Why Bitumen 60/70 Is a Top Choice for Road Construction in India?
India’s road-building boom has driven strong demand for paving-grade bitumen. Among penetration grades, Bitumen 60/70 remains widely used for hot-mix asphalt, surface dressing and general paving works because it balances performance and cost — making it ideal for diverse Indian climates and traffic loads. Faragam Bitumen supplies consistent, export-quality 60/70 bitumen for contractors and traders serving India’s infrastructure projects.
India’s Bitumen Demand: Scale & Trends
India’s annual bitumen consumption has been rising with accelerated road projects: consumption reached about 8.8 million tonnes in FY 2023–24 and was forecast to rise to ~10 million tonnes in FY 2024–25 as highway and urban road programs expanded. Major government programs and state road upgrades keep pressure on supply and push import needs during peak construction seasons.
Why 60/70 Penetration Grade Is Widely Used
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Paving-grade suitability: 60/70 is the classic paving (penetration) grade used for hot-mix asphalt across many countries including India — it provides the right mix of stiffness and flexibility for heavy traffic and seasonal temperature swings.
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Cost-effectiveness: Penetration grades like 60/70 are generally more affordable than some modified or specialist grades while delivering acceptable performance in most road layers.
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Versatility: Suitable for binder in hot mixes, tack coats and some surface treatments, which simplifies procurement logistics for contractors.
How Much Bitumen Does Road Construction in India Use?
Rough estimates for typical bituminous pavement show that bitumen requirement per km varies with pavement design (lane width, layer thickness), but with India building thousands of km of national and state highways yearly (for example, NHAI constructed several thousand kilometres in FY 2024–25 alone), the sector is a very large consumer of bitumen — accounting for a major share of national bitumen demand. Large-scale projects and peak paving seasons often push refiners and importers to ramp up supply.
Typical Uses of Bitumen 60/70 in Road Works
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Hot Mix Asphalt (base & wearing courses)
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Dense Bitumen Macadam and Bituminous Concrete
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Tack coats and prime coats (with appropriate emulsification)
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Some cold-applied surface dressings (when formulated properly)
India’s Bitumen Import Picture
Although India has significant refining capacity, it also imports bitumen to meet short-term demand spikes and specific grade needs. In 2023 India’s import statistics show large quantities sourced from countries including Iraq, UAE and Iran, among others — reflecting the role of imports in bridging supply gaps during busy construction periods.
Causes of High Bitumen Demand in India
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Massive road-building programs (national highways, state roads, urban projects).
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Rehabilitation & upgradation — widening, overlay and strengthening of existing networks.
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Seasonal cycles — concentrated paving seasons after monsoon increase short-term demand spikes.
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Growth of allied sectors — real estate, industrial corridors and airport/port connectivity projects.
Which Bitumen Grades Are Most Used in India?
India has traditionally used penetration grades (50/70, 60/70, 80/100) and is increasingly also specifying viscosity-graded (VG-10, VG-20) products for some applications. However, for general paving the 60/70 penetration grade remains a common and trusted choice because of its balance of stiffness/flexibility for typical Indian conditions. For specialized projects (highway overlays in extreme climates, heavy haul roads), modified or viscosity-graded binders may be specified.
Quality & Specification: What Contractors Need to Check
When sourcing 60/70 bitumen for Indian road projects, check:
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Penetration at 25°C (60–70 dmm)
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Softening point and ductility per relevant ASTM/IP/IS standards
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Flash point and loss on heating (ensuring safe handling)
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Traceability and certificates of analysis (COA) from supplier
Packaging & Logistics
Bitumen is commonly shipped in bulk (tankers, ISO tanks) or drums/jumbo bags for smaller orders. For imports, ensure timely customs clearance and planning for monsoon/peak-demand windows to avoid project delays.
Why Choose Faragam Bitumen as Your 60/70 Supplier
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Consistent quality: Faragam Bitumen offers penetration-grade 60/70 meeting international paving specs with full COA on every shipment.
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Flexible volumes: We handle bulk exports for large projects and parcel shipments for mid-size contractors.
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Focused logistics: Experience exporting to South Asia markets — optimized for port handling, customs documentation and delivery scheduling.
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Technical support: Pre-sale and post-sale technical assistance to match binder selection to pavement design and climate.
Call Faragam Bitumen today for samples, COAs and a competitive quote tailored to Indian project timelines. (Include contact / inquiry link)
India’s road program keeps bitumen demand strong; for general paving work the 60/70 penetration grade remains a practical, widely-specified choice. If you need reliable, export-grade Bitumen 60/70 for projects in India, contact Faragam Bitumen for product specifications, shipping lead-times and competitive pricing.
