Rubber Demand Is Expected To Grow after 1991

Abstract

Until the major industrial economies of the world emerge from the effects of the current recession, growth in use of natural and synthetic rubber will remain minuscule. After growing modestly in 1990, global rubber demand this year is forecast to be flat, at 15.7 million metric tons. After 1991, it is expected that consumption of rubber will resume a slow, steady growth. A slight decline in global consumption of synthetic rubber—10.4 million metric tons from 10.5 million metric tons used in 1990—is forecast for this year by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP), whose statistical committee compiles data annually to predict rubber supply and demand. Offsetting this decline, consumption of natural rubber will continue to grow globally but only 2%, to total less than 5.3 million metric tons. The net result is a small rise in total rubber consumption of 0.2%. Decreased use of both synthetic and natural rubbers will occur in Eastern ...