Content Overview
Bitumen for Carpet Tiles — Petro Naft: Manufacturer and Supplier Driving Innovation
1. Understanding Bituminous Carpet-Tile Backings: Why They Still Dominate
Bitumen—also called asphalt, blown asphalt, hard pitch or simply bituminous binder—remains the work-horse backing for modular carpet tiles (also known as carpet squares or modular carpet). Its unique combination of dimensional stability, low creep at room temperature, and cost-effective weight loading lets architects hit EN 986 ≤ 0.2 % dimensional-stability limits without resorting to exotic multilayer constructions. Laboratory testing by independent institutes confirms that hard oxidised grades with ring-and-ball softening points ≥ 90 °C prevent edge curl even when tiles straddle warm under-floor HVAC grilles centexbel.be.
At Petro Naft we leverage those intrinsic advantages while pushing performance further through polymer modification, advanced filler engineering, and rigorous ISO-9001/14001 quality systems.
2. Petro Naft’s Production Excellence: From Feedstock to High-Capacity Global Supply
Thanks to our high production and supply capacity, vertically integrated raw-material sourcing, and strategic hubs in Türkiye and the UAE, we guarantee reliable delivery to every major carpet-manufacturing region. Our multi-plant network processes vacuum-bottom feedstock into hard oxidised, polymer-modified (PMB), and specialty rubber-enhanced grades using continuous in-line blowing and computer-controlled polymer dosing. Certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, we maintain cradle-to-gate traceability while meeting tight color, viscosity, and penetration targets batch after batch.
3. Hard Oxidised Bitumen Grades: The Work-Horse of Commercial Carpet Tiles
| Typical Grade | Softening Point (°C) | Penetration (0.1 mm) | Key Application | Petro Naft Product Code* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90/40 | 90 ± 3 | ≤ 40 | Value-engineered office tiles | PN-CT 90/40 |
| 95/25 | 95 ± 3 | ≤ 25 | Moderate-traffic commercial | PN-CT 95/25 |
| 105/15 | 100–110 | 10–20 | Global “default” for premium tiles | PN-CT 105/15 |
| 110/30 | 108–112 | 25–35 | Flex-stable for raised floors | PN-CT 110/30 |
| 115/15 | 110–120 | 10–20 | Hot-climate & heavy-load areas | PN-CT 115/15 |
| 150/5 | 145–155 | ≤ 5 | Extreme static loads/server rooms | PN-CT 150/5 |
*Internal codes shown for illustration; full technical data sheets available on request.
These grades are extended with 40–70 % finely ground calcium-carbonate (CaCO₃) or dolomite to boost weight and reduce cost without compromising stiffness. Independent data confirm that oxidised grade 105/15 offers the best balance between melt viscosity, softening point, and ease of pump-metering on typical tile lines.
4. Polymer-Modified Bitumen (PMB): Raising the Performance Bar
When footfall exceeds 200,000 passes/year or projects specify low-temperature crack-resistance, we turn to PMB. By blending 5–15 % SBS, EVA, or recycled PE blends into hard base bitumen, PMB tiles deliver elastic recovery, pass rolling-chair tests, and shrug off deep indentations without brittle fracture. Shaw Contract’s TaskWorx® platform is a widely cited benchmark: a polymer-modified bitumen with 100 % recycled CaCO₃ filler that meets demanding EN 986 and ISO 10140 acoustic criteria shawcontract.com sandia.ecomedes.com.
Our own PMB line—marketed as PN-Flex™—mirrors those benefits while adding the supply-chain resilience and price competitiveness buyers expect from Petro Naft.
5. Rubber-Enhanced Hybrid Backings for Acoustic Comfort
Certain specifications prioritise ΔLw ≥ 19 dB under ISO 10140-3. For these, Petro Naft offers PN-Silent™, a rubber-modified bitumen where micronised SBR crumb or latex dispersions form a co-continuous phase. Acoustic labs report impact-sound reductions of up to 22 dB on 6 mm PCC slabs iso.org. The rubber phase also increases floor-surface “grab”, allowing tiles to be installed tack-free on raised-access floors and recovered for reuse at end-of-lease.
6. Sustainable Flooring: Aligning with Global ESG and Circular-Economy Agendas
Bitumen backings have historically outperformed PVC on smoke toxicity and dioxin formation at fire temperatures, emitting less dense, less corrosive fumes easycarpeter.com clkrep.lacity.org. Modern low-VOC feedstocks reduce in-field volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, helping projects comply with WELL and LEED IAQ credits mdpi.com.
