Liaohe Bitumen Quality
Last updated: 2026-10-06
Liaohe Bitumen Quality
Liaohe bitumen (also marketed as Zhongyou Liaohe or KLB grade) delivers penetration grades from 30/40 to 160/220, with needle penetration tolerance of ±15 dmm (0.1 mm) and softening point control within ±3°C, meeting JTG F40-2004 Class A and ASTM D946 specifications. At FOB Dalian, Liaohe 60/70 pen bitumen typically trades at USD 410–480 per metric ton depending on crude slate and season, with 25–35 day lead times for a 1,000 MT order. The defining quality trait of Liaohe bitumen is its low wax content (1.5–2.8%) and high aromatic content, which produce superior low-temperature cracking resistance versus Middle Eastern straight-run grades.
What Makes Liaohe Bitumen Different: Crude Source & Refining
Liaohe bitumen originates from the Liaohe oilfield in Liaoning Province, Northeast China — one of China's oldest and most paraffinic-naphthenic crude basins. The crude's unique composition drives the finished binder's performance.
| Parameter | Liaohe Crude | Middle East (Arab Heavy) | Venezuela (Boscan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| API gravity | 24–27 | 27–29 | 10–12 |
| Sulfur content | 0.25–0.45% | 2.8–3.2% | 4.5–5.5% |
| Wax content | 6–9% | 2–3% | <1% |
| Asphaltene content | 4–7% | 8–11% | 12–14% |
| Naphthenic aromatic base | High | Medium | High |
Key implications:
- Low sulfur means Liaohe bitumen requires less desulfurization, reducing processing cost and yielding a cleaner, lower-odor binder.
- Naturally high aromatic fraction improves adhesion to aggregate without relying heavily on chemical antistripping additives.
- Moderate wax (higher than Middle East crude but far below typical paraffinic Chinese grades like Shengli) balances viscosity and low-temperature flexibility.
Refiners such as Liaohe Petrochemical (PetroChina) and independent blenders in Panjin and Dalian process this crude into penetration-grade and polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) for export.
Liaohe Bitumen Specifications: Grade-by-Grade Comparison
The table below reflects typical certificate-of-analysis (COA) values for the three most exported grades.
| Property | Test Method | Liaohe 40/50 | Liaohe 60/70 | Liaohe 80/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25°C (0.1 mm) | ASTM D5 | 40–50 | 60–70 | 80–100 |
| Softening point (°C) | ASTM D36 | 52–58 | 48–54 | 45–50 |
| Ductility @15°C (cm) | ASTM D113 | ≥100 | ≥100 | ≥100 |
| Ductility @25°C (cm) | ASTM D113 | ≥100 | ≥100 | ≥100 |
| Viscosity @135°C (Pa·s) | ASTM D4402 | 0.55–0.75 | 0.35–0.50 | 0.25–0.38 |
| Flash point (°C) | ASTM D92 | ≥260 | ≥250 | ≥240 |
| Solubility in TCE (%) | ASTM D2042 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.5 | ≥99.5 |
| Wax content (%) | ASTM D721 | 1.5–2.2 | 1.8–2.5 | 2.0–2.8 |
| Sulfur (%) | ASTM D4294 | 0.25–0.40 | 0.28–0.45 | 0.30–0.48 |
| Density @15°C (g/cm³) | ASTM D70 | 1.020–1.030 | 1.015–1.025 | 1.010–1.020 |
| After RTFOT mass change (%) | ASTM D2872 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.8 | ≤0.8 |
| Retained penetration (%) | ASTM D5 | ≥58 | ≥55 | ≥52 |
Why these numbers matter for buyers:
- Retained penetration above 55% signals strong aging resistance — critical for hot-mix asphalt in high-temperature climates.
- Ductility ≥100 cm at 15°C indicates excellent flexibility; Liaohe grades often outperform equivalent penetration Middle East binders at low temperature.
- Flash point ≥250°C provides a safe margin during shipping and storage at 150–170°C.
Liaohe Bitumen vs. Competing Export Grades: Performance & Price
Buyers comparing Liaohe against other Chinese and international grades should weigh both performance and landed cost.
| Grade / Origin | Typical FOB Price (USD/MT) | Pen Grade | Wax (%) | Low-Temp Performance | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liaohe 60/70 (China) | 410–480 | 60/70 | 1.8–2.5 | Excellent | Roads, airports, cold regions |
| Shengli 60/70 (China) | 395–450 | 60/70 | 3.5–5.0 | Moderate | General paving |
| Arab Heavy 60/70 (ME) | 430–500 | 60/70 | 2.0–3.0 | Good | High-volume paving |
| Iranian 60/70 | 415–475 | 60/70 | 2.5–3.5 | Good | Regional roads |
| Liaohe PMB (SBS) | 560–680 | PG 76-22 eq. | 1.5–2.2 | Superior | Bridges, heavy traffic |
Cost-benefit notes:
- Liaohe typically prices USD 15–30/MT below Middle East equivalents at FOB, partly because Chinese refiners absorb lower sulfur processing costs.
