INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Although aerogels were first invented in the late 1920s, for many years they remained a very small, niche, industry segment. However, since the early 1990s, they have gained renewed interest both in the scientific community and commercially.
BCC published its first report on aerogels in June 2006. During the last 3 years, the market for these materials has been rapidly expanding, new technological developments have occurred in the field, and industry changes have taken place.
The main goal of this report is to provide new insights into current aerogel technology, outlining technological trends, and supplying an updated market analysis for these materials.
Specifically, the major objectives of this study are:
- Provide an updated review of aerogel technology, focusing on materials and fabrication technologies.
- Highlight new technological developments during the past 3 years, while outlining current technical issues.
- Review existing fields of application for aerogels and investigate emerging applications.
- Estimate current global markets for aerogels with growth forecasts through 2013 for each market segment.
- Identify important technology and market trends within each market segment.
- Supply an updated review of current producers of aerogels.
- Provide a description of current worldwide research activities and evaluate their impact on industry growth.
- Determine trends in global patents issued during the past 3 years.
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
Aerogels are the lightest man-made materials in the world due to their nanoporous structure. Their unique properties make them suitable in various commercial sectors, including but not limited to thermal and acoustic insulation, chemical/environmental, consumer, and energy.
In 2006, the market for aerogels was very small, valued at $48.3 million, but growing at a very healthy pace.
Since BCC’s last report, aerogel fabrication technologies have continued to evolve. In addition, several applications are emerging and represent fast growing markets for these materials.
The principal reason for doing this study is to present a current assessment of the aerogel industry from both a technological and market point of view and to outline future trends and key developments.
There is also a need to evaluate the current status and future trends of the aerogel industry from a global standpoint. The market for aerogels is still quite small, with a very limited number of players; consequently, any change in a firm’s activities and/or location has a major impact on both manufacturing and sales distribution. Therefore, it is also necessary to provide an updated geographical mapping of points of production of aerogels, relative to global sales and distribution. Such an evaluation will contribute to a broader understanding of growth opportunities for aerogels and their applications within the U.S. and abroad.
An equally important reason for performing this study is to provide an overview of global R&D activities related to the aerogel industry, both within public and private organizations, and to illustrate the latest technological developments that can assist companies in finding opportunities for process and productivity improvements and, consequently, positively impact their future market growth.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This study will be of primary interest to all companies that:
- Manufacture, sell, and distribute aerogels or aerogel-based products.
- Produce raw materials for aerogel fabrication.
- Manufacture process equipment utilized by aerogel producers.
- Fabricate and supply products for thermal insulation.
- Offer assembly services to the glass industry.
- Provide technical and/or marketing services for the thermal and acoustic insulation sector.
- Are planning to enter the aerogel industry as manufacturers of aerogels, chemicals, or fabrication equipment.
Overall, this study applies to industry segments such as electronics, mechanical, chemical, energy, sensors, instrumentation, biological, pharmaceutical, medical, thermal and acoustic insulation, and consumer.
The study is mainly directed towards executives, directors, operations managers, sales and marketing managers, and strategic planners working within the above industries. Universities and research facilities may find this study to be a good source of technical information regarding aerogel technology, materials, and equipment, which can be used as a baseline for new or expanded R&D activities. Librarians of information and research centers can also use this report to provide critical data to product managers, market analysts, researchers, and other professionals needing detailed and updated insights on the aerogel industry.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This study provides an updated review of various types of aerogels and their fabrication methods, and identifies current and emerging applications for each type of aerogel.
BCC Research determines the current market status of aerogels, defines trends, and presents forecasts of growth over the next 5 years. Technological issues, including the latest process developments, are also discussed.
BCC Research analyzes the aerogel industry on a worldwide basis from the standpoint of both manufacturing and consumption. In addition, the study examines commercial and public research activities in major regions of the world. Research objectives and areas of interest related to aerogel fabrication processes and applications are also outlined.
More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into six parts.
In the first part, a historical review of aerogels is provided, including an outline of recent events. In this section, current and emerging applications of aerogels are also identified and divided by sector (i.e., thermal and acoustic insulation, electronics, chemical and environmental, medical/ biological/pharmaceutical/ personal care, sensors and instrumentation, energy, aerospace and space exploration, consumer, defense, and others).
The second part of the report offers a technological review of aerogels. This section supplies a revised and detailed description of aerogel materials, properties, shapes and sizes; aerogel applications by material type; typical fabrication methods, and recent process upgrades. Current technical issues are also described, followed by a review of recent related technological developments and patent abstracts.
The third part of the report entails a global market analysis of aerogels. Global aerogel revenues (sales data in M$) are presented for each type of material, and by application and region, with actual data referring to the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. This section is completed by a presentation of market growth trends, based on industry growth, technological trends, unit price trends, and regional trends. Projected aerogel revenues are reported, with forecast compound annual growth rates (CAGR) for the period 2008 through 2013.
In the fourth part, covering global industry structure, the report provides a complete list of suppliers of aerogels with a description of their products. The analysis includes a description of the geographical distribution of these firms and an evaluation of aerogel production versus consumption, always from a geographical standpoint. Detailed company profiles of all industry players and relative market share for the five leading companies are also provided.
In the fifth part of this study, an analysis of industry competitiveness is performed. This analysis encompasses a review of global research and development activities, with profiles of the most important R&D players divided by region, and an outline of the most critical factors contributing to industry competitiveness.
The sixth and final section includes extensive global patent analysis, with a summary of patents related to aerogel materials, formulations, fabrication methods, and applications, issued during the period 2006 through 2008. Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, patent category, application, and material type.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The technology section of this report is based on information derived from technical literature, related BCC’s reports, professional journals, author’s field experience, and online sources.
Global market analysis was performed by analyzing 13 suppliers of aerogels, accounting for at least 95% of the global aerogel market. Data for each company were obtained by thoroughly analyzing SEC filings, internet web sites, annual reports, industry directories, industry magazines and catalogs, government sources, and other public sources.
Additional data were obtained from the direct contribution of primary sources, including: company executives, managers, engineers and other technical personnel representing manufacturers, developers, and users of aerogels; representatives of academia and trade associations; and industry market analysts.
Secondary sources of information include:
- EDGAR – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Filings
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- European Patent Office
- Company Web Sites
- Company Annual Reports
- Thomas Registers
- Moody’s Directory
- S & P Industry Survey
- Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
- Foreign Chamber of Commerce Directories
- Foreign Stock Exchange Listings
In addition to utilizing the above primary and secondary sources, market growth trends and forecasts were compiled by gaining additional insights from relevant financial and market information, relevant BCC reports, and the author’s own in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the collected information.
ANALYSTS CREDENTIALS
Margareth Gagliardi has 25 years of experience in the field of advanced materials, specializing in ceramic formulations, materials processing, and new product development. She has held management positions in both manufacturing and R&D within U.S. and European firms producing electronic, mechanical, chemical, and structural components. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Ceramic Engineering.
She has authored numerous BCC Research studies, including the following which are related to advanced materials and nanotechnology:
- AVM065A Smart Glass: Technologies and Global Markets, 2009
- PLS046A Polymer Absorbents & Adsorbents, Including SAPs and Polymer Gels, 2008
- NAN043A Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets, 2007
- AVM054A Bioactive Glasses, Ceramics, Composites, Other Advanced Materials, 2006
- AVM052A Aerogels, 2006
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DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.
Report Code: AVM052B, Published: March 2009, Analyst: Margareth Gagliardi
