Those responding to the Rubber News survey offered further insight into the molded goods industry.
All reported using compression and transfer presses, with 76 percent having injection capability and about a third offering liquid injection molding.
IMG06
Nearly all said they serviced the industrial markets. That was followed by oil and gas, agriculture, construction and the government/military as the next most popular end markets where the respondents sold their molded goods.
Capacity utilization was across the board. Only 5 percent reported utilization rates above 80 percent, while 35 percent said their rates were from 60-69 percent and 20 percent from 70-79 percent.
About 10 percent of the companies have 100 or more presses; 24 percent have 61 to 100; another 24 percent said they have 31 to 60; and 43 percent have fewer than 30.
EPDM is the most common elastomer used by respondents at 96 percent. That was followed in popularity by silicone, NBR, natural rubber, FKMs, CR and SSBR, all of which are used by more than half of the firms participating in the survey.
Rubber News will continue to build on these rankings for next year. For questions or to be included in the next survey, please contact Editorial Researcher Robin Clark at [email protected].