The North American market for construction aggregates is expected to increase an average of 4.3 percent per year to 3.7 billion metric tons by 2015. This comes after an average annual decline of 1.7 percent from 2005 to 2010. These and other trends are presented in World Construction Aggregates, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., an industry market research firm.

The global market for construction aggregates is expected to rise 5.2 percent per year through 2015 to 48.3 billion metric tons. This represents a slower rate of growth than during the 2005-2010 period, reflecting a moderation in aggregates-intensive nonbuilding construction activity. Nevertheless, demand for construction aggregates will still post solid gains from 2010 to 2015.

The Asia/Pacific region will register the largest increases in product sales, as construction activity will rise rapidly, particularly in China and India. China alone will account for half of all new aggregates demand worldwide during the 2010-2015 period.

As in 2010, sand will continue to make up the largest portion of global sales, followed closely by crushed stone and then gravel. Owing to more restrictive land use and environmental regulations, as well as the depletion of natural aggregates reserves, sales of recycled, secondary and other aggregates will climb at an above-average pace during the 2010-2015 period.

However, despite projected growth of 7.1 percent per year over this span, these products will continue to play a small role in world markets due to quality concerns and limitations in the availability of feed material.