A 42% increase in asphalt prices in Paraná is putting road construction and maintenance projects under pressure, with the industry warning that contracts may no longer cover the cost of completing scheduled work.¹

The Paraná road-infrastructure association, Infravia-PR, says the refinery-driven increases have added between 16% and 17% to overall project costs. The effect differs by project: asphalt accounts for roughly 10% of basic maintenance spending, but can represent 35% to 50% of costs in restoration, resurfacing and base-recycling work.¹

For contractors, the central issue is cash flow. Companies must buy materials before receiving government payments, and Infravia-PR secretary-general Rodrigo Gawlik said their financial cushion lasts only “two to three months.” He said the remaining options — costly credit, slower work or layoffs — are already reflected in reduced-capacity work crews, collective leave and job cuts.¹ The association argues that the legal framework allows contracts to be rebalanced after extraordinary cost shocks, but says action has been too slow.

The price increase is linked to refinery adjustments and international oil-price volatility, despite Paraná having domestic refining capacity. Industry representatives contend that the problem is not supply or transport distance, but refinery pricing tied to international oil parity.¹

Engineering specialists share the concern over higher costs but focus on a separate risk: attempts to economize by reducing the amount or quality of asphalt binder. Alessandro Salazar Guerra of UniCuritiba warned that this could leave surfaces weaker, less durable and more prone to early damage, making quantitative testing and inspection essential.¹

Concrete is not viewed as a quick substitute. Asphalted roads can reopen within hours after cooling, while concrete typically requires about 28 days to reach near-full strength.² That difference means delayed asphalt purchases can also damage exposed road bases and generate further rework costs.