LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 22, 2005) — Shipments of tread rubber will grow in 2005 for the third consecutive year, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee.
Though overall economic growth is expected to moderate in 2005, strong demand for commercial tires will result in a 2.7-percent increase in tread rubber shipments for the year, the RMA said. This is nearly double the 1.5 percent growth seen in 2004. Continued expansion in the manufacturing sector and positive freight trends will sustain growth through 2007 at an annual rate of 1.5 percent.
Shipments in 2005 will represent approximately 17 million retreaded tires in the U.S.