Bitumen:
India is looking to start large-scale production of bio-bitumen from biomass or agricultural waste, a move that would help reduce imports of the material used for asphalting of roads.
- Bitumen is a dense, highly viscous, petroleum-based hydrocarbon.
- It is found in deposits such as oil sands and pitch lakes (natural bitumen) or is obtained as a residue of the distillation of crude oil.
- It owes its density and viscosity to its chemical composition—mainly large hydrocarbon molecules known as asphaltenes and resins, which are present in lighter oils but are highly concentrated in bitumen.
- In addition, bitumen frequently has a high content of metals, such as nickel and vanadium, and nonmetallic inorganic elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
- It is known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties and is commonly used in the construction industry, notably for roads and highways.
- It is commonly used to waterproof boats and other marine vessels.
- It is also used by companies that create and manufacture roofing products.
- It is used for sealing and insulating purposes in various building materials such as carpet tile backing and paint.
Bio-bitumen:
- It is a petroleum-free alternative to bitumen, or asphalt.
- It’s made using non-petroleum-based renewable resources and can be made from vegetable oils, synthetic polymers, or both, making it a more sustainable model long term.
