Global Bitumen Meets the Belt and Road at Qingdao Asphalt Matchmaking Event
This June, China’s bustling port city of Qingdao will once again take centre stage in the international construction materials arena.
On 4-5 June 2025, over 200 companies from across the globe will gather for the 2025 Overseas-China Asphalt Resources Matchmaking Conference, a flagship event hosted by Yimao Information Technology. With registration closing imminently, this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most significant asphalt networking events worldwide.
According to the organisers: “This is the only asphalt conference in China that connects both domestic and international resources, offering unprecedented access to high-quality asphalt sourcing and trade.” With Qingdao as the backdrop, delegates can expect a blend of coastal hospitality and industry-driven collaboration.
A Global Stage for Asphalt Networking
The conference will bring together more than 80 international participants including asphalt refineries, traders, transport providers, and buyers. Representing the domestic front will be over 120 companies, spanning refiners, emulsified asphalt specialists, waterproofing suppliers, traders, and logistics firms.
Big international names such as Black Gold, Espad Darya, Romen Oil, AZERA Oil, OXIN Trade, AIM Refinery, and Lotus Energy will be rubbing shoulders with China’s leading asphalt enterprises including Sinopec Xinyao, Qingdao Hengxin, and Beixin Waterproof. The cross-border matchmaking is designed to foster deals, explore innovations, and strengthen China’s asphalt import and export ecosystem.
Why Qingdao and Why Now?
Qingdao, a strategic port on China’s eastern seaboard, is a linchpin in the Belt and Road Initiative. Its connectivity makes it an ideal hub for facilitating global trade, particularly in bulk construction commodities like bitumen and asphalt.
Moreover, China’s appetite for road infrastructure has remained voracious. With the national push toward smart highways, resilient urban roads, and green infrastructure, demand for high-spec asphalt products is climbing rapidly.
Dr Lin Zhenyu, a transport economist with the China Academy of Transportation, explains: “As China upgrades its highway network to meet climate targets and urban resilience goals, sourcing the right asphalt blend becomes critical. Events like this accelerate access to international expertise and innovation.”
Highlights on the Agenda
While the full programme can be downloaded here, a few standout features include:
- Global Market Outlooks: Insights from leading refineries and analysts on pricing trends, demand dynamics, and geopolitical impacts.
- Technical Exchanges: Discussions on modified asphalt, waterproof blends, and next-gen emulsified formulations.
- Logistics and Trade Panels: Addressing shipping costs, supply chain disruptions, and warehousing strategies.
- Deal-Making Sessions: B2B matchmaking opportunities supported by interpreters and trade experts.
These sessions are structured to ensure attendees walk away with tangible leads, signed MOUs, and perhaps even contracts in hand.
Key Players and Exhibitors
The list of confirmed participants reads like a global who’s who of the asphalt industry. On the international side, expect representation from:
- PS BITUMEN
- Meta Nation
- Hormozgan Refinery
- BHP Bitumen
- Black Castle
- Unkasun Refnery
- ACE Group
And from China’s asphalt and construction materials sector:
- Shandong Baicheng
- Jinzhou Jiawanze
- Tianjin Aiji
- Jiangsu Karen
- Shanghai Quanluda
- Anhui Bowolet
With over 100 corporate representatives already confirmed, the networking buzz is palpable.
From Oil Price Volatility to Sustainable Asphalt
While much of the discussion will orbit around trade opportunities, a looming topic is sustainability. Global asphalt suppliers are under pressure to decarbonise their production processes and integrate recycled materials.
Experts anticipate deeper discussions around:
- Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) technologies
- Bio-based modifiers
- Emissions benchmarking during production
Li Min, CEO of a Beijing-based road engineering firm, noted: “We need both cost-effective and climate-aligned asphalt solutions. The Qingdao conference provides the perfect platform to see what the global market has to offer.”
The Business Case for Attending
Whether you’re an asphalt importer scouting for premium blends or a domestic supplier looking to build your international footprint, Qingdao is where the industry action is this June. With key transport corridors under rapid development and China investing heavily in smart road technology, securing reliable material partners is mission-critical.
Beyond the scheduled sessions, the real value lies in the informal networking, where business cards fly and introductions turn into joint ventures.
As one previous attendee put it: “The Qingdao conference is not just about bitumen. It’s where strategy meets supply, and where the next deals are born.”
Laying the Road Ahead
As nations rebuild and modernise infrastructure post-pandemic and in response to climate imperatives, the asphalt industry sits at a critical crossroads. The Qingdao conference isn’t just a trade show — it’s a summit of ideas, innovations, and intent.
From sustainable blends to global logistics, from East to West, the matchmaking in Qingdao promises to shape the very roads we’ll drive on in years to come.
