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Bitume 35/50 : spécifications EN 12591, uses and bulk purchasing
The 35/50 is a semi-hard bitumen, and it is one of the grades most widely used in France for hot mix asphalt. Where the 60/70 dominates the markets of Africa and the Middle East, the 35/50 is the reference of European specifications under heavy traffic. If your tender is written to French or European standards, it is most likely the grade being asked of you.
What is 35/50 bitumen?
The designation indicates penetration: at 25 °C, the standardised needle penetrates 35 to 50 tenths of a millimetre (EN 1426 test). It is a harder grade than the 50/70 and the 60/70: it deforms less under heat, which makes it the preferred binder for pavements subject to heavy, slow or channelled traffic — the configurations that cause rutting.
EN 12591 specifications
| Characteristic | 35/50 requirement | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C | 35–50 (0,1 mm) | EN 1426 |
| Softening point (ring and ball) | 50–58 °C | EN 1427 |
| Point d’éclair Cleveland | ≥ 240 °C | EN ISO 2592 |
| Solubility | ≥ 99,0 % | EN 12592 |
| Paraffin (wax) content | ≤ 4,5 % | EN 12606-2 |
After RTFOT hardening at 163 °C (EN 12607-1):
| Characteristic | Requirement | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Change of mass | ≤ 0,5 % | EN 12607-1 |
| Retained penetration | ≥ 53 % | EN 1426 |
| Increase in softening point | ≤ 8 °C | EN 1427 |
Requirements of the European standard EN 12591 for grade 35/50. The contractual values of each cargo are those of the refinery’s certificate of analysis, verifiable by independent pre-shipment inspection. independent pre-shipment inspection.
What is 35/50 used for?
Wearing, binder and base courses of hot mix asphalt, wherever the pavement takes heavy loads: national roads and motorways, port and logistics areas, bus lanes, junctions, industrial platforms. Its hardness limits rutting in summer; in return, it is less suited to very cold climates, where a softer grade resists thermal cracking better.
35/50, 50/70 or 60/70: which one to ask for?
35/50 : heavy, slow or channelled traffic; temperate to hot climates; standard of the European markets.
50/70 : the European all-rounder (EN 12591), a hardness/flexibility balance. See our page 50/70 bitumen.
60/70 : the standard of markets operating under ASTM — Africa, the Middle East, Asia. See our page bitumen 60/70.
The choice is not made on price but on the service-temperature / traffic pairing. Detailed method in our grade-selection guide.
Packaging and logistics
The 35/50 is delivered mainly in bulk (insulated tanker truck or bitumen carrier) for asphalt plants fitted with heated tanks. For export without receiving facilities, 180 to 190 kg steel drums or big bags of around 1 tonne. The details of documents and Incoterms are covered in our logistics and Incoterms guide. logistics and Incoterms guide.
- ✓Heated bulk, in an insulated tanker truck or bitumen carrier vessel
- ✓180 to 190 kg steel drums
- ✓Big bags d’environ 1 tonne
E-Station supply
E-Station supplies 35/50 bitumen sourced from its refinery network in Iraqi Kurdistan, in bulk, drums or big bags. MOQ 500 MT, payment by letter of credit, inspection indépendante sur demande, livraison CIF vers l’Europe, le Maghreb et l’Afrique francophone. Un interlocuteur unique de la cotation à la livraison. Consultez aussi notre page buy bitumen in bulk and our bitumen supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 35/50 compliant with French public procurement?
It is a grade defined by the European standard EN 12591, the one cited by French road specifications. The conformity of the cargo is proven by the certificate of analysis, which can be checked by an independent inspection body.
Can a 35/50 be replaced by a 50/70?
Not without the agreement of the project owner. The 50/70 is softer: under heavy traffic and heat, it ruts faster. It is the project specification that sets the grade.
What is the difference between 35/50 and 40/50?
The penetration ranges overlap widely. The 35/50 is the European EN 12591 class; the 40/50 is the designation of ASTM markets. For comparable use, it is the contract’s reference standard that determines which designation to require.
What is the minimum volume?
500 metric tonnes. Below that, fixed costs (inspection, documents, banking fees) erode the delivered price.
Quote within 48 hours
Request your 35/50 bitumen quote
State your grade, your quantity, your port of destination and the desired Incoterm. Our trading teams reply with a firm offer within 48 hours.