Webinar: The Rise of MWNTs

Posted on July 21, 2010 by John C. Monica, Jr.

On July 20, 2010, David Hwang of Lux Research gave a webinar entitled: "Lux Research Nanomaterials: The Rise of MWNTs: Oversupply Hides Real Opportunities."

Mr. Hwang’s presentation identified the top global producers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), explained why commercialization over the past 25 years has been relatively "anemic," and made some predictions for where the market is heading in the next decade. He explained that while total sales of MWCNTs were under $100 million for 2008, the market is predicted to grow to approximately 2389 tons by 2020.

Two major forces slowing past commercialization included (i) a "you first" mentality by which companies wanted to see others take the first successful steps towards commercialization before they joined the trend, and (ii) regulatory risks inherent in the development of any new technology -- a commercialization bottleneck related to the potential environmental, health, and safety (EHS) impacts of certain carbon nanotubes.  (Regular readers will note that this is a recurring theme in our articles).

Mr. Hwang further explained that he believes the market for MWCNTs is currently in a transition phase, and that an oversupply will exist until 2017.  He commented that total sales in 2009 equaled $75 million and would increase to $513 million by 2020.   Mr. Hwang then covered four specific markets that are leading the commercialization for MWCNTs and provided 2009 versus 2020 material usage estimates:

 

  • Sporting goods: 4 tons (2009) versus 270 tons (2020)
  • Aerospace/defense: less than 1 ton (2009) versus 67 tons (2020)
  • Wind turbines: 130 kg (2009) versus 253 tons (2020)
  • Automobile industry: 56 tons (2009) versus 2351 tons (20020)
  • Batteries: 67 tons (2009) versus 763 tons (2020)

 

Mr. Hwang closed with some further trends he saw forthcoming in the next decade which included market consolidation and a shakeout of smaller manufacturers, as well as a "crackdown" through EHS regulation of MWCNTs over the next two years.  Regarding the later point, he indicated that companies which proactively addressed EHS issues would have a competitive advantage over the long run.

You can find a link to the webinar here. 

http://bit.ly/dcrrHD.

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Private Spending on Nano Exceeds Government Spending for First Time

Posted on July 7, 2009 by John C. Monica, Jr.

Chemical Business NewsBase recently published an article comparing global private funding to government funding for nanotechnology research, development, and commercialization. The article cites Lux Research figures indicating that private funding for nanotechnology reached $9.6 billion in 2008, while government investment was $8.6 billion. According to the article, this was the first year that private spending exceeded public spending. Lux also estimates that nanotechnology-enabled products will constitute a $3.1 trillion market by 2015.


It is interesting to remember that a decade ago, advocates for dramatically increased federal funding of nanotechnology efforts argued that once nanotechnology is firmly established as a field of commerce, federal investment would be dwarfed by private research and development which was estimated would be 10% of ultimate sales revenues. Advocates of the National Nanotechnology Initiative took the position that the federal government should stimulate and support basic nanotechnology research until such time as private commercialization takes root at this level. Annual global government research, development, and commercialization was then estimated at a mere $432 million.

 

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New Lux Nano-EHS Summary

Posted on July 15, 2008 by John C. Monica, Jr.

A new Lux Research quarterly report -- "Nanomaterials State of the Market Q3 2008: Stealth Success, Broad Impact" -- contains a section summarizing the state of nano-related environmental, health, and safety issues in the United States. The report contains a very helpful time-line of key nano-related EHS events occurring between the fourth quarter of 2007 and the third quarter of 2008.

Other highlights are Lux's findings that the rate of nano-related publication has doubled in recent years; studies regarding the potential EHS concerns of nanoscale metals are approaching parity with publications concerning carbon and ceramic nanoscale materials; research papers on possible nano-related hazards far exceed those on possible nano-related exposures; there has been a demonstrable increase in research studies on possible nano-related ecological risks; public opinion regarding nanotechnology is mixed, but not negative; and NGO's are still pushing for more regulatory action.   Lux, of course, offers detailed analysis on all of these issues, and you can find out how to purchase a copy of Lux's highly regarded report at http://www.luxresearchinc.com/contact.php

Lux, however, reached one conclusion with which we respectfully disagree. Lux thought the media coverage of the recent Poland Nature Nanotechnology article was "reassuringly judicious." You can see our prior post here which reflects our view that the media coverage of the asbestos-carbon nanotube analogy posited in the Poland article was overblown in our opinion.

C. Poland, et al., "Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathology in a pilot study," Nature Nanotechnology, May 20, 2008.
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The Nanotech Report, 5th Edition

Posted on November 21, 2007 by Michael E. Heintz
If there was any left who actually wondered if this "nanotech" thing was just a passing fad, check out Lux Research's newest release: The Nanotech Report, 5th Edition.  In this report, comprising 500+ pages over two volumes, Lux provides an overview of the status of nanotechnology as an industry.

In addition to delving into financial impacts of nanotechnology ($11.8 billion in domestic funding, $50 billion in product sales, and $699 million in venture capitalist funding), the Report also profiles 121 nanotech based companies and outlines foreign investment and work in nanotech.  Other examinations include:

  • Government funding: Government nanotechnology funding worldwide spanning more than 40 countries
  • Corporate R&D spending: Nanotech corporate R&D spending by country and sector with key programs at Fortune 1,000 giants
  • Environment, health, and safety issues: Comprehensive data on nanotech EHS publications, analysis of worldwide nanotech EHS regulation and pending regulation, plus a framework for addressing nanotech EHS risks
  • Venture capital: Analysis of every VC deal ever closed by country, sector, year, and sponsoring VCs from 1989 through 2006
  • 20-year patent study: Analysis of more than 4,995 nanotech patents, more than 103,000 claims

If you are looking for a single source review of the nanotechnology industry, Lux seems to have created that product.  Additional information on the report, including how to obtain a copy, can be found here.
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