Expect a surge in demand for industrial rubber prooducts in the US: a rise of 3.4 % per annum to $24.4 billion in 2019. Gains will be fueled by greater production of machinery and healthy growth in nonresidential construction spending. A modest bump in motor vehicle production through 2019 will also provide industrial rubber producers with new sales opportunities, though this market will slow considerably from the recovery-driven 2009-2014 period. However, competition from suppliers in low-cost countries will continue to restrict price increases for most industrial rubber products, limiting value gains to some degree. Furthermore, these goods will continue to face competition from less expensive plastic products in a number of applications.
Construction to be fastest growing market
The construction market for industrial rubber products is expected to post the strongest gains through 2019, bolstered by a robust recovery in nonresidential building activity and an acceleration in residential construction growth. Machinery will remain the largest market for industrial rubber products in 2019, recording the largest sales advances in dollar terms, supported by ongoing production increases for both industrial machinery and off-road equipment
Motor vehicle market to return to normal conditions
Gains in both the motor vehicle and the aerospace and other transportation equipment markets will be somewhat restrained, dampened by slowing real output growth. However, increases in the number of motor vehicles and other transportation equipment in use will bolster demand for replacement industrial rubber products in these markets. It is also important to note that the motor vehicle market for industrial rubber products posted robust advances during the 2009-2014 period. A deceleration in growth through 2019 represents a return to normal sales conditions, not necessarily a cause for concern among suppliers to this market.