Russia’s stake in the European bitumen market, which includes asphalt as a key type, has never been dominant, according to Ilya Ponomarev, an expert affiliated with the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction. He notes that while Russian asphalt is not essential, it previously failed to meet high quality expectations. As a result, the ban on purchasing Russian asphalt raises questions for observers of the trade.
Only Finland, Great Britain, and Norway have imported comparatively larger volumes, while other European buyers have shown less appetite.
In the past, the concern was not about necessity but about quality. Recent assessments indicate that polymer-bitumen binders produced in Russia have improved, and the overall asphalt quality has risen. This modernization aligns with a growing need for domestic construction materials, underscoring the strategic shift toward local supply.
For the Russian industry, the main focus remains the domestic market and the CIS region, and this scope of demand is unlikely to change quickly. Nevertheless, there are markets where exports could be redirected if opportunities arise, according to the expert.
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