London – There has been a slight drop in business optimism among suppliers to the various markets for rubber and elastomer compounds since last year, the findings of the ERJ European Compounding Survey 2018 reveal.
The overall average ratings (explained below) across all main markets came in at 3.26 (out of 5.00), compared to 3.33 in our 2017 survey – published each year in the May/June edition of ERJ magazine.
The main signals from rubber compounders, though, were more about stability and consolidation of prior-year gains – with investments and expansions still the order-of-the-day for most players.
ERJ’s annual Compounding Survey is based on replies to a detailed questionnaire sent out during March and April to a wide range of players serving the European rubber compounds market.
Respondents were asked to rate the performance of the rubber compounds market in terms of material type, end-application and country/region. The ratings are: 5 = Very high growth; 4 = Good growth; 3 = Marginal growth; 2 = Stable; 1 = In decline.
In the survey report, the feedback is analysed in table form, showing the performance in each category relative to the average of all relevant ratings supplied by respondents.
Further analysis is given in the commentary both in terms of the data analysis and the feedback supplied by survey participants about their plans going forward.
The full report is published in the May/June issue of ERJ magazine
