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INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
BCC published its first report on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in February 2000. During the last 10 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 CMC technology, outlining technological trends, and supplying an updated market analysis for these materials.
Specifically, the major objectives of this study are:
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
Ceramic matrix composites are materials containing a secondary phase (organic or inorganic) dispersed within a ceramic matrix or primary phase. In most formulations, the function of the secondary phase is to confer increased strength to the matrix; hence, its alternative name, the reinforcing phase. In addition to mechanical functions, the secondary phase can be added to improve bioactivity in biocompatible materials or to confer electrical conductivity to an insulating matrix.
In 1999, the year prior to BCC’s first published report on CMCs, the market for CMCs was valued at only $212.6 million worldwide; however, the market has grown steadily since then.
CMC fabrication technologies have also continued to evolve. In addition, several new applications have exited the development stage and entered commercialization, while others are being developed.
The principal reason for doing this study is to present a current assessment of the CMC 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 CMC industry from a global standpoint. In recent years, several producers have changed identity and others have abandoned the market. New companies have started manufacturing in developing countries. Therefore, it is also necessary to provide an updated geographical mapping of points of production of ceramic matrix composites, relative to global sales and distribution. Such an evaluation will contribute to a broader understanding of growth opportunities for CMCs and their applications within the U.S. and abroad.
An equally important reason for undertaking this study is to provide technical insights into CMC manufacturing by:
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:
Overall, this study applies to industry sectors such as mechanical, chemical, energy, environmental, medical, dental, automotive, aerospace, defense, and electronics.
This study is mainly directed toward 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 CMC technology, materials, equipment, 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 CMC industry.
SCOPE OF REPORT
This study provides an updated review of CMC technology, including materials and production processes, and identifies current and emerging applications for this technology.
BCC Research determines the current market status of CMC-based products, defines trends, and presents growth forecasts for the next 5 years. Technological issues, including the latest process developments, are also discussed.
BCC Research analyzes the CMC 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 ceramic matrix composites are also outlined.
More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into six parts.
In the first part, a historical review of ceramic matrix composites is provided, including an outline of recent events. In this section, current and emerging applications of CMCs are also identified and divided by sector: mechanical/chemical, energy and environmental, aerospace and defense, transportation (private and commercial motor vehicles and rail transportation), medical and dental, and electronics.
The second part of the report offers a technological review of ceramic matrix composites. This section supplies a revised and detailed description of CMC materials, typical fabrication methods and recent process upgrades, and applications by CMC type. A review of recent technological developments and patent abstracts is also offered, related to materials, applications, and manufacturing processes.
The third part of the report entails a global market analysis of CMC products. Global CMC revenues (sales data in millions of dollars) are presented by matrix type, application, and region, with actual data referring to the years 2008, 2009, and estimated data for the year 2010.
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 2010 through 2015.
In the fourth part, covering global industry structure, the report provides a complete list of suppliers of ceramic matrix composites 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 company profiles of the top industry players 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 an extensive U.S. patent analysis, with a summary of patents related to CMC materials, fabrication methods, and applications, issued during the period 2007 through 2010. Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, patent category, application, and matrix 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, the author’s field experience, and online sources.
Global market analysis was performed by analyzing 93 manufacturers of CMC-based 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, Internet websites, 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 CMCs and related materials and process equipment; representatives of academia and trade associations; and industry market analysts.
Secondary sources of information include:
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 that produce 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 processes:
BCC ONLINE SERVICES
BCC offers an online information retrieval service. BCC’s home page, located at www.bccresearch.com, enables readers to:
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, because 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.
Since it was founded in 1971, BCC has been a leader in market research and consulting to the electronics and materials industries. In particular, over the years, BCC has published numerous market analyses covering advanced technologies, materials, and applications. The following is a comprehensive list of reports published during the past 3 years related to ceramic matrix composites:
