The Global Market for Carbon Nanotubes

The Global Market for Carbon Nanotubes

Nanotechnology can be described as manipulating the attributes of matter at the nanoscale to
create products with new functionalities at the macroscale. Through the exploitation of these new
functionalities, nanoscale technologies can help to solve some of the key challenges facing
society today. Nanotechnology is not a market per se. Rather; it is an enabling technology for the
development of both:
• New opportunities within existing markets;
• Entirely new markets.
At present, nanotechnology is a niche area but few industries are currently not be affected by its
influence. Nanotechnology promises more for less: smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster devices
with greater functionality, using fewer raw materials and consuming less energy. Nanotechnology
offers immense promise; promise which extends from specific business opportunities for
individual firms to societal benefits for the world at large. Yet for these benefits to be realised, the
products and processes that are renewed or made possible by nanotechnology will need to reach
the supermarket shelf or the factory floor.
Nanoscale technology is not new; the word “nanotechnology” has been used by scientists and
engineers over many years to mean different things. Polymer scientists, for example, would
consider colloid science as a nanoscale technology. Material scientists would expect that much of
the future development of structural, functional, multifunctional and bio based materials would
almost certainly be at the nanoscale.
What is new is our understanding of the novel properties that can occur at the nanoscale, which
is improving significantly through developments in measurement and characterisation. This has
led to a drive to exploit the observed novel properties such as an increased surface activity,
quantum effects beginning to dominate the behaviour of a material exhibiting changes of
magnetic, optical, and electronic properties, and the ability to self assemble. Nanoscale materials
have one or more dimensions between ~1nm and 100nm, with one or more specific properties of:
• High surface area and hence high surface activity
• Quantum effects becoming dominant (such as a change in optical, magnetic, or electrical
properties)
Materials that have one dimension in the nanoscale include layers such as thin film coatings.
Materials that have two dimensions in the nanoscale include nanowires and nanotubes. Materials
that have three dimensions in the nanoscale include quantum dots and nanoparticles.
Nanoscale materials can be incorporated into a final component or system (for example
The Global Market for Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes
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nanocomposite materials incorporating carbon nanotubes into a polymer matrix or nanoparticles
in cosmetics). “Free” two and three dimensions nanomaterials such as nanotubes or
nanoparticles in the form of powder and nanomaterials containing two and three dimensions
nanomaterials such as nanocomposites are the most concern when considering potential health
and safety issues both in a product through its life and within an occupational setting.
These materials are usually manufactured using different techniques to those of bulk materials
and require new processes to be developed using a combination of top down techniques, such as
etching and grinding, and bottom up techniques such as electro-spinning and self-assembly. To
understand material properties and to achieve quality control in manufacture, measurement is
key; new techniques and tools are constantly required. Examples include the Atomic Force
Microscope and technologies for in-line and on-line measurement.
Usually, a nanoscale material or component will need to be integrated into a final product to
realise its value. Examples include electronic devices such as sensors and displays, healthcare
devices such as imaging systems, and diagnostic tools. In their widest sense, nanoscale
technologies have been used by some industries for over a century. In the semiconductor and
chemicals sectors for example, increased knowledge of the relationship between the structure
and properties of nanoscale materials has enabled the production of materials and devices with
higher performance and increased functionality.
This progress has taken place steadily over many years and the influence of nanoscale
technologies on industry, thus far, can be described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Also evident is the current production rates of nanoparticles and nanomaterials, which are still
small in comparison with current production rates of more conventional materials. Sectors in a
position to become early adopters of nanoscale technology are those that are dependent on:
• Advanced materials,
• Sophisticated analytical tools and
• High specification devices enabled by advanced electronics.
There is a rich base for the commercialisation of new technologies, and many opportunities for
developing collaborations across sectors for common development. However, it is also important
to consider at what stage of development particular applications are; whether they are strongly
rooted in the academic world, are being developed by business, or are already in the
marketplace.
The three generations of nanoscale technologies can be described as:
• 1st generation-passive nanoscale technologies, e.g. antibacterial coatings, controlled
release drugs
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• 2nd generation-active nanoscale technologies, e.g. moving towards multifunctional
sensors and self assembly within components
• 3rd generation-active systems of nanoscale technologies, e.g. more than one active
nanoscale technology within a system.
