INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Photocatalysts are materials that utilize photons to activate chemical reactions. During the last 15 years, there has been a growing interest in photocatalysts for applications in various sectors, particularly in construction and consumer products.
The main goal of this report is to provide insights into photocatalytic technology, outlining technological trends, and supplying a market analysis of various photocatalyst-based products.
Specifically, the major objectives of this study are to:
- Provide a detailed review of photocatalysts, including a description of materials, types, and production technologies.
- Highlight new technological developments in photocatalyst manufacturing, while outlining technical issues.
- Review current fields of application for photocatalysts and investigate emerging applications.
- Estimate current global markets for photocatalyst-based products by material type, application, and region, with growth forecasts through 2014 for each market segment.
- Identify important technology and market trends within each market segment.
- Supply an updated review of current players in photocatalyst technology.
- Provide a description of current worldwide research activities and evaluate their impact on industry growth.
- Determine trends in recently issued U.S. patents.
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
Photocatalysts represent a special type of catalyst that utilizes photons as a source of energy to activate certain reactions.
The origins of photocatalysts can be traced back to 1791 with the discovery of the element titanium, even though the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide were discovered only in the late 1960s in Japan. Since then, several photocatalyst products have been gradually introduced and commercialized.
Beginning in 1995, the number of research activities resulting in patent applications and issued patents increased rapidly. This led to the development of new materials, improved production processes, advanced properties, and an increase in the number of applications spanning many industrial sectors.
Both the ability of these materials to decompose certain types of organic and inorganic molecules and their super-hydrophilic properties have been exploited in numerous applications. These include residential and commercial construction, deodorizing products, appliances, sterilization articles, and water treatment products, just to name a few.
The principal reason for doing this study is to establish a detailed market overview of the photocatalyst industry by quantifying sales of products containing photocatalysts, based on their types and fields of application.
There is also a need to evaluate the current status and future trends of the photocatalyst industry from a global standpoint. As use of this technology expands, information on regional production, sales, and type of suppliers of photocatalysts becomes more valuable.
An equally important reason for performing this study is to provide technical insights into photocatalyst manufacturing by:
- Supplying a review of materials, shapes, and production methods
- Identifying current technical issues
- Providing an overview of global R&D activities related to photocatalysts, both within public and private organizations, and
- Illustrating the latest technological developments.
This information can assist companies in finding opportunities for process and productivity improvements, resulting in a positive impact on future market growth.
INTENDED AUDIENCE
This study will be of primary interest to all companies that:
- Manufacture, sell, and distribute photocatalyst materials and photocatalyst-based products.
- Fabricate paints, coatings, glass, and other products for the construction industry.
- Offer technical and/or marketing services for architectural, residential, and commercial window installation.
- Offer design and architectural services for green building manufacturing.
- Manufacture sterilization and deodorizing articles.
- Provide exterior and interior design for light vehicles.
- Provide consulting services for the solar and renewable energy market.
- Are planning to enter the coating industry as a supplier, manufacturer, or end user.
- Overall, this study applies to industry sectors such as construction, consumer products, automotive, medical, environmental, and energy.
This 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 photocatalyst technology, materials, and applications, which can be used as a baseline for new or expanded R&D activities. Librarians of technical 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 into the photocatalyst industry.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This study provides a current review of photocatalyst technology, including materials and production processes, and identifies current and emerging applications for this technology.
BCC Research determines the current market status of photocatalyst products, defines trends, and presents forecasts of growth over the next five years. Technological issues, including the latest process developments, are also discussed.
BCC Research analyzes the photocatalyst 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 materials, production methods, and applications of photocatalysts are also outlined.
More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into five parts.
The first part of this study provides a historical review of photocatalysts including an outline of recent events. In addition, the report supplies a detailed description of photocatalytic materials, types, and their fabrication processes. In this section, current and emerging applications for these materials are also identified and divided by sector (i.e., construction, automotive, consumer products, medical, environmental, and energy).
The second part of the report entails a global market analysis of photocatalyst products. Current technical issues are described, followed by a review of recent technological developments and related patent abstracts. Global revenues (sales data in millions of dollars) for photocatalyst products are presented by material type, application, and region, with actual data referring to the years 2007, 2008, and estimated data for the year 2009.
This section concludes with a presentation of market growth trends based on industry growth, technological trends, and regional trends. Projected revenues are reported with forecast compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the period 2009 through 2014.
In the third part, covering global industry structure, the report provides a list of the leading manufacturers of photocatalysts and a description of their products. The analysis includes a description of the geographical distribution of these firms and an evaluation of production versus consumption, always from a geographical standpoint. Detailed profiles of the industry’s leading companies are also provided.
In the fourth 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 fifth and final section includes an extensive analysis of U.S. patents issued during the period of 2007 through 2009, with a summary of patents related to photocatalyst materials and their fabrication methods and applications. Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, patent category, application, and material type.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used to obtain market data and analyze the overall market and market segments.
The technology section of this report is based on information derived from technical literature, related BCC reports, professional journals, author’s field experience, and online sources.
Global market analysis was performed by analyzing 102 manufactures of photocatalyst materials and products, accounting for at least 95% of the global market. Data for each company were obtained by thoroughly analyzing Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, 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 photocatalysts; representatives of academia and trade associations; and industry market analysts.
Secondary sources of information include:
- EDGAR – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filings
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- European Patent Office
- Company Web sites
- Company annual reports
- Thomas Register
- Moody’s Directory
- S&P Industry Survey
- Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
- American Ceramic Society Publications
- 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.
ANALYST CREDENTIALS
Margareth Gagliardi, BCC’s chief research analyst in advanced materials, has more than 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 that are related to advanced materials and nanotechnology:
- AVM018F Rare Earths: Worldwide Markets, Applications,
Technologies, 2009
- AVM052B Aerogels, 2009
- AVM065A Smart Glass: Technologies and Global Markets, 2009
- PLS046A Polymer Absorbents and Adsorbents, Including
SAPs and Polymer Gels, 2008
- NAN043A Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets,
2007
- AVM054A Bioactive Glasses, Ceramics, Composites, Other
Advanced Materials, 2006
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DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be of a professional nature and is as reliable as possible at the time of publication. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice, nor should it be considered 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: AVM069A, Published: March 2010, Analyst: Margareth Gagliardi
