WASHINGTON — Shipments of tread rubber in 2004 will grow 2.3 percent over 2003, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee. Shipments in 2004 will produce approximately 16.5 million retreaded tires in the U.S., the association reported.
Economic improvement and a strong construction industry will continue to drive demand for tread rubber, according to RMA. Fueled by positive freight trends, the association expects this growth to continue through 2006 at an annual rate of 2.5 percent.
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