Similar to how ensuring the usage of the right type of bitumen is vital for a project, so is choosing the right packaging. Factors such as cost, environment, storage, transportation and project scale need to be taken into consideration into before selecting the packaging. Bitumen packaging is divided into three different types: steel drums/barrel; Jumbo bag and bulk, which are selected based on their specifications, volume and weight of bitumen.

Steel drums: traditional industry standard.

Drums are traditional barrels made of steel, commonly used for storing and transporting bitumen. They come in various sizes, usually ranging from 150 kg. 180 kg and 200 kg and are sealed with a lid to prevent leakage. 

Uses:

Drums are suitable for smaller scale bitumen applications, such as patching roads, repairing asphalt surfaces, or supplying bitumen for smaller construction projects.

Advantages:

• Sturdy and durable, providing protection for the bitumen during storage and transit.
• The sealed lid ensures that the bitumen remains secure and prevents contamination or spillage.
• Easy to handle and transport, making them suitable for onsite use or delivery to remote locations.
• Steel drums are recyclable, offering an environmentally friendly packaging option.

Specification:

Our drums are made from new European standard steel sheets and come in net weight sizes of 150 kg, 180 kg, and 200 kg. Thickness can be customized from the standard 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm.

Jumbo Bags: Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers

Jumbo bags, also known as FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers), Bitubag, Big bag and Bulk bag, are large, heavy duty bags designed to transport and store bulk bitumen. They are made of woven polypropylene and can hold a significant amount of material, typically ranging from 500 to 2000 kilograms. 

Uses:

Jumbo bags are ideal for transporting bitumen in large quantities. They are commonly used in construction sites, asphalt plants, and other industrial settings where bitumen is needed in bulk for road construction, waterproofing, or roofing applications.

Advantages:

• Cost savings compared to traditional packaging methods such as drums or containers
• Requires less space when empty, making them convenient for transport and storage
• Can be lifted and moved using forklifts or cranes, simplifying the loading, and unloading process
• Can be tailored to specific sizes and weight capacities to meet the requirements of different projects
• Engineered to be completely melted down alongside the bitumen at temperatures of 160°C to 170°C, leaving no residual waste.

Specification:

They are constructed from UV stabilized woven polypropylene. Bitumen jumbo bags are designed for the cost effective transport and storage of solid or semi solid paving bitumen. They hold a safe working load (SWL) of 300 kg to 1,300 kg and can be melted alongside the bitumen.  

BITUBOX: Efficient Bitumen Packaging

Bitubox is a multilayered cardboard container particularly designed for the transportation of bitumen.  Bitumen packaged in Bitubox can be transported via sea containers or cargo trucks across continents. The shape and volume of Bitubox allow for maximum vehicle loading, making it suitable for transportation using conventional vehicles, from regional to international traffic.

Uses

it is highly helpful for reducing melting time with the three stage technological process that would take around 3 hours, unlike traditional preparation that takes two days. Bitubox is effectively designed to ease the loading, unloading and storage process, as the bottom of Bitubox is made up of pallets. Bitubox is ideal for convenient bitumen transportation, cost effective, and environmentally friendly packaging solution.

Advantages:

• Bitubox is highly effective in reducing transportation and storage costs as it takes up less space than metal containers due to its convenient cubic shape and volume.
• It does not take up extra space due to its excellent cubic shape and volume at the refinery. Bitumen can be stored in bitubox in any climate even in open and closed areas.
• Bitubox is covered with pp layer which has waterproof property that works against moisture and other environmental factors that disturb the quality of the bitumen.
• As the Bitubox has insulation and waterproof properties, there is no requirement for frequent heating which ensures the quality of bitumen. Also, the physical and chemical properties of bitumen are preserved.
• Cold storage eliminates heating costs at each transportation stage, from the refinery to the end user. Additionally, Bitubox is made of multilayered cardboard that is 100% degradable, resulting in no pollution. With Bitubox, the amount of bitumen to be packaged can be customized correspond to the amount consumed, ensuring no unused residue is left on-site.

Specification:

Made out of multilayered cardboard and a pallet bottom the bitubox has a load Capacity of 940 kg to 1000 kg, with Length and width of 1140 mm and a height of 1090 mm

Bitutainers: specialized shipping containers

Bitutainers are specialized shipping containers designed for the transportation of bitumen. They are typically made of steel and insulated to maintain the temperature of the bitumen during transit. Bitutainers are preferred for bulk bitumen transportation.

Uses:

Bitutainers are used for long-distance transportation of bitumen, especially for international shipments or large-scale construction projects requiring a continuous supply of bitumen.

Advantages:

• The insulation of bitutainers helps to maintain the temperature of the bitumen, preventing it from solidifying or becoming too viscous during transit.
• Bitutainers are equipped with locking mechanisms to ensure the security of the bitumen during transport and storage.
• They allow for bulk transportation of bitumen, reducing the need for frequent refills and minimizing transportation costs.
• Bitutainers can be transported via various modes of transportation, including ships, trains, and trucks, making them suitable for international shipping and logistics.

Specification:

Bitutainers are usually a standard 20ft to 40ft Container for liquid transportation, a typical 20ft unit can hold 20 to 25 metric tons of bitumen. They also have insulation of temperatures up to 180°C to ensure the preservation of the bitumen in its ideal condition.

Figuring which bitumen packaging solution is best suited for your project

A comparison between the bitumen packaging solutions at Petra oil Bitumen for you to choose from based on your project requirements.

Petraoil provides bitumen in various packaging at the client’s request. When you are buying bitumen, consider the cost, logistics, and environment primarily.

We will be very happy to help you to choose the right packing of your bitumen. Please contact us for more information.