The role of sulfur in bitumen properties

In recent years, the Dutch market has experienced quality issues and inconsistencies in bitumen supply which have raised concerns in performance, workability, health and safety aspects in the asphalt sector. Uncertainties are broadly related to cost, availability and properties of bitumen. These are believed to be caused due to the closure of bitumen production in refineries around this area, and non-refiners entering in the supply chain. Moreover due to the change in fuel demand, refineries are going through transitions with major upgrading in their processing technologies which led to more variation in production properties and as a result: varying composition of bitumen products.