Skip to main content

Study predicts world asphalt demand to approach 120million tonnes by 2015

Global consumption of asphalt is forecast to rise 4.1% annually from a 2010 base to 119.5million tonnes in 2015, according to a new leading market research firm study. The volume predicted in World Asphalt, a new study from The Freedonia Group based in Cleveland, the United States, is equivalent to 725million barrels of primary asphalt. High petroleum prices combined with economic weakness and declining construction activity is said by Freedonia to have resulted in a significant drop in consumption in
April 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Global consumption of asphalt is forecast to rise 4.1% annually from a 2010 base to 119.5million tonnes in 2015, according to a new leading market research firm study.

The volume predicted in World Asphalt, a new study from The 2821 Freedonia Group based in Cleveland, the United States, is equivalent to 725million barrels of primary asphalt.

High petroleum prices combined with economic weakness and declining construction activity is said by Freedonia to have resulted in a significant drop in consumption in many of the world’s most developed asphalt markets over the 2005 to 2010 period. The new study says demand in these markets, including North America, Western Europe and Japan, is expected to improve until 2015.

World Asphalt forecasts sales gains will be most rapid in North America, where the market for asphalt is expected to expand 6.5% per annum to 36.6million tonnes in 2015. The study says demand for asphalt in both paving and roofing applications will be driven by the recovering US economy and increasing construction activity in the country.

The massive infrastructure development programmes in China and India, two of the world’s fastest growing economies, is seen by the Freedonia study to be the key to forecasted strong growth in the Asia/Pacific region. Since 2005, the region has become the largest market for asphalt.  China alone will account for nearly one-fifth of global asphalt demand in 2015. Strong growth in asphalt markets in India and a moderate recovery in demand for asphalt in Japan will also contribute to gains, according to the study.

Meanwhile, consumption of asphalt in Western Europe is forecast to increase 1.8% annually until 2015 to over 22million tonnes. The region is tipped by the study to construct new roads at “one of the slowest paces in the world”.  Paving asphalt consumed in road repair and maintenance applications is forecast to account for the majority of gains. Western Europe is also predicted to post the slowest growth in the world for asphalt consumed in roofing markets, reflecting the slowest regional growth in building construction spending.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • CECE equipment manufacturer’s conference in Berlin looks ahead for construction market growth
    October 29, 2012
    The construction equipment market has been hit hard in Europe and further afield, with economic uncertainty slowing orders. But there is light on the horizon. A range of key industry speakers made presentations at the recent Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) congress in Berlin, outlining prospects for the next few years in Europe as well as around the world.
  • Engine maker Deutz dumps full-year 2015 forecast amid poor trading
    September 16, 2015
    German engine maker Deutz Group said it will not meet its forecast for the current financial year. A sluggish second quarter with “very low” new orders means revenue is expected to fall by around 20% compared with the forecasted 10% drop, according to a corporate statement. “Consequently, the second half of 2015 will be significantly worse than the first half of the year,” the statement said. “Given the low level of business, Deutz will only be just about break even in terms of EBIT this year. Unt
  • Growth coming for Asian construction market
    September 4, 2018
    A new report produced by research specialist GlobalData predicts continued growth for Asia’s construction market. According to the report, construction in the ASEAN region will grow by over 6% annually over next five years. The report has been published to coincide with the INTERMAT ASEAN 2018 and Concrete Asia 2018 trade shows for construction, infrastructure and concrete sectors. The data suggests that construction output in the member states of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) would ex
  • Road sector drives European construction’s recovery
    June 27, 2017
    The European road building market is forecast to grow strongly in real terms from now to the end of 2019, as a strengthening economy boosts construction, creating investment and jobs.