Maoming Bitumen Quality
Last updated: 2026-10-06
Maoming Bitumen Quality: Specifications, Grades & Export Data
Maoming bitumen (produced by Sinopec Maoming Petrochemical in Guangdong, China) is a Group A petroleum asphalt with penetration values of 60–80 and 80–100 (0.1mm at 25°C), softening points of 45–55°C, and 15°C ductility above 100cm. The refinery processes Middle Eastern crude (mainly Saudi Arab Light) with a sulfur content below 0.3% in the finished binder, meeting JTG F40-2004 Class A and ASTM D946 specifications. FOB Zhanjiang/Maoming port pricing for 60/70 penetration grade averages USD 390–450 per metric ton in 2025, with standard export volumes of 5,000–30,000 MT per shipment and 7–14 day lead times.
What Makes Maoming Bitumen Different: Crude Source & Refining Process
Maoming Petrochemical operates a 13.5 million MT/year crude distillation capacity and one of China's largest solvent de-asphalting (SDA) units dedicated to asphalt production. The quality advantage comes from three structural factors:
| Factor | Maoming | Typical Chinese Refinery | Middle East Export Refinery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude source | Saudi Arab Light (low sulfur) | Mixed domestic/Middle East | Local heavy crude |
| Production method | Solvent de-asphalting + blending | Vacuum residue direct | Vacuum residue direct |
| Sulfur content (%) | 0.20–0.30 | 0.50–1.20 | 0.80–2.50 |
| Asphaltene content (%) | 12–18 | 18–25 | 20–30 |
| Wax content (%) | 1.5–2.5 | 3.0–6.0 | 2.0–4.0 |
The SDA process removes excess asphaltenes and heavy metals, which is why Maoming binder shows better low-temperature crack resistance than direct-distillation asphalt. Wax content below 3% is critical for tropical and moderate climates — high-wax binders fail at low temperatures and bleed at high temperatures.
- Feedstock: Saudi Arab Light, API gravity 33–34, sulfur 1.8–2.0% in crude
- SDA unit capacity: ~2.5 million MT/year asphalt feed
- Finished binder output: 1.2–1.6 million MT/year across all grades
- Export allocation: approximately 400,000–600,000 MT/year via Maoming and Zhanjiang ports
- Quality certification: ISO 9001, JTG F40-2004, ASTM D946/D3381, EN 12591
Maoming Bitumen Grades & Technical Specifications
Maoming produces penetration-graded bitumen primarily for the Asian, African, and South American export markets. The table below compares the three most-exported grades using JTG F40-2004 Class A test methods.
| Property | 60/70 Pen | 80/100 Pen | 40/50 Pen | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25°C (0.1mm) | 60–70 | 80–100 | 40–50 | ASTM D5 |
| Softening point (°C) | 49–55 | 45–52 | 52–58 | ASTM D36 |
| Ductility @15°C (cm) | >100 | >100 | >80 | ASTM D113 |
| Flash point (°C) | >260 | >250 | >260 | ASTM D92 |
| Solubility in TCE (%) | >99.5 | >99.5 | >99.5 | ASTM D2042 |
| Density @25°C (g/cm³) | 1.02–1.04 | 1.01–1.03 | 1.03–1.05 | ASTM D70 |
| After TFOT: Pen retention (%) | ≥63 | ≥60 | ≥65 | ASTM D1754 |
| After TFOT: Ductility @15°C (cm) | ≥40 | ≥50 | ≥30 | ASTM D113 |
| Wax content (%) | ≤2.5 | ≤2.5 | ≤2.0 | DIN 52015 |
Practical grade selection:
- 60/70 pen — the highest-volume export grade. Best for hot-mix asphalt in tropical and subtropical climates (Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East road surfaces).
- 80/100 pen — softer binder for colder regions and for emulsion/ cutback manufacturing.
- 40/50 pen — hard-grade binder for heavy-duty pavements, airport runways, and polymer modification feedstock.
| Format | Net weight | MOQ | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| New steel drums | 150 kg / 180 kg | 1 x 20'FCL (≈ 4,200 drums / 20 MT approx) | Small importers, retail |
| Bulk in bitutankers | 20–30 MT | 1 tanker | Local distributors |
| Flexitank (20' container) | 20–24 MT | 1 container | Emerging markets |
| Bulk vessel (ISO tank or ship tank) | 5,000–30,000 MT | 5,000 MT | Large infrastructure projects |
> Cost note: Drummed cargo adds USD 45–70 per MT versus bulk FOB, mainly from drum cost, stuffing labor, and lower container payload efficiency.
Price Data: Maoming vs. Competing Export Origins
Pricing for Maoming bitumen tracks crude benchmarks with a 2–4 week lag and a refinery margin spread that varies by season. The table below shows indicative FOB prices (USD/MT) for 60/70 penetration grade, packaged in bulk vessel quantities, as of 2025 market conditions.
| Origin | Grade | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Sulfur (%) | Avg. Lead Time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maoming (Sinopec) | 60/70 | 390–450 | 0.20–0.30 | 7–14 |
| Iran (Bandar Abbas) | 60/70 | 350–410 | 1.00–1.50 | 10–20 |
| South Korea (SK/GS) | 60/70 | 420–480 | 0.30–0.50 | 5–10 |
| Singapore (Shell/Esso) | 60/70 | 440–520 | 0.30–0.60 | 5–8 |
| Thailand (PTT) | 60/70 | 410–470 | 0.40–0.70 | 7–12 |
Price drivers specific to Maoming:
- Crude slate: Saudi Arab Light OSP changes move Maoming FOB by roughly 1:0.75 ratio.
