Penetration grade bitumen is considered to be standard bitumen. Used as paving grade bitumen, it is an essential material in road construction, production of asphalt pavements and hot mix asphalt.

Viscosity grade bitumen, (known as VG bitumen), is used in road construction for surface coating applications and the production of hot mix asphalt.

Performance grade bitumen, (designated by the letters PG), is the most recent standard of bitumen. It has been established to define the performance