Tread Rubber Shipments to Grow 2.8% – RMA

(Akron/Tire Review) According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee, total tread rubber shipments will increase 2.8% in 2006, up from 1.9% growth in 2005. The increase will be fueled by economic growth, a strong demand for OTR tyres and heavy truck-traffic volumes, the RMA committee reported.

Furthermore, according to the report, continuing strength in construction, increases in the number of trucks, expansion in the manufacturing sector and positive freight trends are expected to sustain total growth of 1.7% through 2008. This year’s forecast marks the fourth consecutive year that shipments will increase, said the RMA, and represents a total of approximately 16.35 million retreaded tyres in the US.