Current exploitation is very much within the 1st generation, dipping into 2nd generation
technologies. Overall the move is towards materials and systems with increasing functionality and
multifunctionality. There are already at least several hundreds of products on the market
incorporating nanomaterials.1 Many more are in the pipeline and can be expected to enter the
market in the near future. Over the coming years and decades, nanotechnologies will continue to
make an impact on manufacturing and service industries; on electronics, information technology;
and on many other areas of life, from medicine to energy conservation.
The opportunities created by nanoscale technologies provide the potential for strong economic
impact, across a large number of market sectors. Applications utilising the enhancements offered
by nanoscale technologies have the potential to help address some of the most important societal
challenges faced in today’s world. These include environmental, economic and social
sustainability, security of energy supply and clean water, healthcare within the ageing and
growing population, living with climate change, and living in a more intelligent connected world.
Just how large this impact will be is not easily quantifiable, but some forecasts have placed the
worldwide market for nanotechnology–related products at around £105 billion by 2005 and £700
billion by 2010.2 This report will offer a conservative take on these estimates. The methodology
for these estimates is outlined in Figure 17.
The scale of the impact of nanotechnology on the world economy and the “disruptive” nature of
the technology fully has lead to international government efforts to stimulate industrial activity and
academic research in the science. Table 1 illustrates current government initiatives and spending.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................7
1.1 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN EUROPE....................................................................................... 14
1.1.1 Funding ............................................................................................................................. 14
1.1.2 National programmes........................................................................................................ 15
1.1.3 Centres and infrastructure................................................................................................. 17
1.1.4 Networks ........................................................................................................................... 17
1.1.5 Companies ........................................................................................................................ 18
1.2 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ASIA-PACIFIC .............................................................................. 20
1.2.1 Funding ............................................................................................................................. 21
1.2.2 National programmes........................................................................................................ 21
1.2.3 Centres and infrastructure................................................................................................. 23
1.2.4 Networks ........................................................................................................................... 23
1.2.5 Companies ........................................................................................................................ 24
1.3 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NORTH AMERICA........................................................................ 25
1.3.1 Funding ............................................................................................................................. 25
1.3.2 National programmes........................................................................................................ 26
1.3.2.1 State initiatives........................................................................................................ 27
1.3.3 Centres and infrastructure................................................................................................. 28
1.3.4 Networks in North America ............................................................................................... 31
1.3.5 Companies ........................................................................................................................ 31
1.4 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA ............................................. 33
1.5 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA............................................... 33
2 COMMERCIALISING NANOTECHNOLOGY................................................................34
2.1 INDUSTRY STRUCTURE...................................................................................................... 36
2.1.1 Suppliers ........................................................................................................................... 37
2.1.1.1 Materials ................................................................................................................. 37
2.1.1.2 Tools and instrumentation ...................................................................................... 38
2.1.1.3 Devices and system integration.............................................................................. 40
2.1.2 Buyers ............................................................................................................................... 40
2.1.3 New entrants ..................................................................................................................... 40
2.1.4 Substitution threats ........................................................................................................... 41
2.1.5 Competition ....................................................................................................................... 42
2.2 KEY CHALLENGES............................................................................................................... 42
2.2.1 TECHNICAL...................................................................................................................... 42
2.2.1.1 Understanding......................................................................................................... 42
2.2.1.2 Tools ....................................................................................................................... 43
2.2.2 MARKET ........................................................................................................................... 44
2.2.2.1 Hype........................................................................................................................ 44
2.2.2.2 Cost......................................................................................................................... 44
2.2.2.3 Production............................................................................................................... 45
2.2.2.4 Public Perception and Ethics .................................................................................. 47
2.2.3 REGULATION................................................................................................................... 48
2.3 MARKET TRENDS AND DRIVERS....................................................................................... 52
2.3.1 DRIVERS .......................................................................................................................... 53
2.3.2 TRENDS ........................................................................................................................... 55
2.3.2.1 Collaboration........................................................................................................... 55
2.3.2.2 First to market ......................................................................................................... 55
2.3.2.3 Nanomaterials advantage....................................................................................... 56
2.3.2.4 Improved products .................................................................................................. 58
2.3.2.5 Decreasing cost of nanomaterials .......................................................................... 59