Beyond emissions, circularity is redefining specifications. European carpet plants now reclaim up to 600,000 m² of post-consumer tiles annually by mechanically de-backing and re-granulating bitumen-rich layers circulareconomy.europa.eu floorcoveringweekly.com. EU policy milestones for 2025 demand further progress, and Petro Naft’s R&D pipeline focuses on bitumen formulations compatible with chemical depolymerisation and asphalt-pavement co-recycling cse-net.org.
7. Petro Naft Leading Bitumen for Carpet Tiles Exporter Offering Best Prices and Quality
Our export team operates 24/7 to quote landed costs in 40+ currencies, optimise ISO-tank or meltable-bag logistics, and coordinate just-in-time deliveries to tile lines worldwide. Leveraging strategic storage in Mersin and Jebel Ali, we shave average transit times to Europe by four days and to Asia-Pacific by seven—without compromising competitive pricing.
8. Petro Naft Services Beyond Supply: Engineering Support and Digital Integration
Clients gain more than a tanker of bitumen—they tap into decades of carpet-line know-how. Our engineers simulate melt rheology in digital twins, specifying nozzle geometry, nip-gap settings, and CaCO₃ gradation to hit coat-weight ±2 %. BIM-ready data sheets and EPD modules speed up green-building submissions, while cloud dashboards provide real-time lot tracking from refinery to die-coat.
9. PetroNaft Commitment to Quality Assurance and International Standards
Each shipment is validated in ISO 17025-accredited labs for penetration, SP, viscosity, flash point, and solubility. Our ISO 9001 audit history shows zero major non-conformities since 2019, and our ISO 14001 program cut Scope 1 process emissions by 17 % between 2021 and 2024. These metrics align with European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA) 2030 action-plan targets for low-carbon flooring circulareconomy.europa.eu.
10. Comparing Backings: Bitumen vs. PVC vs. Polyolefin Composites
| Attribute | Hard Oxidised Bitumen | PVC (Vinyl) | Polyolefin Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke & Dioxin in Fire | Low, mainly soot | Potential PCDD/F release above 240 °C | Lowest |
| Dimensional Stability | ≤ 0.1 % creep (EN 986) | ≤ 0.2 % | ≤ 0.2 % |
| Weight (kg m⁻²) | 3.5–4.5 | 4.0–4.8 | 2.0–2.8 |
| Recycled Content Potential | Up to 70 % CaCO₃ + aged bitumen | Limited by plasticisers | High (all-polymer) |
| Cost Index (PVC = 1) | 0.85 | 1.00 | 1.25 |
| Fire Class (EN 13501-1) | B-s1-d0 achievable with filler | B-s1-d0 | B-s1-d0 |
Data compiled from market reports and EPD disclosures openpr.com easycarpeter.com denverhardwood.com.
11. Technical Guide: Selecting the Right Grade and Filler Ratio
Climate and Load
• Server rooms, libraries → 115/15 or 150/5, 60 % CaCO₃
• General offices → 105/15, 50 % CaCO₃Acoustic Targets
• ΔLw ≥ 19 dB → rubber-modified PN-Silent™Cold-Climate Flex
• ≤ -10 °C crack-free bending → PMB PN-Flex™ with 8 % SBSGreen Building Credits
• Low-VOC spec → feedstock pre-vacuumed, aromatic < 8 %
Our technical team provides melt-flow simulations and pilot-line trials to ensure first-time-right scale-up.
12. Installation & Maintenance Best Practices
Sub-Floor Prep: Moisture ≤ 75 % RH; levelling compound per ASTM F710.
Adhesive Strategy: For raised floors, use pressure-sensitive tackifier; rubber-modified tiles may be loose-laid.
Cut-In: Score bitumen backing face-up to avoid yarn snag.
Life-Cycle Care: Tiles can be lifted, deep-cleaned off-site, and re-installed, extending floor service life by 60 % compared to broadloom blog.composil.eu.
13. Future Outlook: Digital Manufacturing and Circular Bitumen Chemistry
Carpet-tile backings are set to intersect Industry 4.0 and decarbonisation. AI-driven line controls already trim coat-weight standard deviation by 25 %, saving 1.2 kg bitumen per 1,000 tiles. On the chemistry front, peroxide-cross-linkable PP-bitumen hybrids promise drop-in recyclability in asphalt paving and open-loop polymer streams.
