The United States is one of the main suppliers of natural bitumen to the world. The first natural bitumen resource was also found in this vast country, in the state of Utah. Other Major natural bitumen resources in The USA are available in Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Mexico, California, Texas, Alaska, and Alabama. It’s estimated that these resources contain 54 billion barrels of natural bitumen. This incredibly useful substance is in fact a naturally occurring hydrocarbon which is one of the derivatives of petroleum, it’s the result of crude oil’s escape from the reservoir and when hardened enough, they form a kind of solid material similar to coal but with altered composition and molecule arrangement. Natural bitumen is found in mass and accumulations of dark shiny rocks and is also called asphaltite, Gilsonite powder, and natural asphalt. This substance is highly brittle and when shattered, turns into a dark brown powder. Natural bitumen has been extracted for many years in the USA and this country is one of the leading countries in natural bitumen export. According to the world trade map, in 2019, just before the pandemic, The United States had exported more than 300,000 metric tons of natural bitumen to the world. However, this amount has decreased due to the world trade cessation. Still, this country has managed to be the second exporting country in natural bitumen.
Canadian natural bitumen
According to The world trade map website, Canada already has 37 percent of the world’s natural bitumen export in 2021. This country has a huge amount of tar sand and asphalt natural bitumen reserves. Tar sands are one of the unconventional bitumen resources. 
Natural bitumen is found in the sand particles or in solid form as natural bitumen rocks. These huge reserves of tar sand are accumulated near the small town of Fort McMurray, Alberta. These reserves are also known as Athabasca tar sands. By using advanced technologies and equipment, and extracting this precious and practical material, Canada is soon becoming one of the biggest natural bitumen USA suppliers to not only supply the United States’ required petroleum, fuel, and bitumen but also export and supply the world. Canada’s export has already grown by 84 percent in a period of approximately 4 years, from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, the total natural bitumen exported by Canada was 446,075 tons which is as mentioned above, 37 percent of the world’s export. Consequently, it’s expected to count Canada as one of the leading countries along with the Middle Eastern countries that have always been pioneers in petroleum-based products exported to the world. By observing these data, it can be perceived that in the near future Canada can at least be able to fully supply the needed bitumen of The United States.
Natural bitumen Iraq
Unfortunately, Iraq is deprived of natural bitumen resources, therefore this country is one of the importers of this substance. Natural bitumen is in fact a kind of naturally occurring hydrocarbon that is the result of crude oil’s escape from the oil reservoir into the Earth’s surface. This natural substance is different from the gilsonite & bitumen which is the residue of the crude oil refining process. This kind of bitumen is the product of crude oil after the distillation. It has relatively lower quality compared to natural bitumen. On the other hand, Iraq is rich in petroleum resources. Thus, this country is able to produce petroleum-based bitumen. 90% of the bitumen produced and exported in Iraq gives a positive random test result, which shows the presence of contaminants. Based on this, this bitumen burns at high temperatures. Since 2019, the Iraqi bitumen market share has increased due to European investments in Iraq. As a result, European investment firms such as Porner in Austria or Phoenix Denmark are making significant investments in northern or southern Iraq, where there are oil wells and bitumen can be produced and extracted. Three main refineries in this country can produce standard grades of bitumen. These centers are located in Basra, Arbil, and Sulaymaniyah and have the capability to refine and produce bitumen in 60/70, 80/100, and VG 30 grades. Just in 2020, Iraq has exported over 180,000 tons of 60/70 bitumen and 20,000 tons of 80/100 and VG 30. 
Selenizza natural bitumen
Selenizza, a natural bitumen, is an additive that seriously affects the mechanical behavior of road bitumen. By adding this substance, modified bitumen enhances, improves performance, and reduces the chance of aging. Having combined Selenizza's natural bitumen and waste vegetable oil, a new type of binder has been developed. Combining the stiffness and anti-aging properties of Serenitza's natural bitumen with the regenerative properties of vegetable oils has resulted in a regenerator that enables the production of asphalt mixtures containing 100% RAP mixtures. Various recent studies have analyzed natural properties Bitumen has been shown to be fully compatible with refinery bitumen. And its effect can be compared to that of chemical additives; In particular, the use of Selenizza natural bitumen both increases the adhesive consistency, viscosity, and Stability. And also imparts modified bitumen, increases resistance to aging and leads to improved behavior at low temperatures. Compared to bitumen with an equivalent degree of penetration. A high-modulus asphalt concrete mix based on binders modified Natural bitumen makes it possible to successfully cope with the growing volume of traffic, while creating an effective pavement structure with thinner and stronger layers that have more durability and resistance. Recent research focuses on the use of vegetable oils (rapeseed and sunflower) to soften the natural bitumen of Selenizza and develop new varieties of binder for asphalt mixtures. And provides experimental research on new High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC), With 100% recycled asphalt pavement aggregate. Thanks to a regenerator consisting of vegetable oil waste and Selenizza natural asphalt that reflects the properties of aging rheological bonds and restores the properties of fresh asphalt. In order to find more information and answers to your questions, feel free to contact us or just simply leave us your information so that our professional team of sales executives contacts you at the first convenient time.
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