Skip to main content

US asphalt demand to reach 24.3 million tonnes in 2019

US demand for asphalt is forecast to increase 3.3% annually to 24.3 million tonness in 2019, the vast majority of which is refined petroleum asphalt, according to a new report. Demand will be spurred by a rebound in building construction, especially for asphalt shingles. But in the much larger market of asphalt paving, gains will be supported by the efforts of state and local governments to maintain the nation’s aging road and highway network. Paving accounted for three-quarters of asphalt use in 2014
August 6, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
US demand for asphalt is forecast to increase 3.3% annually to 24.3 million tonness in 2019, the vast majority of which is refined petroleum asphalt, according to a new report.

Demand will be spurred by a rebound in building construction, especially for asphalt shingles. But in the much larger market of asphalt paving, gains will be supported by the efforts of state and local governments to maintain the nation’s aging road and highway network.

Paving accounted for three-quarters of asphalt use in 2014. Legislative bodies are expected to allocate more funds for repair work, supporting the use of asphalt cements and asphalt emulsions.

These and other trends are presented in Asphalt, a new study from market research firm 2821 Freedonia Group, based in the US city of Cleveland, in the state of Ohio.

“Demand for asphalt in paving applications will advance 3.1% annually to nearly 17.8 million tonness,” said Freedonia analyst Matt Zielenski.

Among asphalt paving products, asphalt emulsions will see the fastest growth in demand through 2019, boosted by increasing interest in in-place recycling. Asphalt emulsions can be used to recycle older pavements while minimising asphalt consumption which in turn reduces the time and cost of paving jobs.

Asphalt cement will remain the leading paving material used in the United States due to the prevalence of hot-mix and warm-mix asphalts in paving jobs. These products are favoured because of their moderate cost and solid performance properties, such as durability and good drainage, the report noted.

The 396-page report, called Asphalt, is available for $5,500 from The Freedonia Group.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Healthy sales for Volvo CE
    October 18, 2023
    Volvo CE’s earnings are strong and stable for the third quarter
  • Chinese market continuing to grow - Freedonia reports
    February 24, 2012
    A new report by the US based Freedonia Group suggests that construction spending in China will grow 9.1%/year in real terms through 2014.
  • Innovative advances in warm Mix Asphalts
    February 1, 2013
    Rising energy costs and increased awareness of safety and environmental issues have encouraged the development of Warm Mix Asphalts (WMA), which are typically produced at temperatures of between 130°C and 145°C, compared with around 175°C for traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). WMAs are regularly used in many European countries, as well as both North and South America. The three most common ways to lower the working temperature of asphalt are: a) foaming technologies; b) wax additives; and c) chemical (surfa
  • Wacker Neuson remains on growth path in Q3
    November 14, 2014
    Wacker Neuson Group reported a significant rise in revenue and profit for the third quarter of 2014 with especially high performance in the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Sales of light and compact equipment were driven primarily by an upturn in business in North America where the Munich-based group is planning its first production line for compact equipment. All regions contributed to revenue growth in the third quarter of 2014. Europe reported a 14% increase while the Americas and Asia-Pacific both saw reve