IRSG Predicts Growth In Rubber Consumption

Delegates at the 40th assembly of the International Rubber Study Group were told that rubber consumption in 2003 grew by 4.8 per cent to 19.01 million tonnes.

Natural rubber consumption was up 5.6 per cent and that of synthetic rubber rose 4.3 per cent.

This year, total consumption is expected to rise by 3.8 per cent and by 4.9 per cent in 2005.

The main driver of this rise will be the Asia-Pacific area, with predicted growth in consumption of 5.6 per cent this year and 6.7 per cent next year.