What is Bitumen?

Bitumen is a mixture of organic liquids that are highly viscous, black, sticky, entirely soluble in carbon disulfide and composed primarily of highly condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Bitumen is the residual fraction obtained by fractional distillation of crude oil.
It is the heaviest fraction and the one with the highest boiling point. Bitumen is primarily used for paving roads.
Its other uses are for general waterproofing products including the use of bitumen in the production of roofing felt and for sealing flat roofs.
It is also the prime feed stock for petroleum production from tar sands.