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

  • Road sector drives Europe’s construction recovery
    September 13, 2017
    Despite political concerns and upheavals, Europe’s construction market is on the up, reports Graham Anderson Europe’s road building market is forecast to grow strongly in real terms up to 2019, as a strengthening economy boosts construction, creating investment and jobs. The market is predicted to grow by 16% between 2016 and 2019 and is being led by increases in the UK (39%), Norway (38%) and Poland (35%). In the UK, the market is buoyed by a number of major projects coming on stream, such as England’
  • US machine manufacturers hit hard by global downturn in construction
    November 30, 2015
    The latest report from the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers, AEM, makes for sobering reading. For the first six months of 2015, US exports of construction equipment dropped by 17% compared with the same period in 2014. The US manufacturers have been hit doubly, first by a tough international market and secondly by the high value of the US Dollar.
  • EU construction requires boost
    February 28, 2012
    At the recent annual congress of the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), the body released its latest annual statistical report.
  • Volvo CE Q1 2013 net sales down 33% - but firm maintains profitability
    April 25, 2013
    Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) said sharply lower global demand, especially in the mining sector, during the first three months of 2013 had caused its 33% net sales decline in the quarter to US$1.829 billion (SEK 12,136mn). The Swedish construction equipment manufacturing giant’s operating income was also down in Q1 2013 to $75.38 million (SEK 500mn), compared to $314.97 million (SEK 2,089mn) in the first quarter of 2012, while operating margin was 4.1%, down from 11.6% in Q1 2012. Volvo CE said it