Export Packaging Options for Penetration Grade Bitumen (60/70)

For penetration grade bitumen such as Bitumen 60/70, packaging selection is primarily influenced by how the material will be handled and used at the destination.
Each packaging method offers specific operational advantages depending on unloading conditions, storage facilities, consumption rate, and available equipment.

Rather than being superior or inferior, each packaging option is designed for a particular usage scenario at destination.

Steel Drum Packaging

Benefits at Destination

Steel drum packaging offers maximum flexibility once the shipment arrives. Each drum is an independent unit, allowing controlled handling, storage, and consumption without the need for centralized equipment.

Drums can be stored outdoors or indoors for extended periods and opened gradually based on project demand. This makes them particularly suitable for projects where bitumen is not consumed continuously.

Custom drum sizes, including large drums up to 2 metric tons, further improve efficiency for buyers seeking reduced handling frequency while maintaining unit-based control.

Typical Usage at Destination

At destination, drums are:

• Stored in yards or warehouses

• Heated individually using drum heaters, hot plates, or bitumen kettles

• Opened and discharged manually or mechanically into mixing systems

This method allows staged consumption and is ideal when bitumen is used intermittently or distributed across multiple sites.

Jumbo Bag Packaging (Bitubag)

Benefits at Destination

Jumbo bag packaging simplifies handling by delivering bitumen in large, unitized blocks. It reduces the number of handling points compared to drums while avoiding the need for liquid bulk discharge systems.

Because jumbo bags are solid during transport, they offer clean storage and efficient stacking. Packaging waste is reduced, and unloading operations are generally faster.

Typical Usage at Destination

At destination, jumbo bags are:

• Placed directly into melting kettles or heating chambers

• Melted gradually until the bag material separates

• Transferred as liquid bitumen into asphalt or mixing systems

This method is commonly used where buyers have melting equipment and prefer a balance between operational simplicity and cost efficiency.

Flexitank Packaging (Bulk Bitumen in Container)

Benefits at Destination

Flexitank packaging enables bulk delivery of penetration grade bitumen in liquid form. It minimizes unit handling and is suitable for operations designed around continuous or high-volume consumption.

By eliminating intermediate packaging, flexitanks allow direct transfer of bitumen from container to storage or processing systems.

Typical Usage at Destination

At destination, flexitank shipments require:

• Heating systems to maintain bitumen in liquid state

• Pumping equipment for discharge

• Temporary or permanent heated storage tanks

The bitumen is discharged directly into storage or processing facilities, making this method suitable for centralized operations with established infrastructure.

Practical Comparison Based on Destination Use

Final Perspective on Packaging Selection

The most suitable packaging method for penetration grade bitumen is determined by how the material will be used after arrival, not by packaging preference alone.
Storage conditions, consumption rate, available heating systems, and operational workflow at destination should guide the final decision.

Suppliers capable of offering multiple packaging formats provide buyers with the flexibility to align shipments with real project requirements.