SPRI Reports Strong Recovery in 2021

After a decline in shipments in 2020, the single-ply roofing industry saw an increase in roof membrane shipments last year.

The Single-Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI), representing North American manufacturers in commercial roofing manufacturing, education, and innovation, today announced that the U.S. Single Ply roofing industry saw a 12.2% increase in 2021 roof membrane shipments as reported by SPRI Membership. Despite the many challenges faced in the supply chain, 2021 showed a strong increase from the 2020 reported 4.1% decline in shipments, according to statistics compiled by SPRI.

SPRI membership comprises 64 total companies in the commercial roofing industry, including 19 commercial membrane manufacturers that participate in volume reporting. SPRI member companies report shipments for several classifications of flexible roof membranes: thermoset, thermoplastic, APP modified bitumen and SBS modified bitumen. Regular & Associate SPRI members enjoy access to this invaluable, proprietary report tracking these key industry product shipments.

In 2021, the thermoset segment saw 7.5% growth over the prior year, thermoplastic saw 14% and modified bitumen 9.7% growth. Brad Van Dam, SPRI president, said:

“In spite of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, labor market and the unprecedented supply chain issues, 2021 showed some resilience in single ply membrane output. Manufacturers received increased demand at a rate not previously seen and were able to ship more membrane than any prior year. SPRI members and the entire roofing industry faced many obstacles to increased production including labor, transportation, raw materials, uneven demand and were not immune to these challenges. As we moved into 2022, members saw strong shipment performance in the first quarter showing a 16.8% increase in year-over-year shipments.”

Regionally, year-to-year shipments increased 20% in the North East US. The South saw 13.5 % growth, followed by the North Central at 10.7% and the West at 6%.

SPRI members report shipments at both the national and state level in the United States, and Canadian volume nationally.

Together, SPRI members develop industry standards, sponsor research, publish informative guidelines and publications for the commercial roofing industry, and continue to advance roofing technology. Technical and educational efforts have branded SPRI as a leading force in the roofing industry. For more information on SPRI, or to become a member, please visit our website at www.SPRI.org.

About SPRI

SPRI is a trade association comprised of commercial roofing industry experts dedicated to providing an open forum for discussion, education, and innovation. It is the leading authority in single-ply roofing and provides ongoing resources and expertise for contractors, architects, and building owners and code officials.