INTRODUCTION
MOTIVATION
Among the numerous categories in the evolving field of newly synthesized nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are perhaps among the most dynamic and undergoing the most rapid pace of development. The past 5 years have witnessed relentless growth in the research, development, and technological understanding of these remarkable materials. Universities, small businesses, and start-ups, as well as large corporations, have continued to probe and exploit numerous commercial possibilities for these fascinating materials. As a result, the list of product applications is expanding considerably and is projected to do so well into the future.
The most tangible evidence for growth and interest is reflected by the emergence of new CNT producers now capable of offering CNTs in commercial-scale quantities—in kilograms, tonnes, and even hundreds of tonnes, depending on the specific grade—at more affordable and increasingly competitive unit pricing. In addition, after several years of incubation, there is a new breed of more mature university spin-offs, or nanotechnology companies, targeting specific application sectors. Additional evidence of growth is the increasing presence of larger, more established corporations that recognize the future market opportunities offered by CNTs. Finally, over the past 5 years, there has been phenomenal growth in patent activity. For instance, in 2009 alone, the number of issued CNT-related U.S. patents is estimated to reach almost 1,000, a record. For patents pending, the situation is even more dramatic, approaching a cumulative backlog from 2001 to mid-2009 now totaling 10,830, more than doubling the output of 4,400 patents filed during 2001 to 2006, the period covered in the previous edition of this report.
In view of the technical momentum, representing a multibillion-dollar technology investment, and the enormous business potential, this report provides a timely update on CNTs—their level of technically maturity, where they are starting to penetrate the market place, and when and where the broadening CNT market will be in the immediate future.
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT
The primary objective of this report is threefold:
- Assess the current state-of-the-art in CNT production and technical applications understanding
- Identify the current players seeking to exploit their unique properties
- Evaluate actual or impending markets in terms of the technical readiness of CNTs and the projected market revenues.
SCOPE OF REPORT
The report is divided into the five major chapters:
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW defines, outlines the history, describes the production methodology, identifies the unique properties of various forms of CNTs, and emphasizes the major application challenges.
PATENT ANALYSIS provides an extensive search/analysis of U.S. issued and pending patents (along with Canadian, European and WPTO databases where there is no USPTO presence), a collation of the main technical/application sectors and identifies the most active organizations—U.S. and foreign—driving CNT technology.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS identifies current producers, progress in continuous production scale-up, market segmentation, and an industry profile covering the major players.
MARKETS BY APPLICATION represents the body of the report assessing the latest progress and technical readiness in the major application sectors of composites, electronics, energy storage, membranes, sensors, and other applications.
MARKET ANALYSIS identifies the most promising applications realizable within the next 5 years and estimates the potential revenues of producers based on their competitiveness, technical readiness, and the projected market size.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND TARGET AUDIENCE
This report represents a major update to BCC Research’s report, Carbon Nanotubes: Technologies and Commercial Prospects, NAN024C, published in March 2007. The most significant revisions in this new edition include the following:
- An extensive patent analysis of the U.S. patent database
- An in-depth assessment of the unfolding commercial markets
- Progress in the synthesis and commercial scale-up of CNTs
- Extensive compilation of the producers and end users dictating market development
- A 5-year projected market analysis of the emerging CNT industry
This comprehensive technical and business assessment on the current status of the CNT industry should prove informative to nanomaterials manufacturers, investors seeking near-term commercialization opportunities, technologists confronted with nanomaterial device integration issues, and companies interested in exploiting revolutionary nanomaterials for advanced composites, biomedical, electronic, energy storage, membrane separation, sensing, and security applications.
METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
This report is primarily derived from the enormous amount of patent and technical literature relating to CNTs disclosed in the public domain. In addition, complementary information has also been drawn from the business community, such as company investment news, company profiles, press releases, and personal telephone interviews with selected companies.
AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS
John Oliver, the author of this report, is the founder of Innov8 Solutions, which provides advanced materials consultation services to industrial clients. He has more than 30 years of industrial R&D experience in surface and colloid science spanning a wide range of materials technology. Primarily, working as a senior scientist at Xerox Research Centre of Canada, he developed an invaluable understanding in advanced materials used in digital printing technologies such as xerography and inkjet printing (IJP). More recently through his involvements with the Alberta Research Council and several local universities, his interests have evolved into the realm of nanomaterials and microsystems device integration. He has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from McGill University, a BSc degree in Chemistry from Surrey University, U.K. His publications include more than 40 technical articles and 20 patents.
Between 2005 and 2009, he was the editor of BCC’s monthly Nanoparticle News and has authored three previous BCC Research’s nanomaterial technical reports, Quantum Dots: Technical Status and Market Prospects (NAN027A/NAN027B) and Carbon Nanotubes: Technologies and Commercial Prospects (NAN024C).
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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.
Report Code: NAN024D, Published: January 2010, Analyst: John Oliver