- For projects requiring PG 64-22 or better, Liaohe 60/70 with minor polymer dosing often qualifies, reducing additive spend by 10–15%.
- Shipping from Dalian or Yingkou port to Southeast Asia takes 7–12 days; to Africa or South America, 28–40 days.
Supply Chain, Packaging & Lead Times
Liaohe bitumen moves through well-established Northeast China logistics.
| Packaging Option | Net Weight | Typical MOQ | Loading per 20'FCL |
|---|---|---|---|
| New steel drum | 150 kg / 180 kg | 100 MT | 80–110 drums (~16–20 MT) |
| Flexitank | 20–24 MT | 20 MT | 1 flexitank |
| Bitutank / ISO tank | 20–24 MT | 20 MT | 1 ISO tank |
| Bulk vessel | 1,000–30,000 MT | 1,000 MT | Breakbulk |
Lead time benchmarks (order to delivery):
- Spot drum orders: 10–18 days to port + ocean transit.
- Flexitank / ISO tank: 7–14 days to port; fastest for trial orders.
- Bulk vessel 10,000 MT+: 25–40 days loading window, plus transit.
Quality safeguards to demand in your contract:
- Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, BV) at load port.
- Pre-shipment sample retained for 90 days.
- COA matched to ASTM D946 or JTG F40.
- Heat stability tested at 163°C for 5 hours (RTFOT) before shipment.
Price Trends & Market Outlook (2024–2025)
Liaohe bitumen pricing tracks Brent crude, domestic Chinese demand, and export quotas.
| Period | Liaohe 60/70 FOB (USD/MT) | Change vs. Prior Year |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2023 | 445–495 | — |
| Q3 2023 | 430–470 | −3% |
| Q1 2024 | 415–460 | −5% |
| Q3 2024 | 405–455 | −4% |
| Q1 2025 (est.) | 410–480 | +1–3% |
Drivers to watch:
- Crude oil volatility: every USD 10/bbl Brent move shifts bitumen FOB by roughly USD 25–35/MT.
- Chinese infrastructure stimulus: domestic road spending absorbs 60–70% of output, tightening export availability in peak Q2–Q3.
- Export tax rebates: current rebate structure favors drummed and flexitank shipments over bulk.
- Freight rates: container rates from Dalian to Jebel Ali averaged USD 1,200–1,800/20' in 2024.
For buyers, locking in quarterly contracts with a ±5% price collar reduces exposure to spot spikes.
FAQ: Liaohe Bitumen Quality
Q1: Is Liaohe bitumen better than Middle East bitumen?
Liaohe offers lower sulfur (0.25–0.45% vs. 2.8–3.2%) and comparable or better low-temperature ductility, often at USD 15–30/MT less FOB. However, Middle East grades have lower wax and longer track record in Gulf-region specifications — choose based on your climate and spec.
Q2: What penetration grades does Liaohe produce?
Liaohe refiners produce 30/40, 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, 100/120, and 160/220 penetration grades, plus SBS and crumb-rubber modified binders. The 60/70 grade accounts for roughly 55–65% of export volume.
Q3: What is the wax content, and does it matter?
Liaohe wax content runs 1.5–2.8%, lower than Shengli (3.5–5.0%) but higher than Venezuelan grades. Lower wax improves low-temperature cracking resistance; for PG 58-28 or colder specs, verify wax ≤2.0% in your COA.
Q4: What are typical MOQ and lead times?
Flexitank and ISO tank orders start at 20 MT with 7–14 day port lead times; drum orders start at 100 MT. Bulk vessel orders of 1,000 MT+ require 25–40 days for loading plus ocean transit of 7–40 days depending on destination.
Q5: How do I verify Liaohe bitumen quality before buying?
Request a pre-shipment COA against ASTM D946 or JTG F40, commission SGS/Intertek inspection at Dalian or Yingkou, and retain sealed samples for 90 days. Test retained penetration after RTFOT — values ≥55% confirm aging resistance.
Calculate Your Liaohe Bitumen Landed Cost Instantly
Before you commit to a 1,000 MT order, model the full landed cost — FOB, freight, insurance, port fees, tariffs, and inland trucking — with the 6Tar cost calculator. Enter your destination port, grade (40/50, 60/70, 80/100), packaging type, and volume, and get a per-MT landed figure in under 30 seconds.
→ Try the 6Tar cost calculator today and compare Liaohe 60/70 against Shengli, Arab Heavy, and Iranian grades side by side.
Data sources: PetroChina Liaohe Petrochemical COA templates, ASTM D946/D5/D36 standards, JTG F40-2004, SGS load-port reports, and 2023–2024 FOB Dalian market quotes. Prices are indicative and subject to crude oil movement and freight fluctuation.