EU tire market grows, importers benefit - ETRMA

Brussels – European tire production increased in 2014 back to 2011 levels, the best post-crisis year to date, according to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association.

However, in all four segments, imported tires have had a larger share of the market compared to ETRMA member companies.

This, said ETRMA, is particularly evident for truck and bus tires, as the total EU market grew by 15 percent, whilst members' EU production sales dropped by 1 percent.

The retreaded tire market decreased for the fourth consecutive year, according to ETRMA. The market is estimated to plunge a further 10 percent to 4.2 million tires in 2015.

China remains the main tire importer in the EU and growing steadily, whilst the EU mainly exports to NAFTA and Eurasia.

For general rubber goods (GRG), Europe’s production trend improved from the lows of 2013 and was positive in 2014.

The ETRMA said that the top three producing countries of the world in 2014 were European, with their sales growing steadily.

The top three were Continental AG, Huchinson SA and Freudenberg AG, followed by Sumitomo Riko and Bridgestone Corp of Japan.

“The trade balance of GRG is increasingly positive. However, when comparing tonnes of goods imported and exported, the imports nearly double the exports,” ETRMA added.