Unique QD Materials Powering Huge Market Growth

September 07, 2016

Wellesley, Mass., Sep 7, 2016 – The unique properties exhibited by quantum dot (QD) materials has generated enormous interest in their commercial development and business potential. BCC Research reveals in its new report the recent commercial availability of colloidal quantum dots (CQD) synthesized by wet-chemical processes has galvanized market growth while providing access to a much broader industrial audience, which promises to further stimulate their exploitation.

Quantum dots are a unique subset of nanomaterials characterized by their extraordinary quantum confinement behavior. At dimensions typically below 10 nanometers, nanocrystalline semiconductors (SCs), metals and magnetic materials exhibit a remarkable transformation in their optical, electronic, magnetic, and chemical properties.

The global market for QDs is estimated to reach $610 million and $3.4 billion in 2016 and 2021, respectively, reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.3%. As a sector, optoelectronics should exhibit an astounding five-year CAGR of 164.3% to reach $1.8 billion by 2021. Electronics, the second-largest sector, should grow from $470 million in 2016 to $1.1 billion by 2021 on a five-year CAGR of 18.5%. 

As a harbinger for future business developments, CQD bioconjugates were among the first wave of commercial product applications stimulating market interest. Primarily, these have quickly established a niche market in the life sciences and biomedical communities, where they provide unrivalled cellular imaging and therapeutic detection capabilities. Other more recent commercial launchings of SC QDs include a new generation of flash-memory devices, nanomaterial enhancements for improving the performance of LCD TVs and monitor display backlights, flexible organic LEDs, as well as solid-state white-LED lighting, and rigid and flexible solar panel coatings.

The anticipated exponential growth in demand correlates with to the current production economics of several QD producers that have moved from batch to multi-kilogram/day continuous processes. The next five years should see CQDs initially priced at about $10,000 per kilogram, eventually falling to as low as $250 per kilogram. As demand and competition increase, prices may even drop below $100 per kilogram.

Currently, the QD industry is divided into two camps: wet-colloidand vapor-phase producers. The wet-colloidcamp is represented by several university spin-off companies that synthesize SC QDs. In contrast, vapor-phase producers represent much larger and more mature companies.

“Primarily because of their more versatile form factor and potentially lower cost, CQDs are adding new market impetus and opening up commercial opportunities to an even wider audience,” says BCC Research analyst John Oliver. “Bioconjugates have significantly impacted the life sciences and biomedical areas. In addition, the easy adaption of CQDs in inks and coating dispersions is leading to their initial entry into several other major market segments. During the next five years, applications of both wet-colloidal and vapor-phase QDs will become more pervasive by transcending electronics, optoelectronics, optics, energy and many other industrial sectors.”

Quantum Dots: Global Market Growth and Future Commercial Prospects (NAN027E) analyzes the QDs within the spectrum of nanomaterials, as well as to nanomaterials manufacturers, investors seeking near-term commercialization opportunities, and technologists confronted with nanomaterial device integration issue. Global market drivers and trends, with data from 2015, 2016, and projections of CAGRs through 2021 also are provided.

Editors and reporters who wish to speak with the analyst should contact Steven Cumming at steven.cumming@bccresearch.com.

Quantum Dots: Global Market Growth and Future Commercial Prospects( NAN027E )
Publish Date: Sep 2016    

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