World Roofing

Global roofing demand to reach 10 billion square meters in 2012

Global roofing demand is forecast to expand 2.9 percent per annum through 2012 to 10 billion square meters, with a value of $65 billion. Demand will be driven by accelerating growth in the two largest markets: the US and China. The US market is expected to expand as housing construction recovers from its current slump. Chinese demand will benefit from advances in the residential market, which will be driven by rising per capita income levels.

Emerging Asian markets to record fastest gains

The emerging economies of Asia, including China, will record the fastest growth in demand for roofing materials through 2012. Rapid population growth in countries such as India, the Philippines and Malaysia will generate demand for housing, while strong economic expansion in China, India and Malaysia spurs demand in the nonresidential market.As measured by area, China is expected to become the largest single market for roofing by 2012, surpassing the US. The Chinese market is forecast to grow four percent per year over that period, reaching 2.7 billion square meters.Demand for low-slope roofing materials (e.g., modified bitumen, elastomeric and plastic membranes) will offer above average gains, benefiting from strong demand in the nonresidential market.

Nonresidential construction to pace bituminous segment

In 2007, bituminous roofing was the most widely used roofing material in the global market. This status stems from the popularity of bituminous shingles in the US and Canada, and the widespread use of low-slope bituminous roofing materials in China and Western Europe. Going forward, the fastest growing markets for bituminous roofing are expected to be the nonresidential construction markets of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Plastic, elastomeric roofing to be fastest growing overall

Plastic and elastomeric roofing materials are projected to post the fastest gains through 2012, each from a relatively small base. Plastic roofing (e.g., thermoplastic polyolefin, PVC, spray polyurethane foam) will see its greatest gains the US market, where it is expected to supplant built-up roofing. Demand for elastomeric roofing (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer and chlorosulfonated polyethylene) will be driven by gains in the Chinese and other Asian markets.

Study coverage

This new Freedonia industry study, World Roofing, is priced at $ 5800. It presents historical demand data (1997, 2002, 2007) and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by product, world region and for 30 countries. The study also considers market environment factors, evaluates market share and profiles industry competitors.