- Domestic demand: Q3–Q4 Chinese road construction season tightens export allocation.
- Freight: Zhanjiang to Southeast Asia (Singapore, Ho Chi Minh) runs USD 25–45/MT; to West Africa (Lagos, Tema) USD 60–95/MT.
- Payment terms: 100% T/T in advance for new buyers; 30% deposit + 70% against B/L copy for established accounts.
Quality Control & Third-Party Testing
Every Maoming export batch is tested at the refinery's in-house laboratory and can be verified independently at loading port. Buyers importing under Letters of Credit should require the following document set:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — batch-specific, issued by Sinopec Maoming lab
- Third-party inspection — SGS, Intertek, or BV at Zhanjiang/Maoming port
- Pre-shipment sample — 1 kg retained per 500 MT, sealed and counter-signed
- Mill test certificate — confirming JTG F40-2004 Class A compliance
| Dispute | Root cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration out of spec | Thermal aging during long storage/transport | Specify max 30 days from production to loading |
| Softening point low | Grade mix-up or hot-weather storage | Require COA + independent retest at discharge |
| High wax content | Not applicable to Maoming (≤2.5%) | Confirm SDA-process origin in contract |
| Ductility failure | Overheating above 180°C during transfer | Require temperature log from loading to discharge |
Field data from African and Southeast Asian importers shows Maoming 60/70 typically passes discharge retest on penetration (±5 units), softening point (±3°C), and 15°C ductility (>100cm) in over 95% of shipments when stored below 160°C.
Logistics: From Maoming to Your Port
Maoming's two export terminals — Maoming Port (Bomu area) and Zhanjiang Port — handle bitumen through dedicated liquid berths and container yards.
| Route | Mode | Transit Time | Typical Freight (USD/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maoming → Singapore | Bulk vessel | 5–7 days | 25–40 |
| Maoming → Ho Chi Minh | Bulk vessel | 4–6 days | 22–35 |
| Maoming → Jakarta | Bulk vessel | 7–10 days | 30–45 |
| Maoming → Lagos | Bulk vessel | 30–38 days | 60–95 |
| Maoming → Mombasa | Bulk vessel | 22–28 days | 55–80 |
| Maoming → Santos | Bulk vessel | 38–45 days | 70–100 |
Documentation timeline (typical):
- Day 0: Contract signed, LC opened
- Day 1–3: Production allocation and drumming (if applicable)
- Day 4–7: Inland transport to port, customs declaration
- Day 8–12: Loading, draft survey, COA and B/L issued
- Day 12–14: Documents couriered; discharge port clearance begins
For drummed and flexitank FCL cargo, add 3–5 days for container stuffing and yard positioning at Zhanjiang.
FAQ: China Maoming Bitumen
Q1: What is the penetration grade of Maoming bitumen?
Maoming bitumen is most commonly exported in 60/70, 80/100, and 40/50 penetration grades, tested to JTG F40-2004 and ASTM D946. The 60/70 grade accounts for roughly 60% of export volume and is the standard choice for tropical road construction.
Q2: What is the FOB price of Maoming bitumen in 2025?
Indicative FOB prices for 60/70 penetration grade in bulk vessel quantities range from USD 390 to 450 per metric ton, depending on crude benchmarks, order volume, and payment terms. Drummed cargo adds USD 45–70/MT, and freight to Southeast Asia runs USD 25–45/MT.
Q3: How does Maoming bitumen compare to Iran or South Korea bitumen?
Maoming sits between the two: it is priced USD 20–40/MT above Iranian bulk but USD 30–70/MT below South Korean material, while offering lower sulfur (0.20–0.30%) than Iranian grades (1.00–1.50%). Buyers prioritizing sulfur compliance and fast Southeast Asian transit typically choose Maoming.
Q4: What is the minimum order quantity for Maoming bitumen export?
MOQ is 20 MT for flexitank or drummed FCL cargo, 20–30 MT for bitutanker shipments, and 5,000 MT for bulk vessel parcels. Most first-time importers start with 1–3 containers (60–72 MT) to validate quality before scaling to bulk.
Q5: What is the delivery time from Maoming to Southeast Asia?
Bulk vessel transit from Maoming/Zhanjiang to Singapore or Ho Chi Minh City is 4–7 days, plus 7–14 days for production allocation, loading, and documentation. Total door-to-port lead time for a repeat bulk order averages 18–25 days.
Ready to Calculate Your Landed Cost?
Maoming bitumen quality is verifiable, consistent, and priced competitively against Iranian, Korean, and Singaporean alternatives — but the real decision hinges on landed cost per MT at your discharge port, not FOB.
Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model:
- FOB price by grade and volume
- Freight and insurance to your destination port
- Drumming, flexitank, or bulk packaging differentials
- Import duty and port charges at discharge
- Storage and handling at your yard
Plug in your target port, grade, and monthly volume — and get a break-even analysis against alternative origins in under two minutes.