shipment
- MSDS in destination language (required for Vietnam, Indonesia, EU re-export)
- Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, BV) at load port — cost ~USD 350–600 per lot
- Container weight compliance — do not exceed 24 MT net per 20'FCL
- Payment terms — 30% T/T deposit + 70% against B/L copy is standard; L/C at sight for orders >USD 300,000
FAQ: Karamay Bitumen Quality
Q1: Is Karamay bitumen better than Middle East bitumen?
For cold climates, yes — Karamay's wax content is <2.0% versus 2.5–4.5% for most Iranian and Saudi grades, giving better low-temperature cracking resistance (typically 15–25% longer fatigue life in lab tests). For pure hot-climate paving on a tight budget, Middle East 60/70 remains price-competitive at USD 20–40/MT less.
Q2: What penetration grades are available from Karamay refineries?
Standard export grades are 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, 100/120, and 160/220, plus SBS-modified I-C and I-D. Custom penetration windows (±3 dmm) are available on orders above 2,000 MT with 30-day lead time.
Q3: What is the typical delivery time from Karamay to Southeast Asia?
Sea freight from Tianjin/Qingdao to Vietnam is 14–20 days, to Indonesia 18–25 days, and to the Philippines 20–28 days, including inland transport from Karamay to the port (3–5 days by rail). Total door-to-door is usually 20–32 days.
Q4: How much does Karamay 60/70 bitumen cost in 2025?
As of early 2025, FOB China prices for Karamay 60/70 range USD 390–470 per metric ton, depending on order volume, packaging (drums cost USD 25–35/MT more than bulk), and payment terms. Annual contracts above 5,000 MT typically secure 8–12% discounts.
Q5: Which tests should I require on a Karamay bitumen COA?
Require penetration (D5), softening point (D36), ductility (D113), flash point (D92), solubility (D2042), TFOT residue (D1754), and wax content (D7216 or equivalent). For modified grades, add elastic recovery (D6084) and storage stability at 163°C for 48h.
Get an Instant Landed-Cost Estimate
Before you negotiate with a Karamay refiner or trader, know your true landed cost per metric ton — including FOB, freight, insurance, port fees, inspection, and import duty. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to compare routes (Tianjin vs. Qingdao vs. Alashankou), packaging types (drums vs. flexitank vs. ISO tank), and volumes, then generate a PDF quote you can send straight to your procurement team. Get your number in under two minutes at 6Tar.