Bitumen Grade 90/15

Bitumen Grade 90/15

Bitumen grade 90/15 (also written penetration grade 90/15) is a paving-grade bitumen with a penetration depth of 80–100 dmm at 25°C (nominal 90) and a softening point of 39–47°C, which corresponds to a Penetration Index (PI) of roughly -1.0 to +1.0. It is produced mainly in the Middle East and Asia, sold in 150 kg, 180 kg, and 1,000 kg jumbo bags or as bulk in 20–25 MT ISO tank containers and heated vessels, and typically prices in the range of USD 380–520 per metric ton FOB depending on crude origin, season, and freight. A standard 20-foot container holds about 20–25 MT packed in bags, and delivery from a Jebel Ali or Bandar Abbas loading port to a West African or South Asian discharge port usually runs 18–35 days depending on routing.

What Does "90/15" Actually Mean?

The "90" refers to penetration, not to a percentage. In penetration-graded systems (ASTM D946 / EN 12591), the number indicates the depth in tenths of a millimeter that a standard needle penetrates a bitumen sample at 25°C in 5 seconds under a 100 g load. Grade 90/15 gives 80–100 dmm, making it a mid-range paving bitumen — softer than 60/70, harder than 40/50 is not correct; 40/50 is harder, 90/15 is softer.

The "15" is the lower bound of the softening point specification in many supplier datasheets (softening point min 15°C above... — however, in practice most spec sheets publish a Ring & Ball softening point of 39–47°C). Some suppliers write the grade as "90/15" to signal a Penetration Index near +0.5 to +1.0 and better temperature susceptibility than plain "90 pen." Always confirm with the actual CoA — the suffix is not standardized across refineries.

• Penetration: 80–100 dmm — the defining spec.
• Softening point: 39–47°C — governs high-temperature rutting resistance.
• Flash point: ≥ 220°C — safety and handling.
• Bag weight: 150 / 180 / 1,000 kg.
• Container load: 20–25 MT per 20-ft.

Bitumen 90/15 vs 60/70 vs 40/50 vs 80/100

Buyers frequently compare 90/15 against the two dominant grades — 60/70 and 80/100 — and against the harder 40/50. The trade-off is always stiffness vs. workability.

Reading the table:

• 40/50 is roughly 15–18% more expensive than 60/70 because it requires harder crudes and tighter processing.
• 90/15 sits 2–8% below 60/70 on price in most markets but delivers better low-temperature cracking resistance.
• If your design temperature drops below -5°C, 90/15 outperforms 60/70 on thermal cracking; if it exceeds 35°C in summer, 60/70 or 40/50 is safer.

• Medium-traffic roads up to ~10 million ESA (Equivalent Single Axle loads).
• Temperate zones with average annual highs of 20–30°C.
• Cold-weather regions where 60/70 would crack.
• Spray sealing and surface dressing where flexibility matters.
• As a blending component to soften harder grades.

Global Supply, Pricing, and Packaging

Grade 90/15 is a secondary grade at most refineries — output follows 60/70 by a wide margin — so availability is lumpier and pricing more volatile than for 60/70. Main origins shift with crude slates and sanctions.

Pricing mechanics — what moves the number:

• Brent crude: a USD 10/bbl move shifts bitumen roughly USD 25–40/MT.
• Season: Q1 and Q4 (Northern Hemisphere off-season) trade 3–7% below peak Q2/Q3.
• Freight: a USD 10/MT swing between Basra and Lagos is common depending on tanker rates.
• Viscosity/CoA compliance: off-spec or re-blended cargoes discount 5–12%.

• Bagged cargo is best for destinations without bulk discharge capability (much of West Africa, South Asia, Latin America).
• ISO tanks reduce handling losses and contamination risk, but require heated storage.
• Expect 0.3–1.0% handling loss on bagged cargo vs. 0.1–0.3% on ISO tanks.

Quality Standards, Testing, and Inspection

Grade 90/15 is typically traded against ASTM D946 (US), EN 12591 (EU), or IS 73 (India) specifications, though many Middle East producers issue a CoA to a hybrid spec. Because the grade label isn't globally fixed, always demand the Certificate of Analysis and verify three numbers: penetration, softening point, and flash point.

• CoA from loading port matching the specified grade — penetration within 80–100 dmm.
• Independent surveyor (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) sampling at loading.
• Sealing and labeling of each bag with batch/lot number.
• Weight verification — a full 20-ft should net 22.5–24.5 MT.
• Softening point and PI verification if the grade is critical to mix design.

Red flags:

• CoA values clustered at the exact edge of every spec range (suspicious — real batches vary within the range).
• No lot/batch traceability.
• Price more than 10% below market — usually re-blended or off-spec.
• Seller refuses third-party inspection at loading.

How to Calculate Delivered Cost and Choose a Supplier

The FOB headline price is rarely the number that matters — the landed cost per MT at your plant gate is. Buyers should build the cost stack explicitly.

Supplier evaluation — five questions that filter 80% of bad deals:

1. Does the CoA match the spec range, not just the grade label?

2. Can they supply a consistent volume of, say, 500–2,000 MT/month, or are they a spot trader?

3. Who is the actual refiner, and can they provide a direct refinery letter of authorization?

4. What is the payment structure — LC at sight, TT, or documents against acceptance?

5. What is the historical on-time delivery rate? Ask for references with dates and volumes.

• Broker-only sellers with no refinery relationship.
• Demands for 100% advance payment with no inspection clause.
• Vague on origin — "Middle East" without naming the port or refinery.
• Prices quoted without loading port or Incoterm.

FAQ: Bitumen Grade 90/15

What is bitumen grade 90/15?

Bitumen grade 90/15 is a penetration-grade paving bitumen with a penetration of 80–100 dmm at 25°C and a softening point of 39–47°C. The "90" indicates the nominal penetration and the "15" is a supplier suffix relating to the softening point spec. It is used mainly in temperate climates for medium-traffic roads and surface treatments.

How much does bitumen 90/15 cost per ton?

Indicative FOB prices range from USD 380 to 540 per metric ton depending on origin, season, and packaging. Landed cost typically adds USD 85–210 per MT for freight, insurance, port charges, and inland delivery. Prices track Brent crude — a USD 10/bbl move shifts the price roughly USD 25–40/MT.

What is the difference between 60/70 and 90/15 bitumen?

90/15 is softer (80–100 dmm penetration) than 60/70 (60–70 dmm), with a lower softening point (39–47°C vs. 48–56°C). This makes 90/15 more flexible in cold weather but more prone to rutting in hot climates. It typically costs 2–8% less than 60/70.

How many tons of bitumen 90/15 fit in a 20-foot container?

A standard 20-ft container holds 22.5–24.5 MT of bagged bitumen 90/15, using 150 kg or 180 kg polybags. Jumbo bags (1,000 kg) allow 22–24 MT, while an ISO tank carries 20–25 MT in bulk. Always verify net weight with an independent surveyor.

Where is bitumen grade 90/15 produced?

Major producers include refineries in Iran (Bandar Abbas), the UAE (Jebel Ali), Iraq