According to WPB, two of Kazakhstan's leading road-bitumen producers, CASPI BITUM in Aktau and Pavlodar Petrochemical Refinery, will discontinue production of BND 100/130 from November 1, 2026, as the country shifts toward bitumen grades selected for different regional climate conditions. The government-directed change will affect production at facilities with a combined annual capacity of approximately 1.25 million metric tons, marking a significant adjustment to Kazakhstan's domestic road-bitumen supply structure.
Under the revised production policy, BND 70/100 will be designated for northern and central Kazakhstan, while BND 50/70 will be supplied for southern regions. The decision follows government instructions aimed at improving road construction quality by aligning bitumen specifications more closely with regional climatic requirements.
The transition does not mean that both grades are entirely new to Kazakhstan's market. CASPI BITUM has confirmed that it will continue its existing BND 70/100 production while introducing BND 50/70 and discontinuing BND 100/130. Pavlodar Petrochemical Refinery has separately confirmed its transition to the two climate-specific grades from November 1.
The distinction between these grades is technically important. BND refers to road petroleum bitumen, while the numerical ranges indicate penetration characteristics measured at 25°C. Lower penetration values generally correspond to harder binders. Consequently, the move away from BND 100/130 toward BND 70/100 and BND 50/70 represents a change in binder consistency and product specifications rather than simply a change in product labeling.
For asphalt producers, contractors, and distributors, the transition could require adjustments to procurement specifications, existing supply agreements, and asphalt mixture formulations. Buyers previously relying on BND 100/130 may need to confirm whether the replacement grades meet their project requirements. However, the announcement does not establish that all existing contracts must be amended or that previously produced inventories of BND 100/130 will immediately disappear from the market.
The scale of the change is considerable. CASPI BITUM has an annual road-bitumen production capacity of approximately 750,000 metric tons, while Pavlodar contributes around 500,000 metric tons. Together, their combined capacity of 1.25 million tons is slightly above Kazakhstan's estimated annual road-bitumen requirement of 1.2 million tons.
These figures describe installed production capacity, not actual output or immediately available supply. They also do not include every bitumen producer operating in Kazakhstan. The November decision specifically concerns CASPI BITUM and Pavlodar, and should not be interpreted as a confirmed nationwide prohibition on BND 100/130 production by all manufacturers.
CASPI BITUM's recent operating performance provides additional context. The company produced 282,011 metric tons of bitumen during January–September 2026, compared with 192,907 tons in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 46% increase. Production reached 65,000 tons in August, its highest monthly level since the plant's modernization. These figures indicate that the upcoming grade transition is taking place amid increased output at CASPI BITUM rather than a reported reduction in its production capability.
The announcement also coincides with broader changes in Kazakhstan's bitumen market. Earlier in October, the country's three principal producers planned combined output of 135,000 metric tons, reflecting weaker seasonal road-construction demand. At the same time, substantial differences in producer quotations highlighted a market already undergoing adjustments in pricing and supply allocation.
Another potentially important development is Kazakhstan's proposal to ease restrictions on petroleum bitumen exports outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). A draft amendment published on October 19 would remove petroleum bitumen under customs code 2713 20 000 0 from the current export restriction. The proposal remains subject to public consultation through November 4 and has not yet established an effective reopening of the affected export market.
The combination of revised domestic bitumen grades and potential export liberalization could influence future trade opportunities. If the export amendment is approved, producers may be able to market surplus volumes outside the EAEU during periods of weaker domestic demand. However, actual exports would depend on regulatory approval, available production, product specifications, transportation costs, and demand in destination markets.
For regional buyers, the transition raises questions about the future availability of different penetration grades. A stronger focus on BND 70/100 and BND 50/70 could change the product mix offered by Kazakhstan's major suppliers, but the commercial impact cannot yet be quantified. No confirmed data establish how November production will be divided between the two grades, whether existing BND 100/130 inventories will remain available for sale, or how producer prices will respond.
The November transition therefore represents more than a technical adjustment. It links government-directed road construction specifications with refinery production planning at a time when Kazakhstan is also considering broader access to export markets. The next developments to watch will be actual production by grade, domestic purchasing requirements, producer quotations, and the outcome of the proposed export regulation.
For Kazakhstan's bitumen industry, the central issue will be whether the shift toward climate-specific grades can be implemented smoothly while maintaining reliable domestic supply and preserving the flexibility to serve potential overseas markets.
By WPB
Kazakhstan Bitumen, BND 100/130, BND 70/100, BND 50/70, CASPI BITUM, Pavlodar Petrochemical Refinery, KazMunayGas, Road Bitumen Production, Kazakhstan Bitumen Exports, Bitumen Grades, Central Asian Bitumen Market
