China Bitumen Market Assessment, By Type [Paving Grade Bitumen, Oxidized Grade Bitumen, Polymer Modified Bitumen, Others], By Application Type [Road Construction, Waterproofing, Adhesives, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

China bitumen market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 19.84 billion in 2024 to USD 27.40 billion in 2032, driven by extensive government investments in infrastructure and real estate projects, such as use of bitumen in road construction, and the ongoing demand for high quality paving materials. The market for bitumen in China is anticipated to have a remarkable rise during the forecast period, which is mainly attributed to the nation's strategic initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the continuous expansion of its transportation networks

The increase in economic development and the large geographical area of China provide, a robust transportation infrastructure, leading to consistent and high demand for bitumen. The Chinese government focuses on developing connectivity, which includes national highways and rural roads. The focus on developing connectivity drives the investment plans in road construction and maintenance procedures in the country. Additionally, the growing construction sector, covering residential, commercial, and industrial projects, increases the demand for bitumen in waterproofing and adhesive applications. The domestic production capabilities of the major state-owned enterprises, combined with the import of specialized grades, ensure a steady supply as per market needs. These factors collectively underscore the dynamic growth trajectory of the China bitumen market.

For instance, in July 2025, China made considerable advancements in the national transportation network by accomplishing six out of seventeen key 14th Five-Year Plan objectives ahead of the October 2024 deadline. The country's expressway network has reached a length of 0.19 million kilometers, while the entire rural road system has risen to 4.64 million kilometers. The network of expressways has successfully linked more than 500,000 villages that have paved roads. This infrastructure initiative has received about USD 2.1 trillion in investments since 2021. It is modernizing services and improving the quality of life, especially in rural areas, by enhancing connectivity and logistics. The Ministry of Transport has said it will keep focusing on further integration and smart upgrades in the future.

Infrastructure Development Driving the China Bitumen Market

The nation's high-priority infrastructure development primarily drives the demand for bitumen in the Chinese market. This involves massive, government-funded road construction projects which aim at expanding and modernizing China's extensive highway and urban road systems. Bitumen, as a key component of asphalt, is indispensable for these projects. Beyond roads, demand is also driven by major construction projects in airports, bridges, and tunnels, where bitumen's ability to bind and waterproof is essential. Initiatives like the "Belt and Road Initiative" increase demand by involving large infrastructure projects both in China and other countries globally. The initiatives have been considered based on the initiative's routes, where Chinese companies often participate, sourcing materials from domestic suppliers. This ongoing investment in the infrastructure creates a steady and robust market for bitumen.

As of November 2024, China's rural roads have expanded significantly, reaching a total length of 4.6 million kilometres by the end of 2023, a 21.7% increase over the past decade. This network of county, township, and village roads supports rural renewal by improving access, connectivity, and livelihoods. In the last 10 years, China has spent about USD 598 billion on rural road infrastructure, mainly through public funding and combined financial methods. Looking ahead, upgrades will focus on integrating transportation with tourism, logistics, and postal services to further enhance rural modernization.

Growing Urbanization and Industrialization Driving the China Bitumen Market

China has become stronger and more serious in urbanization and rapid industrialization, which acts as a significant catalyst propelling the growth of its bitumen market. As many people move from rural areas to cities, the need for new homes, business spaces, and supporting infrastructure also grows. This includes building new roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. Accelerated urbanization and industrial expansion are directly contributing to heightened bitumen demand across China. This growth necessitates are extensive use of bitumen as a key product for different applications, including large-scale road paving to support urban sprawl, waterproofing for rapidly constructed buildings, and the establishment of robust road networks within new industrial parks and logistical hubs for efficient freight transport.

For instance, in December 2023, Guangdong Province outlined five new city clusters, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanchaojie, Zhanmao, and the west coast of the Pearl River Estuary, which are a few cities that drive high-quality development. These clusters of cities in China Guangdong province basically rely on significant infrastructure investments, which include roads, ports, and transport hubs, to enhance connectivity across the Pearl River Delta and beyond. Guangzhou is poised to become a global transportation hub, thanks to its well-developed airport and port facilities. At the same time, Shenzhen is estimated to evolve into one of the modern metropolises with advanced infrastructure. The plan emphasizes the expansion of roads and infrastructure as a cornerstone for regional integration, urbanization, and sustainable economic growth. The development will drive road and infrastructure development, which will, in turn, increase the demand for bitumen in the country.

Road Construction Segment is Anticipated to Propel the Growth of the Market

The Road Construction segment is poised to emerge as the key growth driver for the China bitumen market. Underpinning its trajectory with substantial and consistent demand. Bitumen is an important raw material used for building and maintaining roads, highways, and expressways. It acts as one of the binding agents in asphalt mixes. China's colossal and ever-expanding road network, coupled with ambitious government plans for further infrastructure development, ensures that this application area remains a dominant one. Factors such as the need for new roads to support urbanization, the upgrading of existing infrastructure, and routine maintenance of vast stretches of highways all contribute significantly to bitumen consumption in this segment. The durability and the cost effectiveness of bitumen materials to reinforce the roads, positioning its construction as the primary force shaping the future of China's bitumen market.

Future Market Scenario (2025 - 2032F)

The continuous drive for infrastructure modernization, particularly in road networks, is expected to sustain high demand for bitumen across China. Adoption of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) which enhances road durability and performance, will create new opportunities in the market. Stringent quality standards and environmental regulations will drive innovation towards more sustainable and efficient methods of bitumen production and application. The expansion of urbanization into lower-tier cities will fuel further demand for bitumen in new construction and infrastructure development.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

China bitumen market is characterized by the strong presence of state-owned enterprises and a growing focus on specialty bitumen products. Domestic key players of China play a dominant role in the China bitumen market. Factors such as supply for large landscapes, leveraging extensive refining process capabilities and mass distribution networks drive the market for key players of China. International players maintain a significant presence, particularly in the premium and modified bitumen segments, bringing advanced technologies and specialized formulations. Looking ahead, the bitumen market is likely to grow by the nation's ambitious infrastructure agenda and rising emphasis on higher-performance bitumen products that enhance durability and longevity of constructions. Technological advancements will focus on developing sustainable and eco-friendly bitumen solutions, as well as innovations in polymer modification. The use of asphalt in new applications and regional development initiatives will create further opportunities. The market will continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for quality and sustainability. Players who can offer innovative solutions and robust supply chains will gain a competitive edge.

For instance, in September 2025, Sinopec launched a significant upgrade of its integrated refining and petrochemical project in Xinjiang, which will raise crude oil refining capacity from 5 million to 8.5 million tons annually. This large-scale expansion includes multiple refining units designed to increase the production of refined fuels, which are key inputs for bitumen production used in road and infrastructure development. The project is expected to be completed by 2029. The bitumen plant is expected to boost production efficiency, improve resource use, and ensure long-term sustainability in producing petroleum products, including bitumen. This project will not only enhance Sinopec's refining capacity but also help meet the increasing demand from China's infrastructure and construction