Nanomaterials

Currently, there are hundreds of kinds of nanomaterials in use or under development, both in their pure form and as composites. Examples include carbon, tungsten, titanium and cobalt, as well as many technical ceramics, such as aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and their composites.

The range of applications for nanomaterials also is large and growing. These currently include tires and other rubber products, pigments, synthetic bone and automotive components. Tomorrow's applications include automotive coatings, medical devices and filtration media, to name just a few.

This BCC report provides information on the commercial potential of various nano-materials, to complement the growing body of technical information. Specific objectives include identifying segments of the nanomaterials market with the greatest commercial potential in the near to mid-term (2005-2010), projecting future demand in these segments, and evaluating the challenges that must be overcome for each segment to realize its potential to better estimate the probability of successful commercialization.

Scope Of Study

The report contains:

• Definitions covering the field of nanomaterials
• Milestones in the development of nanomaterials
• Overview of nanomaterials that are in commercial use or under development, associated technologies and applications
• Nanomaterials with the greatest commercial potential through 2010
• Global analysis of the nanomaterials market with forecasts through 2010
• Analysis of the actors that will influence the long-term development of nanomaterials
• Nanomaterials industry structure and market shares.

Report Highlights

• Total global consumption of all types of nanomaterials in 2005 is expected to surpass 9 million metric tons and $13.1 billion, reaching 10.3 million tons or $20.5 billion by 2010, at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 9.3% in value terms.
• Nonpolymer organic materials account for the largest share of total nanomaterials consumption, the bulk of which are carbon black fillers.
• The share of simple oxide nanomaterials is expected to rise from 8.5% to 15.7% in 2010. Metal nanomaterials are the second-largest segment with more than 21% of the market.
• In product morphology, by 2010, nanoparticulates' share of the market is projected to shrink somewhat to 54.6%, while thin films, monolithics and composites are expected to grow to 25.0%, 17.4% and 3.0%, respectively.