The buying decision: an alternative offer is not an approval
If a project requests Bitumen 60/70 and a quotation offers 80/100, treat the offer as a proposed change requiring review. A lower price or earlier loading date does not demonstrate compliance with the original requirement. Keep the specified grade in the purchase brief until the person authorised under the project’s approval process accepts the change in writing. This guide provides a procurement checklist, not a pavement design recommendation.
What the grade numbers tell you
Penetration grading describes a range of needle-penetration results under specified test conditions. The usual test described in the Asphalt Institute / Eurobitume reference uses 25°C, a 100 g load and five seconds, with results in tenths of a millimetre. In these commercial designations, 60/70 refers to a 60–70 range and 80/100 to an 80–100 range. ASTM D5/D5M explains that higher penetration indicates softer consistency. Thus 80/100 is softer in this test; that observation is not a declaration that either grade is universally better. Confirm the actual test method and conditions in the purchase specification.
Compare requirements, not only two penetration results
Create a comparison sheet with five columns: required property; required limit; named test method and edition; offered result or limit; and reviewer’s decision. Populate it from the project specification rather than from a generic web table. Include each required property, such as softening point, viscosity or ageing-related results where the specification calls for them. Mark missing evidence as “not provided”; do not treat it as a pass. Keep a technical data sheet separate from a certificate of analysis linked to an identified batch. An acceptable penetration result alone does not close the other rows.
Three practical decisions before accepting a change
The specification names only 60/70: request an offer to that requirement or send the alternative through the project’s written deviation process. Do not silently change the purchase order.
The specification expressly permits both: compare both complete compliance packages and any conditions attached to their use before comparing cost and timing.
The enquiry names neither: ask the buyer’s technical team to identify the governing specification and approval route first. A destination country, an average air temperature or a seller’s general recommendation is not a complete project specification. The industry reference describes climatic factors as part of bitumen specification; it does not supply a universal country-to-grade buying rule.
Keep technical acceptance and commercial comparison connected
After the technical decision, compare the accepted options on the same net quantity, packing, destination and delivery basis. Record additional testing, review time or receiving changes separately instead of assuming an alternative is cheaper because its unit price is lower. Where approval remains outstanding, label the quotation comparison “subject to technical approval”. Keep the approved specification revision, reviewer, approval date and any conditions with the order record. Recheck those conditions if the proposed product or batch changes.
A brief you can send with your RFQ
Use this structure in your enquiry notes: “Required grade: [60/70 or 80/100]. Governing specification and revision: [reference]. Alternative grades: [not permitted / subject to written approval / permitted under stated conditions]. Net quantity: [MT]. Packing: [format]. Destination: [port and country]. Delivery window: [dates]. Required evidence and approval contact: [details].” If an alternative is proposed, request a separate, clearly labelled offer with its deviations disclosed. Review the Bitumen 60/70 reference page and Bitumen 80/100 reference page, then prepare a grade-specific enquiry. Catalogue entries are reference information; the actual supply arrangement and acceptance criteria require confirmation.
Sources and scope — reviewed 19 October 2026
ASTM D5/D5M-20: public scope and significance statement supports the interpretation of penetration. The Bitumen Industry — A Global Perspective, fourth edition, Asphalt Institute / Eurobitume, printed pages 8 and 54, provides specification context and test definitions. The comparison sheet and approval workflow above are VEYRA’s editorial recommendations, not quoted standard requirements. Obtain the applicable specification and its required edition for the order; this article does not reproduce the standards or certify a product.