Argus Bitumen & Roads Asia Conference

Morning networking and breakfast

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 and why it matters?

- Shifts in regional supply and demand
- Price formation and emerging benchmarks

Central Asia and Middle East role

Speakers:

Sathya Narayanan

Associate Reporter

Argus

India market boom:

- What are the drivers for bitumen growth in the Indian market?
- Market outlook for road construction demand
- How is the quality of bitumen and has it changed with the geopolitical volatilities?

Morning networking and refreshments break

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

- Southeast Asia and re‑export dynamics
- China’s role in absorbing sanctioned heavy crude
- Who is still trading and who is sitting out?
- Indonesia infrastructure demand and import dynamics

Crude oil and feedstock focus

- 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

Networking lunch

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

- Contractor priorities under tight budgets
- Conventional bitumen vs PMB under rising costs
- Quality, consistency and supply reliability
- What road authorities expect from suppliers in 2026

Traders into shipping: A new venture

- Does owning logistics change how traders approach arbitrage and risk?
- Case studies on controlling the costs

Evening networking and coffee break

Curate meetings and match making: Pre‑scheduled, short one‑to‑one meetings tailored to your trading, sourcing or partnership priorities — ensuring you meet the right people.

The bitumen pub quiz

A relaxed, team‑based quiz mixing market knowledge with fun — encouraging cross‑company networking while testing myths, flows, and industry assumptions.

Format:
Teams of 4–6, random group selections
Answer questions in teams
Win prizes or discounts to tickets for next year

Question themes
Market myths (“True or false: PMB margins always outperform”)
Geography & flows
Spec surprises
“Guess the headline” scenarios

Closing Reflections: Key Takeaways from Day One

Please join us for the evening drinks reception!🥂 ✨

Morning registration and networking breakfast

Setting the Stage: Day Two Kick-Off

Speaker:

Sathya Narayanan

Associate Reporter

Argus

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 — creating instant talking points and honest debate.

- “Do you feel more exposed to downside risk today than this time last year?”
- “If market conditions worsen, which would you cut first?”
- “Are you more cautious signing term deals for 2026 than you were for 2025?”
- "Is your Asia strategy too dependent on one country, would you prefer to expand?”
- “Is PMB being adopted because it’s technically superior, or because nothing else works at current prices?”
- “If margins remain thin, will you still be actively trading bitumen in 2027?”
- “What’s the one route you’re quietly avoiding?”

Argus Consulting overview:

Morning networking and refreshments break

Shipping and freight market workshop session:

Regional roulette networking:

Format
Structured networking rounds (10–12 minutes each)
Each round focuses on one region
Bell rings → rotate

Regions:
China & re‑exports, Southeast Asia demand, Malaysia, Central Asia routes, Middle East supply reality, Africa as a demand outlet, Australia and New Zealand

Rules
One question per table, e.g. “What’s the one thing people misunderstand about this region?”

Chairperson's closing remarks and day two concludes

Networking lunch