German rubber sales up 3.5% despite lower tire volumes

Frankfurt, Germany –  Germany’s rubber manufacturing sector shrugged off some weakness in the tire market to post a 3.5% sales increase in the first six months  of this year, industry figures show.

A first-half revenue total of around €6 billion reflected “healthy foreign demand” and higher raw material prices, reported industry association the WDK.  Almost a third of sales, it noted, were generated abroad.

“Another stimulating factor was the domestic business in the highly competitive months of March and May,” according to a 17 Sept report from…