Bitumen Emulsion

Bitumen Emulsion
Bitumen Emulsion is a versatile and eco-friendly form of bitumen widely used in road construction and maintenance. Unlike traditional bitumen, which requires high temperatures for application, Bitumen Emulsion is created by dispersing bitumen in water with the help of an emulsifying agent. This water-based solution allows bitumen to be applied at ambient temperatures, reducing energy consumption, emissions, and improving safety on construction sites.
Bitumen Emulsion is available in various grades to meet different construction needs. Its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits make it an ideal choice for projects ranging from surface dressing to tack coats and cold-mix applications.Grades of Bitumen Emulsion
Bitumen Emulsion is classified into different grades based on the charge of the emulsifier and the type of application. The two main categories of bitumen emulsion are cationic and anionic emulsions. Cationic emulsions are more commonly used because they bond effectively with most aggregates.
Here are some of the most widely used grades of Bitumen Emulsion: Rapid Setting (RS) Emulsion
Rapid Setting (RS) emulsions break down quickly when applied to aggregates or surfaces, allowing for faster curing times. This makes RS emulsions ideal for applications that require quick bonding and fast traffic flow.
- Applications: Surface dressing, tack coats, sealing cracks.
- Benefits: Fast curing, strong adhesion to aggregates, excellent for hot climates.
Medium Setting (MS) emulsions have a slower breaking time, which makes them suitable for mixing with coarse aggregates in cold-mix applications. MS emulsions provide strong cohesion and are often used for patching and repair works.
- Applications: Cold mix, patching, surface treatments.
- Benefits: Ideal for cold-mix applications, strong bond with aggregates, effective for repair work.
Slow Setting (SS) Emulsion
Slow Setting (SS) emulsions take the longest time to break and are primarily used in applications where mixing with finer aggregates is required. They are commonly used in slurry seals, soil stabilization, and dense-graded bituminous mixes.
- Applications: Slurry seals, soil stabilization, prime coats.
- Benefits: Strong binding, effective with finer aggregates, long working time.

Bitumen Emulsion is an innovative solution for road construction that offers significant benefits over traditional hot-mix bitumen. By using water as a carrier medium, Bitumen Emulsion can be applied at lower temperatures, reducing the energy required and making it safer for workers. It also promotes better workability and faster project execution, making it a popular choice for infrastructure development projects worldwide.
Bitumen Emulsion is available in several grades, each tailored to meet specific construction needs. These grades differ in their setting times, making them ideal for various applications such as surface dressing, tack coats, slurry seals, and cold mixes.
Applications of Bitumen Emulsion
Bitumen Emulsion has a wide range of applications, making it a key material in road construction and infrastructure projects. Here are the main applications of Bitumen Emulsion:
Surface dressing is one of the most common applications of Bitumen Emulsion. It involves applying a thin layer of emulsion over an existing road surface, followed by a layer of aggregate. This process provides a protective layer that prolongs the life of the road by sealing cracks and preventing water infiltration.
- Emulsion Type: Rapid Setting (RS) Emulsion
- Benefits: Quick application, cost-effective maintenance solution, improves road durability.
Tack coats are thin layers of Bitumen Emulsion applied between asphalt layers to promote bonding. This ensures that the different layers of pavement adhere properly, preventing delamination and extending the life of the road.
- Emulsion Type: Medium Setting (MS) Emulsion
- Benefits: Strong bonding between layers, prevents slippage, improves road stability.
Slurry seals are a mixture of Bitumen Emulsion, aggregate, and filler, applied to the surface of roads to seal minor cracks, restore surface texture, and provide a new wearing surface. This application is commonly used in urban roads and highways.
- Emulsion Type: Slow Setting (SS) Emulsion
- Benefits: Restores smoothness, enhances skid resistance, cost-effective resurfacing.
Bitumen Emulsion is widely used in cold-mix asphalt applications, where aggregates are mixed with emulsion at ambient temperatures. This method is ideal for road repairs, patching, and rural road construction.
- Emulsion Type: Medium Setting (MS) Emulsion
- Benefits: Easy to work with, ideal for remote locations, suitable for patching work.
Prime coats are used to seal and stabilize granular surfaces before applying asphalt layers. Bitumen Emulsion penetrates the base layer, ensuring better adhesion of subsequent layers and providing a durable foundation for road construction.
- Emulsion Type: Slow Setting (SS) Emulsion
- Benefits: Improves base stability, enhances bonding, extends road life.
Uses of Bitumen Emulsion
Eco-Friendly Road Construction
Cost-Effective Maintenance
Improved Workability
Versatile Applications
Safer Application
Bitumen Packing Methods


Drum Packaging
Drums are the most common packing method for Bitumen Emulsion. Each steel drum holds approximately 200 liters of product, providing a durable and safe solution for transportation.
- Capacity: 200 liters per drum
- Advantages: Suitable for long-term storage, easy to transport.

Bulk Tankers
For large-scale projects, we offer bulk tanker deliveries to supply Bitumen Emulsion directly to the construction site. This method is ideal for projects requiring high volumes of emulsion.
- Capacity: Custom bulk volumes
- Advantages: Cost-effective, high-volume supply, direct site delivery.

IBC Containers
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) provide a flexible option for medium-sized projects. These containers hold approximately 1000 liters and are ideal for contractors who need more than drum packaging but don’t require bulk deliveries.
- Capacity: 1000 liters per container
- Advantages: Reusable, portable, easy to handle.
Essential Details of Bitumen Emulsion Grades
Grade | Setting Time | Applications | Emulsion Type |
---|---|---|---|
RS Emulsion | Rapid | Surface dressing, tack coats | Cationic/Anionic |
MS Emulsion | Medium | Cold mix, patching | Cationic/Anionic |
SS Emulsion | Slow | Slurry seals, prime coats | Cationic/Anionic |

Essential Details of Bitumen Emulsion Grades
Grade | Setting Time | Applications | Emulsion Type |
---|---|---|---|
RS Emulsion | Rapid | Surface dressing, tack coats | Cationic/Anionic |
MS Emulsion | Medium | Cold mix, patching | Cationic/Anionic |
SS Emulsion | Slow | Slurry seals, prime coats | Cationic/Anionic |