‘Bitumen crucial parameter in planning road projects’

Experts from as many as 20 countries across Asia gathered on Monday here to discuss the challenges and market opportunities in Asia’s large Bitumen market at the Tenth Asian Bitemne Conference (B 2015), held in India for the first time. The conference was inaugurated on Monday in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas who also delivered the inaugural address.

He said, “With road infastructure of 3.3 million kilometers, India has the second largest road network in the world, second to USA. Roads are the lifeline of any country, road network is also critical to the country’s social and security needs. The current government has kept the development of roads at a high priority by allocating more than 10% of the total spending for the same.” 

Pradhan further said that  over 90% roads in India have to be bituminous. In such a scenario, Bitumen becomes an important parameter in planning and execution of road construction projects in India. Owing to the diverse climatic conditions, it requires better understanding of bitumen supply and demand in the country. He said, “Such a conference provides a lucrative opportunity to the sector and people connected with bitumen supply and demand.

“In 2014-2015, total bitumen sales in India were 4.8 million metric tonnes.  I’m happy to note that bitumen products are being introduced at all the refineries in the country for the better performance of roads in India. I’m sure this would go a long way in facilitating a smoother and faster road network in India,” said Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The first day of the conference witnessed the presence of key experts and speakers from across the world including from the US, Iran, UAE, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India, who discussed the latest market trends and technical developments in the bitumen industry, and offered insights into new challenges and opportunities offered by the emerging Asian bitumen market.

“India has the second largest road network in the world. Today’s government at the center has made huge plans for the road development in the country and this leads to the increase in demand of Bitumen in India. 

“Presently, 90% of India’s road requirement is met by the local oil companies. The balance is imported. India also exports during the monsoon season from the east coast. The organised conference is to highlight the use and utilisation of Bitumen in India. I’m sure in the two days seminar, there would be meaningful discussions on India’s future requirement, production, new technologies, imports and exports,” said Ravikanth Reddy, CEO, Hotcrete Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, India.

“It is for the first time that Asian conference is being organised in India in its 10 year history and we are happy to have Dharmendra Pradhan as our chief guest,” Reddy added in his welcome address.  Global bitumen demand is expected to reach 122 million tons in 2018 and the increasing road construction activities in the fast growing markets of China and India are expected to drive the growth of the bitumen market in Asia.