Argus Bitumen & Roads Asia Conference

Welcome refreshments and registrations open

Closed doors discussion on the impact of the Middle East/West Asia conflict and wider geopolitical instability on Asia’s bitumen supply chain

Chairperson's opening remarks

Asia in focus: What changed in the last 6–12 months in Middle East and APAC and why it matters?

- How have shifts in regional supply and demand across key markets reshaped trade flows in the past year?
- Where are new pricing mechanisms and benchmarks emerging, and what do they mean for transparency, contract structures, and trading strategies?

India market: To what extent are domestic refiners able to meet demand, and how reliant is India on imports to bridge supply gaps?

- What are the drivers for bitumen growth in the Indian market?
- What is the outlook for road construction demand over the next 3–5 years, and how will project pipelines translate into bitumen consumption?
- How are pricing dynamics in India responding to global volatility, and what does this mean for contractors and procurement strategies?

Morning networking and refreshments break

Asia and Middle East role: How are geopolitics, arbitrage and trade flows reshaping Asia’s supply?

- Where are the key arbitrage opportunities emerging?
- How are sanctions, trade restrictions, and shifting alliances impacting supply reliability, payment structures, and trade routes?
- What role will Asia and the Middle East play in balancing Asia’s supply-demand gap as volatility persists, and how sustainable is this position long term?

China bitumen at a turning point - from capacity expansion to structural rebalancing

Networking lunch

Where is liquidity in SE Asia’s bitumen market today?

- Where is liquidity currently concentrated in Southeast Asia’s bitumen market?
- How are re-export flows shaping trading activity across Southeast Asia?
- How is infrastructure demand in Indonesia influencing imports and overall market dynamics?
- Balancing regional deficits: How traders are responding to Southeast Asia demand growth?

Global pricing and arbitrages and pricing developments

Evening networking and coffee break

Construction: What mix designs and grades will dominate in Asia?

- How are contractor priorities shifting under tighter budgets, and what trade-offs are being made between cost, durability, and performance?
- Will conventional bitumen regain preference over PMB under rising costs, or will performance requirements continue to drive premium adoption?
- How can the industry ensure quality, consistency, and reliable supply amid increasing demand and variable feedstock sources?
- What are road authorities across Asia prioritising in 2026, and how are procurement specifications evolving to reflect sustainability and performance targets?

Closing Reflections: Key Takeaways from Day One

Morning registration and networking breakfast

Setting the Stage: Day Two Kick-Off

Interactive Q&A and Audience Polling: Anonymous check on the trajectory for the next 6-12 months

Anonymous, live market polling that captures what participants really think about risk, strategy, and the outlook

Crude oil and feedstock focus: How upstream shifts are reshaping bitumen supply?

- Heavy crude availability and refinery optimisation
- New entrants: What traders from LPG and oil products must learn fast?
- What upstream disruption means for downstream bitumen output?

Argus Consulting overview:

- What are the key drivers of bitumen supply and demand over the next five years?
- What is the outlook for Asian bitumen markets and regional trade flows?
- What is the five-year forecast for global and Asian bitumen supply, demand, and market balance?

Morning networking and refreshments break

Shipping and freight market workshop session: How does freight costs affect commodities?

- How can buyers and traders optimise freight procurement strategies to manage rising tanker rates and reduce overall logistics costs?
- What are the key risks to Asian trade routes and how can companies build more resilient shipping strategies?
- How will shifting regional crude trade flows and vessel availability impact freight pricing?

Regional roulette networking:

Regions
Southeast Asia demand and China focus
Asia routes, Middle East supply reality and Africa as a demand outlet

Chairperson's closing remarks and day two concludes

Networking lunch