Demand for Nonreactive Components for Fuel Cell Balance of Plant

Report Highlights

• The global market for nonreactive components for fuel cell balance of plant increased from roughly $117 million in 2006 to an estimated $138 million by the end of 2007. It should reach $326 million by 2012, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8%.
• The global fuel cell market will reach $13 billion in 2012, from $1.7 billion in 2007, a CAGR of 50%.
• Interest in the fuel cell market among non-reactive balance of plant component suppliers has intensified, as this industry promises to be the next dramatic growth platform for materials usage.

INTRODUCTION

BCC Research (BCC) completed a study on the market for nonreactive balance of plant (BOP) components for fuel cells as the key ingredient for fuel cell commercialization. The study gives a critical view of the markets for nonreactive balance of plant components, including demand scenarios. It assesses the role of BOP as the key to fuel cell commercialization.

Focus is placed on the major challenges to long-term development of key nonreactive components for fuel cell BOP and the various technologies, including the critical stages of integration and how they relate to the commercialization potential of fuel cells. The key objectives of this BCC report are, therefore:

• To provide a critical evaluation of the status of nonreactive BOP for fuel cell technology, and how recent environmental legislation and technological breakthroughs in materials processing technology will make fuel cells cost competitive with conventional power sources.
• To address the nonreactive components for fuel cell BOP component materials stability issues, which arise from fuel cell integration.
• To evaluate the key nonreactive components for fuel cell BOP component properties essential for successful commercialization of fuel cells.
• To discuss and analyze the status and future supply and demand issues for the major nonreactive BOP component products integrators; and thus provide fuel cell developers with an insight into the dynamics of the fuel cell business.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains:

• Descriptions of various non-reactive balance of plant (BOP) components for fuel cells including applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, direct alcohol fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and metal-air fuel cells
• The current market status of BOP components, trends and forecasts for growth over the next 5 years
• A detailed patent evaluation covering fuel cell type and geographic distribution
• Company profiles of major industry players
• A discussion of government environmental/energy regulation issues.

METHODOLOGY

In this report, both historic and current data have been used in the demand analysis. Some information has also been gathered through primary research with leading raw materials producers, convertors, component producers, equipment manufacturers, trade associations, and automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Therefore, the results of the calculations presented here are based on three components: historical analysis of global industrial gases demand in the 2004 to 2007 time frame, estimates for 2007, and forecasted demand for the 2007 to 2012 time frame.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Information sources include trade data (national and international), company publicity literature, conference reports, world trade technical journals, and interviews with company representatives.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Edward Gobina is a Full U.K. Professor of Chemical and Processing Engineering and has over 25 years research and teaching experience in catalysis, environmental engineering, petrochemical reaction engineering, and membrane reactor technology. He has been published extensively, with over 100 relevant publications in international scientific journals. In addition, he has been a project analyst for over 10 years and has authored over 20 BCC Research reports covering the entire energy infrastructure chain from LNG, gas sensors, hydrogen, and industrial gases to oil and natural gas exploitation and production. He is also the author of four major patents on membrane-related technologies relating to chemical energy, sensor/monitoring instruments and oil and gas industries. Professor Gobina is a member of the European Membrane Society (EMS), the North American Membrane Society (NAMS) and the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). He is the current director of the Centre for Process Integration and Membrane Technology (CPIMT) within the School of Engineering at the Robert Gordon University in the U.K.