Skip to main content

World asphalt demand to grow 3.6% a year until 2017

World demand for asphalt will grow by 3.6% annually until 2017, according to Cleveland market research company The Freedonia Group. This follows a decline in demand between 2007 and 2012 in North America and Western Europe, during the global economic crisis. “Gains will be driven by especially strong growth in consumption in China and other developing countries as they work to improve their transportation infrastructures,” said Freedonia analyst Mariel Behnke.
March 4, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
World demand for asphalt will grow by 3.6% annually until 2017, according to Cleveland market research company The 2821 Freedonia Group. This follows a decline in demand between 2007 and 2012 in North America and Western Europe, during the global economic crisis.

“Gains will be driven by especially strong growth in consumption in China and other developing countries as they work to improve their transportation infrastructures,” said Freedonia analyst Mariel Behnke.

Asphalt demand in North America declined by 5.8% a year between 2007 and 2012. From 2012 to 2017, Freedonia forecasts annual growth of 3.6%. Asia-Pacific continued to grow between 2012 and 2017, with a 5.8% annual growth, a rate which is forecast to slow to 4.7% up to 2017.

Maintenance of North America’s massive regional network of roads and highways will drive demand in that region. And in many parts of Western Europe there is a huge backlog of maintenance work to tackle.

The Asia-Pacific region has overtaken North America as the world’s largest market for asphalt, driven mainly by China and India, according to Freedonia’s report ‘World Asphalt’ which was published as Conexpo got underway. China uses over 20% of the world’s asphalt, and is set to become the world’s biggest asphalt user by 17%, a position currently occupied by the US.

Though China is still building roads now, growth will slow as its national infrastructure programmes come to an end and the country moves to smaller road construction jobs and maintenance of its existing networks. Demand in India and other developing Asian countries will grow, predicted Freedonia, as they push on with large public works projects.
%$Linker: 2 Asset <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 2 43686 0 oLinkExternal www.freedoniagroup.com Visit Freedonia Group Website false /EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=43686 false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • China is crucial market for Caterpillar’s long term operations
    November 29, 2012
    China has long been an important market for Caterpillar, which first began operating in the country in the early 1970s following talks between China and the US. Its first equipment in China was for generators to power a communications system supplied to China by the US following the talks. The company also worked closely with LiuGong as part of a technology transfer agreement, which highlights Caterpillar’s focus on China. The global crisis has not been an easy time for any construction equipment manufactur
  • Italy at bauma 2013
    January 6, 2017
    Italian construction equipment manufacturers will be in abundance at bauma 2013, showcasing their impressive range of machines and technologies based on a rich and proud history of engineering excellence. The Munich-based show’s status as the largest construction equipment industry exhibition in the world represents the perfect platform for Italian firms to increase their customer base and enhance their global standing. The timing of bauma 2013, with all its associated trading and networking opportunities,
  • Italy at bauma 2013
    April 8, 2013
    Italian construction equipment manufacturers will be in abundance at bauma 2013, showcasing their impressive range of machines and technologies based on a rich and proud history of engineering excellence. The Munich-based show’s status as the largest construction equipment industry exhibition in the world represents the perfect platform for Italian firms to increase their customer base and enhance their global standing. The timing of bauma 2013, with all its associated trading and networking opportunities,
  • Ethiopia announces three road projects worth over $240 million
    April 17, 2015
    In Ethiopia, three road projects worth over US$240 million will be built as part of the country's fourth road sector development plan. The government will fund the projects using its own resources. The first project is the 83km Sodo-Tercha asphalt-concrete project, costing around $84 million and to be built by China Railway Seventh Group. Completion is scheduled for 19 months. The second project, worth $102 million is the 99km Bilbela-Sekota road project, scheduled to take 39 months and to be built