Demand for paving asphalt used in highways and streets is forecast to advance 3.3% per annum to 13.7 million tons in 2021, aided by increases in government funding and rising highway and street construction activity. Demand for paving asphalt products in these applications is primarily driven by government funding for highway and street construction, which accounts for 97% of nonbuilding paving asphalt demand.

Demand for HVAC equipment in commercial buildings is projected to advance 3.3% per year through 2021 to $12.3 billion with 58% of all HVAC equipment sales. Although larger than the residential market, commercial demand gains will increase at a slower rate due to an expected slowdown in commercial construction activity.

In 2016, global demand for water treatment chemicals totaled $25.4 billion which is forecast to rise 5.3% per year to $32.9 billion in 2021. The best opportunities for growth in this market are expected in developing regions of the world, particularly in large, rapidly industrializing countries such as India and China and in regions with significant infrastructural development such as Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Central and South America.

Demand for plastic windows is forecast to rise 5.5% per year to $6.5 billion in 2021, outpacing wood and metal windows and accounting for half of total sales. Home and business owners will continue to specify vinyl windows for their energy efficiency, low cost, and low maintenance.

Consumer wipes markets accounted for 56% of overall wipes sales in 2016. Demand for consumer wipes is expected to increase 2.5% per year to $1.9 billion in 2021.

Oil filters comprised the largest share of the North American automotive filter aftermarket in 2016, totaling US$1.6 billion in sales and representing 44% of the market. These products hold a leading share of the market due to the frequency with which oil changes are performed (and the associated filters replaced) as a part of routine maintenance.

The global market for silicones in construction applications is expected to climb 5.6% per year to $3.7 billion in 2021, when volume demand will reach 594,000 metric tons. Growth will be affected by rebounds in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America, and by continued strong increases in construction spending in the Asia/Pacific region and North America.

Global industrial fastener demand will grow 3% in 2017, according to Ken Long, manager of capital goods research at the Freedonia Group. Long spoke at the inaugural Fastener Industry Summit, held June 7th in Rosemont, Illinois.

Demand for drilling fluids is projected to rise 11% per year to 1.45 billion gallons in 2021. A recovery in drilling activity and the rising average fluid use per well will drive growth.

The number of oil and gas wells drilled in Oklahoma is forecast to rise 46% in 2017 to over 1,350 wells, up from 935 in 2016. The STACK, a relatively new play, was the most heavily drilled region in Oklahoma in 2016, and this trend will continue through 2018.