New Steel Drums for Bitumen Packaging
Precision-Engineered for Safe, Efficient Transport
At Black Gold, we don’t just fill drums — we engineer solutions. As a trusted producer of high-quality bitumen, our packaging systems are designed with the same care and precision as the bitumen itself. Among various packaging formats, new steel drums remain a globally preferred choice for bulk bitumen due to their durability, chemical stability, and ease of handling in international logistics.

Why Steel Drums?
New steel drums offer a robust, safe, and standardized method for transporting hot or cold bitumen across vast distances. Their resistance to environmental degradation and compatibility with heated unloading systems make them ideal for infrastructure and road-building projects worldwide.
Advantages of Steel Drum Packaging
- Chemical & Physical Stability: Bitumen remains unaffected by drum material during transport or storage.
- UV Protection: Shields contents from sunlight degradation.
- International Compatibility: Universally accepted across customs and ports.
- Container Optimization: Stackable design ensures maximum payload per container.
- Flammable-Safe: Compliant with global safety standards for transporting petroleum derivatives.
Points of Consideration
- Residual Waste: Approximately 3–5% of bitumen may remain unextractable inside the drum.
- Drum Damage: Mishandling during transit can deform drums, complicating unloading.
Types of Steel Drums We Offer
At Black Gold, our drum portfolio includes multiple formats to serve diverse market needs. Each drum type is manufactured from new cold-rolled steel and complies with international safety and transport standards.
- Long New Steel Drum (180±3 kg Net Capacity)
This is the most widely used drum type in the global bitumen market, preferred for its maximum volume efficiency and optimal container utilization.
- Capacity: 180 kg (±3 kg) of bitumen
- Net per 20ft container: ~110 drums (approx. 20 metric tons Net)
- Empty drum weight: 9.5 kg
- Body Thickness: Standard 0.6 mm
- Usage: Ideal for high-volume shipments to Africa, South America, and the Middle East
- Short New Steel Drum (150±3 kg Net Capacity)
Popular across South and Southeast Asia, this compact option balances volume with container loading efficiency.
- Capacity: 150 kg (±3 kg)
- Net per 20ft container: ~110 drums (approx. 16.5 metric tons Net)
- Empty drum weight: 8.5 kg
- Market Fit: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal
- Short Drum with Wide Lid (156±3 kg Net Capacity)
Designed with an enlarged lid opening to facilitate easier filling and unloading, this version is widely used in India and Nepal.
- Capacity: 156 kg (±3 kg)
- Net per 20ft container: ~110 drums
- Empty drum weight: 8.5 kg
- Benefit: Easier decanting, preferred in manual unloading operations
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many drums are required per metric ton of bitumen?
- 180 kg drums: ~5.55 drums per ton
- 150 kg drums: ~6.66 drums per ton
Q: How many drums fit into a container?
- 20 ft container: 110 drums
- 40 ft container: 137–138 drums (any type)
Production Process
Our drums are manufactured from new cold-rolled steel coils, using advanced welding, sealing, and painting technologies to ensure airtightness and durability. Each drum undergoes quality control and pressure testing, guaranteeing its readiness for long-distance, high-heat transport.
Choose Black Gold — Because Packaging Matters as Much as Product
Your bitumen deserves the same level of care in packaging as in production. At Black Gold, we engineer our drums to protect, preserve, and perform — just like the bitumen they carry.