Shipments of tread rubber in 2004 are expected to grow 2.3% over 2003, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee.
These shipments will produce approximately 16.5 million retreaded tires in the United States in 2004.
Growth in the second half of 2003 continued in the first two months of this year, the RMA said. Improvement in the economy, along with a strong construction industry, will continue to drive demand for tread rubber, the RMA forecasts.
Fueled by positive freight trends, the growth is expected to contine through 2006 at an annual rate of 2.5%.
