Bulk Bitumen Vs. Drum Bitumen- Pros & Cons For Contractors

Bitumen is an important material used for the development of modern roads and infrastructure. The black, sticky, and versatile liquid is first produced by reputed refineries and then transported to different parts of the nation through leading bitumen suppliers. Bitumen transportation is a tedious task and requires proper packaging and expert handling to maintain its quality. Here, we will be discussing drum bitumen and bulk bitumen, highlighting the pros and cons of each for road contractors in different geographical settings, such as hilly and coastal areas. Also, we will be covering different types of bitumen packaging, pricing differences, size comparisons, and transportation challenges. Let’s begin!

Bitumen Packaging Types

Bitumen can be packed in different packaging types as per the project's demand. They are mainly packaged as drum bitumen and bulk bitumen. Each of these packaging has its own sets of pros and cons. Let’s explore these two packaging types in detail.

Drum Bitumen

Drum bitumen is generally referred to as a packaging type where bitumen is stored and transported in steel drums. Bitumen drum capacity may vary for each supplier. Drum packaging is ideal for supplying smaller amounts of bitumen for small projects and to remote locations where bulk transportation is not feasible. During transportation, these drums are tightly sealed and packed to avoid spillage and contamination.

How many kgs is a drum of bitumen?

Generally, a drum of bitumen stores around 180-200 kg of bitumen. The weight of an empty bitumen drum typically ranges around 9-10 kgs.

Bulk Bitumen

Bulk bitumen is a type of bitumen packaging where the versatile liquid is stored in large storage tankers. Bulk bitumen is transported to different locations for large-scale projects where large quantities are required for construction purposes quickly. Also, bulk delivery of bitumen eliminates the need for several steel drums and the cost of packaging for larger operations. Bitumen tankers' size is huge and they are used for transporting thousands of liters of bitumen to large-scale construction sites in coastal and hilly areas.

Bulk Bitumen vs Drum Bitumen Price

When talking about the cost, bulk bitumen is more affordable than drum bitumen. Bulk bitumen prices are lower as large quantities of bitumen are transported using storage tanks without the need for additional packaging. On the other hand, drum bitumen prices soar high due to their expensive packaging requirements.

While bulk bitumen may be cheaper for large-scale projects where large quantities of bitumen are readily required, drum bitumen in smaller quantities may be more economical despite their high cost per unit for small-scale projects.

What is the price of bulk bitumen per tonne in India?

Generally, a tonne of bulk bitumen may cost you around 48,000 to 53,000 INR. The cost may vary for each location and supplier.

Pros and Cons: Bulk Bitumen vs. Drum Bitumen

Bulk Bitumen Advantages-

• Affordability- Bulk bitumen can be a budget-friendly option for large-scale road and construction projects where higher quantities of bitumen are required to construct durable and modern roads and infrastructure.

• Efficiency- Bulk bitumen can be transported to construction sites more efficiently than drum bitumen. Plus, its economical packaging reduces the cost per unit, thus making it an economical affair as compared to drum bitumen.

• Reduced labour cost- Transportation of bulk bitumen is easier and does not involve high labour costs for loading and unloading of bitumen from the source station to the construction site.

Bulk Bitumen Disadvantages-

• Storage difficulties- Bulk bitumen requires large storage tankers or silos to store thousands of liters of the product. It can be difficult to transport such large storage tankers to congested spaces and environmentally sensitive areas with strict safety protocols.

• Risk of contamination and spillage- Improper packaging and handling of bulk bitumen may lead to contamination and spillage of bitumen, leading to wastage of the product during storage and transportation.

Drum Bitumen Pros-

• Storage efficiency- Since bitumen drums are smaller in size, they are easy to transport and store in facilities with limited storage space.

• Portability - Drum bitumen can be transported in smaller transport vehicles with lower load-bearing capacity. Smaller vehicles' requirement for transporting bitumen makes it easier for the suppliers to transport bitumen materials to tough and hilly locations or areas with limited access to large trucks.

• Quality control- Sealed bitumen drums help lower the risk of contamination and spillage, which reduces both product wastage and quality issues.

Drum Bitumen Cons-

• Higher cost- Specialised packaging, storage and handling by industry experts may lead to higher cost of drum bitumen as compared to bulk bitumen.

• Labour intensive- A team of skilled technicians and labour is required for proper storage and handling of drum bitumen to maintain its consistency and quality. Also, bitumen contractors may need specialized equipment to move around drum bitumen in the facilities, thus increasing an additional cost for the same.

• Environmental impact- The use of steel drums creates more waste and requires proper disposal or recycling after use.

Bulk Bitumen vs. Drum Bitumen- Geographical limitations

Choosing the right kind of bitumen can be challenging for new contractors. Here, we will be discussing certain points to highlight the pros and cons of both bulk and drum bitumen as per the geographical limitations.

In hilly regions

• The narrow, widening, and high-altitude roads of Uttrakhand make it difficult to supply bulk bitumen in areas such as Dehradun and Rishikesh. Also, the hilly terrains delay the delivery process and increase transportation costs for bitumen traders in Dehradun. Here, using drum bitumen for road and infrastructure construction may help reduce delivery time and cost for contractors.

• Bulk bitumen requires a team of experts for proper storage and handling of bitumen to maintain its purity and consistency. Reputed bitumen traders in Rishikesh like Classic bitumen are committed to delivering both bulk bitumen and drum bitumen for small and large-scale projects without compromising on the quality of the product. However, due to difficult terrains and limited storage facilities in hilly regions, it's often best to use drum bitumen.

• Bitumen is sensitive to temperature and needs to be stored at the ideal temperature to maintain its quality and consistency. It may be difficult for contractors in remote areas to find temperature-controlled storage facilities. However, leading bitumen traders in Haridwar are equipped with specialized and temperature-controlled storage and distribution units for proper storage and transportation of bitumen to different parts of the country.

In coastal areas

• While Rajasthan has some well-maintained and high-speed road networks, remote areas still lack good infrastructure. Here, transportation of bulk bitumen through huge tanker trucks can be expensive for small-scale contractors with limited storage facilities. Also, during the peak summer months, exposure to high temperatures may cause overheating and consistency issues in bitumen. Therefore, it is always best to source the best-quality bitumen from leading bitumen traders in Rajasthan. Also, reputed bitumen traders in Rajasthan are equipped with temperature-controlled storage facilities for both bulk and drum bitumen.

• Even though drums don’t need large storage tanks for transportation in coastal regions like Gujarat, drums still need considerable space. Also, drums need to be properly disposed of after each use to reduce environmental impact. Top bitumen traders in Gujarat may guide new contractors on proper storage and disposal of the empty drums after each use to reduce environmental impact.

• Drums are less suitable for large-scale projects where large volumes of bitumen are needed. A contractor would require many drums to meet the needs of a large-scale project, which leads to inefficiencies, frequent restocking, and delays in project timelines. However, the availability of top bitumen suppliers in Mumbai and other bigger cities may help you restock bitumen for your ongoing projects without delays and inconvenience.

The bottom line

The choice between bulk and drum bitumen highly depends upon the geographical locations and the scale of the projects. Bulk bitumen is highly suited for large-scale projects in coastal areas where large tanker trucks can navigate easily. On the other hand, drum bitumen is ideal for small-scale projects in hilly terrains. Understanding the unique demands of each region is crucial for selecting the most effective bitumen delivery method.

If you are looking for bulk or drum bitumen for your existing or upcoming construction projects, click here to get the best quotation and more details.