Freedonia Market Research Analyzes Rubber Products Industry

US demand for industrial rubber products is forecast to advance 2.8 percent per annum through 2012 to $18.6 billion.  Increases will be buoyed by an acceleration in motor vehicle production, as well as by strong growth in the aerospace industry.  On the other hand, product demand will be somewhat restrained by a slowdown in industrial machinery and off-road equipment production through 2012. These and other trends, including market share and company profiles, are presented in Industrial Rubber Products, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Mechanical rubber goods comprise the largest product segment in the US market, accounting for just under half of aggregate demand in 2007.  Suppliers of mechanical rubber products will benefit from an improved outlook for motor vehicles through 2012, as these products are highly represented in this market.  Rubber hose and belt demand will also be fueled by the turnaround in motor vehicle production, as well as from strong growth in the aerospace industry.  Demand for rubber roofing membranes will be supported by accelerating growth in residential building construction.  Demand for other miscellaneous industrial products will be aided by solid growth in building construction expenditures, which will spur demand for products such as geomembranes.

OEM demand is projected to advance at the fastest pace, benefiting from an improved outlook for motor vehicles, as well as from strong growth in the aerospace industry.  Advances in construction applications will be supported by strong growth in nonresidential construction expenditures through 2012.  Machinery and equipment MRO applications will register the strongest gains, as industrial rubber products are required to keep manufacturing and other businesses running.

 Markets for industrial rubber products include machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, construction, and aerospace and other transportation, as well as miscellaneous markets such as appliances, electrical and electronic equipment, and office equipment. The machinery and equipment market -- which includes industrial machinery and equipment as well as off-road vehicles -- will continue to comprise the largest share of aggregate demand in 2012.  Nevertheless, the aerospace and other transportation equipment market is forecast to expand most rapidly, albeit from a smaller base, supported by robust growth in aerospace equipment production. 

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.