United States Bitumen Market Assessment, By Type, By Application Type, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

United States bitumen market is projected to witness a CAGR of 2.70% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 21.08 billion in 2024 to USD 26.09 billion in 2032, due to substantial government investments in infrastructure, increasing demand for road construction and maintenance, and the rising adoption of high-performance modified bitumen products.

The demand for bitumen in the United States is primarily driven by the nation's vast and aging infrastructure, particularly its extensive road network. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has allocated substantial funding for repairing and rebuilding roads, bridges, and other critical assets, significantly boosting bitumen consumption. Moreover, ongoing urban development and the need for new buildings to support population growth and economic expansion continue to drive market growth. The rising use of superior, advanced bitumen products, including polymer-modified variants, enhances durability and performance in various weather conditions, contributing to overall market expansion. In addition, the growing focus on sustainable construction practices and the use of recycled materials in asphalt mixes are shaping market trends. Collectively, these factors are driving the expansion of the bitumen industry in the United States.

For instance, in June 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced USD 1.8 billion in new funding for state-level road improvement projects through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, which will support 148 projects nationwide. This funding encompasses all 50 states and a diverse array of projects, with specific individual grants designated for road construction, resurfacing, and the addition of new lanes in Western states, thereby increasing the demand for bitumen within the country.

Infrastructure Investments Drive the United States Bitumen Market Forward

Robust infrastructure investments are significantly driving the United States bitumen market. Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the federal government has committed unprecedented resources, including nearly USD 350 billion for highway programs and USD 110 billion for roads, bridges, and other major surface transportation projects. In mid-2025, the United States has already committed about USD 215 billion in federal highway and bridge formula funds to more than 100,000 projects nationwide, directly fueling bitumen demand as a core component of asphalt. The rising allocations for highways, bridges, and other transportation projects directly increase the demand for bitumen, a key element in asphalt used for road construction and maintenance.

The state and local governments are also contributing to this trend with their own infrastructure programs. The focus is not only on new construction but also on the extensive repair and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term resilience. These sustained investments create a consistent and high demand for various types of bitumen, especially paving-grade and polymer-modified bitumen, thereby underpinning the strong growth of the U.S. bitumen market.

Increasing Road Construction and Maintenance Driving the United States Bitumen Market

The United States bitumen market is growing significantly due to increased road construction and maintenance activities across the country. The large and aging network of highways, interstates, and local roads needs ongoing repair, resurfacing, and expansion. Continuous maintenance is necessary owing to wear and tear caused by heavy traffic and various weather conditions. This creates a steady demand for paving-grade bitumen. At the same time, new road construction projects are starting to support urban growth, connect developing industrial areas, and improve transportation efficiency. These new projects often require high-performance bitumen products, like polymer-modified bitumen, to ensure they are durable and long-lasting. The combined pressure to maintain current infrastructure and develop new road systems leads to consistent and high usage of bitumen, which drives market growth in the United States.

For instance, in September 2024, the TRIP report, "Rural Connections," highlighted the critical condition and safety issues on America's rural roads and bridges, which are crucial for the supply chain. About 12% of rural roads are rated poor, 19% fall into the mediocre category, and 8% of rural bridges are identified as structurally deficient. The report emphasizes the significant safety hazard, noting that traffic fatalities on non-Interstate rural roads are nearly double the rate on all other roads. Addressing these deficiencies requires a substantial investment, with the U.S. facing a USD 198 billion backlog for rural road and bridge repairs and improvements. This reflects that in the coming years the demand for bitumen is expected to grow due to rural road reworks.

Road Construction Segment to Propel the Market Growth

The Road Construction segment is poised to emerge as the key growth driver for the United States bitumen market, fundamentally shaping bitumen demand and utilization. The national highway system needs constant maintenance, rehabilitation, and new road construction. This includes everything from major interstate expansions and bridge decks to resurfacing local roads. Each of these projects requires large amounts of paving-grade bitumen. Additionally, constructing resilient infrastructure, particularly in regions prone to severe weather, drives demand for high-performance bitumen products such as Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB). PMB provides better crack resistance, durability, and load-bearing strength. Federal and state governments allocate significant funding to transportation infrastructure, particularly for road modernization initiatives. This ongoing focus on the U.S. road network establishes the Road Construction segment as the key driver of the future bitumen market.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the 2024 Transportation Construction Market Outlook by ARTBA projects a 14% increase in overall transportation construction spending, reaching USD 214 billion in 2024, up from USD 187 billion in 2023. Public highway, pavement, and street construction, the largest sector, is expected to grow by 16%, totalling USD 126 billion. The expansion is supported by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and strengthened further by state initiatives, including bond funding and higher user fees. Federal investment has supported over 60,000 new transportation projects across all 50 states since 2022, contributing to double-digit growth in highway and bridge construction activity.

Future Market Scenario (2025 - 2032F)

Government policies and sustained funding through acts like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will continue to fuel demand for bitumen in road construction and repair.

Technological advancements in bitumen modification, leading to more durable, flexible, and sustainable asphalt mixes, will drive the adoption of higher-value bitumen products.

The increasing focus on sustainable and resilient infrastructure will encourage the use of environmentally friendly bitumen solutions and recycled materials in construction projects.

Growth in residential and commercial construction will also contribute to demand for bitumen in waterproofing and roofing applications, although road construction will continue to be the dominant driver.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The United States bitumen market is characterized by a mix of significant oil and gas companies, integrated construction material producers, and specialized bitumen suppliers. Leading players, such as ExxonMobil Corporation and Shell USA, Inc., benefit from integrated refining capabilities and extensive distribution networks, offering a wide range of bitumen products. Construction material giants such as CRH PLC and Vulcan Material Company are key consumers of bitumen for their asphalt production, often having their own bitumen supply chains or strong procurement partnerships. The market is competitive, with a growing emphasis on high-performance bitumen, particularly Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB), due to increasing demand for durable and long-lasting infrastructure. Consolidation activities and strategic partnerships are observed as companies seek to optimize supply chains and expand their regional presence. Looking ahead, innovation in sustainable bitumen solutions, including bio-bitumen and recycled content, is expected to gain traction, driven by environmental regulations and green building initiatives. The market will continue to be significantly influenced by government infrastructure spending and economic growth, particularly in the Road Construction segment.

CRH Americas Materials has been expanding its U.S. presence through targeted acquisitions. In November 2024, it acquired Dutra Materials in California and Ary Corporation in Colorado, adding key asphalt, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete facilities. Earlier acquisitions of BoDean Company and Northgate Ready Mix marked its first entry into the California market. These moves collectively strengthen CRH's position as a leading integrated supplier of construction materials in North America.