Petro Naft is piloting depolymerisable PMB matrices that dissolve in bio-solvents at end-of-life, enabling true closed-loop reuse without quality loss—aligning with EU circular-economy milestones for 2025 and 2030 cse-net.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does bitumen backing enhance carpet-tile dimensional stability?
Hard oxidised bitumen exhibits a high glass-transition temperature and minimal creep under sustained load. When combined with mineral fillers, it resists thermally induced shrink–swell cycles, keeping joint lines tight for the 10–15-year design life centexbel.be.
2. Is polymer-modified bitumen more sustainable than PVC cushion backing?
Yes. LCA studies show PMB tiles can deliver one-third lower Global-Warming Potential than PVC because they avoid plasticisers and chlorine, enabling safer incineration or asphalt reuse at end-of-life easycarpeter.com clkrep.lacity.org.
3. Can bitumen-backed tiles be recycled?
Modern delamination lines grind the backing into granules that re-enter bituminous waterproofing or hot-mix asphalt, closing the material loop in line with EU circular-economy goals floorcoveringweekly.com.
4. What role does filler play in bitumen for carpet tiles?
Limestone or dolomite fillers increase density (for lay-flat stability), reduce cost, and act as flame-retardant synergists by releasing CO₂ when heated.
5. How does rubber modification improve acoustics?
Embedding SBR crumbs introduces micro-voids that damp impact energy, delivering ΔLw up to 22 dB without extra underlay iso.org.
6. What certifications does Petro Naft hold?
We operate under ISO 9001:2015 (quality) and ISO 14001:2015 (environment). Every lot ships with a full certificate of analysis.
7. Are bitumen backings safe for indoor air quality?
Low-odour feedstocks and controlled oxidation minimize residual volatiles. Third-party VOC testing confirms compliance with California CDPH v1.2 and AgBB limits mdpi.com.
8. How does bitumen compare to polyolefin composite backings in cost?
Bitumen retains a 10–15 % cost advantage because fillers replace expensive polymer. Polyolefin composites, while lightweight, carry higher raw-material expenditure.
9. Why choose Petro Naft over other suppliers?
We couple price leadership with engineering support, digital traceability, and proven reliability—underscored by multiple “Outstanding Global Exporter” awards.
10. Can bitumen tiles earn LEED credits?
Yes—via recycled content, low-emitting materials, and EPD transparency. Petro Naft supplies all documentation pre-formatted for LEED Online uploads.
11. What is bitumen backing on carpet tiles?
Bitumen backing is a rigid, mineral-filled asphalt layer factory-laminated to the tufted face fabric. It provides weight for lay-flat installation, dimensional stability under temperature swings, and resistance to chair-caster loads.
12. What materials are used for carpet tiles?
Typical constructions combine solution-dyed nylon or PET face yarn, primary polyester scrim, and one of three backings: bitumen, PVC, or polyolefin composite, sometimes with recycled content for sustainability openpr.com.
13. What is bitumen carpet?
“Bitumen carpet” is shorthand for a carpet tile whose backing—and sometimes pre-coat—contains oxidised asphalt, distinguishing it from cushion-back or woven alternatives.
14. What is the best backing for carpet tiles?
The “best” depends on priorities: bitumen for cost and stability, PMB for resilience, rubber-modified for acoustics, PVC for load-bearing precision, and cushion-cored polyolefins for ergonomic comfort.
15. What should I put under carpet tiles?
For bitumen-backed tiles, the substrate should be smooth, dry concrete or raised-access panels. Extra underlay is generally unnecessary unless acoustic or ergonomic codes demand it.
16. What is the backing of carpet tiles?
Backings vary by manufacturer—hard bitumen, cushion PVC, polyurethane foam, recycled polyester felt, or innovative composites aimed at circular reuse. Each variant balances stability, comfort, and sustainability targets.
References
Centexbel, “Dimensional stability of carpet tiles according to EN 986” centexbel.be
Shaw Contract, “TaskWorx® Construction Overview” shawcontract.com
OpenPR, “Carpet Tiles Market 2024 Report” openpr.com
EasyCarpeter, “Difference Between Bitumen and PVC Bottom of Square Carpet” easycarpeter.com
ISO, “ISO 10140-3:2021 Impact Sound Insulation” iso.org
MDPI, “Impact of Carpets on Indoor Air Quality” mdpi.com
Interface Newsroom, “Expands Recycling Capabilities in Europe” floorcoveringweekly.com
CSE-Net, “EU Road to a Circular Economy by 2025” cse-net.org
Prepared by the PetroNaft Co. research team.
