Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets

Report Highlights

• The global market for microspheres in 2010 is estimated to be $2 billion and growing at a 5–year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%, reaching global sales of $3.5 billion by 2015.
• The use of microspheres in medical technology is a relatively new and evolving industry that will see an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.5% over the next 5 years. This sector is valued at $481 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2015.
• BCC’s analysis suggests that microspheres will see significantly increased demand in the life–sciences markets, which include medicine and biotechnology. The life sciences sector is worth an estimated $203 million in 2010 and is expected to increase at a 9.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach $317 million in 2015.

INTRODUCTION 

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This report, Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets, examines the spherical microparticles used as components in many advanced materials and composites, in the healthcare and personal care industries, and in many specialty research and development applications.   Our key objectives are to present a comprehensive analysis of the global market for microspheres, including a wide variety of types of microspheres available on the market, as well as relevant industries, technologies and applications.   To this end, this BCC report:

• Describes demand for microspheres in six major industries: composites; paints and coatings; oil and gas; cosmetics and personal care; biotechnology and life sciences; and medicine and medical devices.
• Analyses the demand for 2009 and 2010 and forecasts sales over the next 5 years by industry, type of microspheres, and geographic location.
• Describes different types of microspheres with respect to their chemical composition, including glass, ceramic, and polymer microspheres, and unique material properties that make them suitable for specific industries and applications.
• Provides detailed descriptions of major players in the market and their product portfolios. 
• Identifies areas of the market that are expected to experience the highest growth in demand.
• Discusses the history and structure of the industry, technologies, and factors influencing pricing, supply and demand.
• Reviews price trends and the relationship between price, quality, end–use application and functionality in the microsphere industry. 
• Examines recent advances in technology, newly evolving markets and companies, as well other factors influencing supply.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY 

With new advances in technology, microspheres are taking on a new role as a functional additive and enabling technology that offers a winning combination of benefits, such as reduced cost and improved product quality. Microspheres are currently used in a wide variety of industries ranging from medical devices to syntactic foams.    The swift pace of development creates a need for in–depth analysis that incorporates all the industries and global markets for microspheres and forecasts its direction through 2015.

SCOPE OF REPORT   BCC analyzes the global market for microspheres from both the manufacturing and demand points of view. Since there are several types of microspheres that vary drastically in quality, chemical properties, functionality and price, each type of microsphere is discussed in detail, including materials, manufacturing processes, advantages, prices, and primary applications. Similarly, due to these variations, microsphere use in six major industries are discussed and analyzed in detail.    Detailed analysis and market forecasts are provided per industry, type of microsphere and geographic region through 2015. The report describes major players in the industry and examines recent advances in technology, newly evolving markets and companies as well other factors influencing supply and demand.   This report analyses microspheres – homogeneous microparticles of 1 micron to 1,000 microns in diameter. Microspheres can be solid or hollow and made from a variety of raw materials.    This report does notinclude:

• Particles less than 1 micron in diameter; often referred to as nanospheres. 
• Particles of more than 1,000 microns in diameter; often referred to as balls or beads.
• Microcapsules, in which one material is used to encapsulate or form a shell around the other. 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This study will be of interest to manufacturers of microspheres in helping them analyze their company’s position in the current market and possibly develop a new competitive strategy. It will provide them with valuable insight on areas of future product development and industry growth.   The study will also be valuable to consumers of microspheres, including the composites; paints and coatings; oil and gas; cosmetics and personal care; life sciences and biotechnology; medicine and medical devices; adhesives; and automotive among many other industries.

The report will also be valuable to marketing executives, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists and other readers with a need to know how large the global market for microspheres is and how fast it is growing. The report should also be of interest to scientists and engineers, and others seeking to understand the potential market for the products they are currently developing.

This report offers detailed information on use of microspheres in many industries and many types of microspheres available on the market. It will be of interest to any company involved in manufacturing or consumption of this material.  

INFORMATION SOURCES

BCC studied more than 100 companies to obtain data for this study. Included were microsphere manufacturers, distributors and consumers. We analyze individual company revenues, product portfolios and growth through 2015. Interview data were combined with information gathered through an extensive review of secondary sources such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature, and online databases to produce the baseline market estimates contained in this report.

The base year for analysis and projection is 2009. Market projections were developed for 2010 through 2015. The projections are based on a combination of a consensus among the primary contacts combined with BCC’s understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

The analyst for this report, Yelena Lipovetskaya, has more than 10 years of experience taking new technologies from concept to production in a variety of industries, including digital displays, optical fiber, and medical devices. Yelena is the author of numerous articles on microsphere technology and its applications and has held technical and managerial positions at Xerox Corp, Corning Inc., Cardinal Health, Gyricon and Cbrite Inc. Yelena has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Polytechnic University and a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, both in New York.

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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 its use.