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

  • Haulotte sees growth return to global lifting
    March 10, 2017
    Haulotte, the global manufacturer of people and material lifting equipment, reported growth across its business in 2016 and expressed an optimistic view of the market for 2017 at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
  • US market continues to climb
    April 11, 2013
    A comment often heard at the recent World of Asphalt/World of Aggregates event in San Antonio, Texas was how the US construction market is recovering. The catchphrase for the global construction industry in 2013 seems to be ‘cautious optimism’. The growth rate may be modest and business activity is certainly a long way from the peaks of 2007 and 2008, but the improving conditions can only be good news for the construction sector. In Europe the situation is less clear. The Nordic nations are all in a fairly
  • Wacker Neuson bullish with strong results
    May 8, 2019
    The Wacker Neuson Group reports a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2019. The firm’s results reveal a double-digit rise in revenue to €434.6 million, a gain of 17%. The company saw even higher growth of profit before interest and tax (EBIT) growth to reach €30.2 million, a jump of 31%. Meanwhile the firm’s EBIT margin improved to 6.9%, a gain of 0.7%. “This strong start to the year sees us continue the dynamic pace of growth from the fourth quarter of 2018. Demand for our products and
  • Wacker Neuson Group sees revenue rise 12% for 2014
    March 16, 2015
    International light and compact equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson Group achieved record results for 2014 across most key performance indicators, the company reports. The group met its increased profit and the revenue forecast, despite challenging market conditions. Group revenue increased 11% to a record €1.28 billion, up from €1.16 billion in 2013 and in line with the company’s forecast. “Adjusted by currency effects, this corresponds to a growth of 12%,” a company statement said. Business in Central Eu