For the third consecutive year, shipments of tread rubber will grow in 2005, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee.
Though overall economic growth is expected to moderate, strong demand for commercial tires will result in a 2.7% increase in tread rubber shipments for the year, the RMA says. This is nearly double the 1.5% growth seen in 2004 shipments.
Shipments in 2005 will represent approximately 17 million retreaded tires in the U.S.
Continued expansion in the manufacturing sector along with positive freight trends will sustain growth through 2007 at an annual rate of 1.5%, the RMA predicts.
