Cutback Bitumen — Liquid Bitumen Supplier from Turkey & UAE
Cutback bitumen (also known as liquid bitumen or cutback asphalt) is penetration-grade bitumen dissolved in a petroleum solvent — kerosene, naphtha, or diesel — to reduce its viscosity for cold-climate application and road maintenance without heating. Once applied, the solvent evaporates, leaving a durable bitumen binder. Zumrut International Kimya supplies all three types of cutback bitumen — Rapid Curing (RC), Medium Curing (MC), and Slow Curing (SC) — FOB Iskenderun (Turkey) and Jebel Ali (UAE), packed in new steel drums, IBC tanks, or bulk flexi-tankers.
Types of Cutback Bitumen
Cutback bitumen is classified by the volatility of its solvent, which determines how fast it cures after application. The three standard types under ASTM D2027 / D2028 are:
| Type | Solvent | Curing Speed | Main Application | Available Grades |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Curing (RC) | Naphtha / Gasoline | Fast (hours) | Prime coat, surface dressing, spray sealing | RC-30, RC-70, RC-250, RC-800 |
| Medium Curing (MC) | Kerosene | Medium (days) | Cold mix asphalt, tack coat, stockpile mixes | MC-30, MC-70, MC-250, MC-800, MC-3000 |
| Slow Curing (SC) | Diesel / Heavy Oil | Slow (weeks) | Dust suppression, road mixing, seal coat | SC-70, SC-250, SC-800, SC-3000 |
Cutback Bitumen Grades — Full Product List
Rapid Curing (RC) Grades
| Grade | Viscosity at 60°C (cSt) | Typical Use | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC-30 | 30 – 60 | Prime coat on granular base | ASTM D2027 |
| RC-70 | 70 – 140 | Surface dressing & spray sealing | ASTM D2027 |
| RC-250 | 250 – 500 | Chip seal, emergency patching | ASTM D2027 |
| RC-800 | 800 – 1600 | Heavy-duty spray sealing | ASTM D2027 |
Medium Curing (MC) Grades
| Grade | Viscosity at 60°C (cSt) | Typical Use | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC-30 | 30 – 60 | Prime coat, penetrating base layer | ASTM D2028 |
| MC-70 | 70 – 140 | Tack coat, chip seal, dust control | ASTM D2028 |
| MC-250 | 250 – 500 | Cold mix asphalt, stockpile binder | ASTM D2028 |
| MC-800 | 800 – 1600 | Pavement overlay, road repair | ASTM D2028 |
| MC-3000 | 3000 – 6000 | High-viscosity cold mix, base stabilization | ASTM D2028 |
Slow Curing (SC) Grades
| Grade | Viscosity at 60°C (cSt) | Typical Use | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC-70 | 70 – 140 | Dust suppression on gravel roads | ASTM D2026 |
| SC-250 | 250 – 500 | Road mixing, surface sealing | ASTM D2026 |
| SC-800 | 800 – 1600 | Heavy industrial road sealing | ASTM D2026 |
| SC-3000 | 3000 – 6000 | Stabilization, base course treatment | ASTM D2026 |
Applications of Cutback Bitumen
Cutback bitumen is used wherever conventional hot bitumen cannot be applied — in cold climates, rural areas without heating equipment, and emergency repair situations. Key applications include:
1. Prime Coat
The most common application of cutback bitumen is as a prime coat applied directly to a prepared granular base layer before laying asphalt. MC-30 and RC-70 are the standard grades for this use. The low viscosity allows the binder to penetrate the base and bond it to the asphalt overlay. See our detailed guide: Cutback Bitumen in Prime Coat and Tack Coat.
2. Tack Coat
A thin application of MC-70 or RC-70 between two asphalt layers ensures proper adhesion. Without a tack coat, layers can slip and delaminate under traffic load.
3. Cold Mix Asphalt
MC-250 and MC-800 are widely used as binders in cold mix asphalt — a mixture of aggregate and liquid bitumen produced at ambient temperature. This is the preferred method in remote areas where hot-mix plant operations are not feasible.
4. Dust Suppression
SC grades (SC-70, SC-250) are sprayed on unpaved gravel roads to suppress dust and bind surface particles. This application is particularly common in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and rural road networks.
5. Surface Dressing & Spray Sealing
RC-250 and RC-800 are used in chip seal / surface dressing — a spray of cutback bitumen followed by aggregate chippings — to waterproof and protect aging asphalt at low cost.
6. Road Repair & Patching
RC grades allow rapid road reopening after patching. Emergency repairs where traffic downtime must be minimized typically specify RC-250 or RC-800.
Cutback Bitumen vs. Bitumen Emulsion
| Property | Cutback Bitumen | Bitumen Emulsion |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier / Diluent | Petroleum solvent (kerosene, naphtha) | Water + emulsifier |
| Residual bitumen content | 80 – 90% | 40 – 70% |
| Curing mechanism | Solvent evaporation | Water evaporation / breaking |
| Adhesion to aggregate | Excellent (direct bond) | Good (depends on aggregate charge) |
| Environmental impact | Higher (VOC emissions) | Lower (water-based) |
| Application temperature | Ambient (no heating needed) | Ambient (no heating needed) |
| Shelf life | Longer | Shorter (6–12 months) |
| Cold weather performance | Excellent | Limited (may freeze) |
For a full comparison, see: Bitumen Emulsion vs. Cutback Bitumen — Detailed Comparison.
Packaging & Export Terms
Zumrut International Kimya exports cutback in the following packing options, with full documentation (COA, SGS/Intertek inspection, BL, MSDS):
| Packing | Net Weight | Load / 20ft Container |
|---|---|---|
| New steel drum (203 L) | 185 ± 5 kg | ~16 MT |
| Reconditioned steel drum (203 L) | 185 ± 5 kg | ~16 MT |
| IBC Tank / Flexi Tank | Up to 1,000 L | ~20 MT |
| Bulk bitutainer / tanker | As agreed | Full tanker load |
Shipping ports: Iskenderun & Mersin (Turkey) | Jebel Ali (UAE)
Incoterms: FOB, CFR, CIF
HS Code: 2713.20.00
Min. order: 1 × 20ft container (≈16–20 MT depending on packing)
Why Choose Zumrut International Kimya?
- Direct supply from refineries in Turkey and UAE — competitive FOB pricing
- Full compliance: ASTM D2026 / D2027 / D2028 and EN standards
- SGS / Intertek quality inspection available at loading port
- LC, TT, and other payment terms accepted
- Experienced export team covering Africa, Asia, and the Middle East
