Introduction: Bitumen and the UAE’s Infrastructure Vision

Bitumen is a fundamental material for road construction, and in the UAE—where infrastructure development is a national priority—it holds strategic significance.
Penetration grade bitumen, especially the 60/70 grade, is preferred for its balance of hardness and flexibility, making it ideal for high-temperature environments and heavy-duty surfaces.

This article outlines why bitumen 60/70 is indispensable for the UAE’s road networks, infrastructure goals, and supply chain demands.

What Is Penetration Grade Bitumen 60/70?

Penetration grade bitumen is categorized by how deep a standard needle penetrates the sample under set conditions, measured in 1/10 mm.
Bitumen 60/70 refers to a medium-hard grade with a penetration range between 60 and 70.

It’s widely used in asphalt mixtures for flexible pavements and offers optimal performance in hot climates by resisting rutting while maintaining workability during mixing and compaction.

UAE’s Preference for 60/70 in Road Projects

Due to the UAE’s extreme desert climate, road materials must perform under sustained heat, UV radiation, and heavy traffic loads.
Bitumen 60/70 has proven effective in withstanding thermal cracking and oxidation. It also aligns with UAE construction codes and federal specifications, making it the default choice in:

Commercial Demand and Market Trends

The UAE’s penetration grade bitumen demand is growing due to:

According to TradeMap.org, imports of HS Code 271320 (bitumen and asphalt) have increased consistently, with key suppliers including Iran, India, and Singapore.
Bitumen remains a strategic import product due to limited local refining of specialty grades.

Sourcing and Supply Chain Considerations

Bitumen 60/70 is transported in:

It requires heated storage tanks, insulated delivery, and compliance documentation such as TDS, MSDS, and COA.
Import hubs like Jebel Ali and Sharjah handle bulk distribution, and local distributors manage logistics under UAE customs regulations.

Challenges include:

The Role of Chemical Distributors

For construction contractors and infrastructure developers, sourcing bitumen through trusted chemical supply platforms offers benefits such as:

Distributors like Chemtradeasia help bridge the gap between international producers and local buyers through flexible sourcing models and transparent transactions.

Conclusion: A Strategic Construction Material

As the UAE continues its drive toward sustainable urbanization, transport infrastructure upgrades, and climate-resilient construction, penetration grade bitumen 60/70 will remain at the center of the nation’s road-building efforts.

Its superior performance under heat, load, and environmental stress makes it the material of choice for both government projects and private-sector development.
For B2B buyers in the UAE, understanding technical specs, supplier reliability, and import logistics is key to staying competitive in this high-demand sector.