2.3.2.6 Autonomous systems ............................................................................................. 59
3 THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR CARBON NANOTUBES AND FULLERENES..............61
3.1 CARBON NANOTUBES ........................................................................................................ 63
3.2 PRODUCTION METHODS.................................................................................................... 64
3.3 THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR CARBON NANOTUBES........................................................ 66
3.4 KEY PLAYERS....................................................................................................................... 69
3.4.1 Manufacturers and end users ........................................................................................... 69
3.4.2 Nanomaterials suppliers.................................................................................................... 70
3.4.3 Application developers ...................................................................................................... 72
3.5 FULLERENES....................................................................................................................... 73
3.6 PRODUCTION METHODS.................................................................................................... 74
3.7 THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR FULLERENES ....................................................................... 75
3.8 KEY PLAYERS....................................................................................................................... 77
3.8.1 Manufacturers and end users ........................................................................................... 77
3.8.2 Nanomaterials suppliers.................................................................................................... 78
3.8.3 Application developers ...................................................................................................... 79
4 COMPANY PROFILES .................................................................................................80
4.1 Ahwahnee Technology, Inc.................................................................................................... 80
4.2 American Dye Source ............................................................................................................ 80
4.3 ApNano Materials Inc. ............................................................................................................ 81
4.4 Arkema.................................................................................................................................. 82
4.5 Baytubes (Bayer MaterialScience)......................................................................................... 83
4.6 BioNano International Singapore Pte. Ltd.............................................................................. 84
4.7 Biophan Technologies, Inc..................................................................................................... 84
4.8 Bucky USA ............................................................................................................................. 86
4.9 Carbolex Inc. .......................................................................................................................... 86
4.10 Carbon NT&F 21 .................................................................................................................... 87
4.11 Carbon Solutions Inc. ............................................................................................................. 88
4.12 Catalytic Materials LLC .......................................................................................................... 89
4.13 Catalyx Nanotech Inc. ............................................................................................................ 89
4.14 Eikos Inc................................................................................................................................ 90
4.15 Frontier Carbon Corp. ............................................................................................................ 91
4.16 FutureCarbon GmbH.............................................................................................................. 91
4.17 Helix Material Solutions Inc.................................................................................................... 92
4.18 Honjo Chemical Corp. ............................................................................................................ 92
4.19 Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc. .................................................................................... 92
4.20 Innovations Unified Technologies .......................................................................................... 93
4.21 Luna Nanoworks .................................................................................................................... 94
4.22 Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation ............................................... 95
4.23 Molecular Nanosystems Inc. .................................................................................................. 96
4.24 mPhase Technologies............................................................................................................ 97
4.25 MTR Ltd................................................................................................................................. 97
4.26 MysticMD Inc.......................................................................................................................... 98
4.27 Nanergy Inc ............................................................................................................................ 98
4.28 Nano-C.................................................................................................................................. 99
4.29 Nanocs ................................................................................................................................ 100
4.30 Nanocarblab........................................................................................................................ 100
4.31 Nanocomposites Inc............................................................................................................. 100
4.32 NanoCompound GmbH........................................................................................................ 101
4.33 Nanocyl ............................................................................................................................... 102
4.34 NanoLab, Inc. ....................................................................................................................... 103
4.35 Nanoledge........................................................................................................................... 103
4.36 NanoNB Corp. ...................................................................................................................... 104
4.37 Nanoselect Inc...................................................................................................................... 104
4.38 Nanoshel .............................................................................................................................. 105
4.39 NanoTechLabs, Inc. ............................................................................................................. 105
4.40 Nantero, Inc.......................................................................................................................... 106
4.41 Nanothink ............................................................................................................................. 106
4.42 Natural Nano, Inc. ................................................................................................................ 107
4.43 N-Tec................................................................................................................................... 108
4.44 Raymor Industries, Inc. ........................................................................................................ 109
4.45 Seldon Laboratories LLC ..................................................................................................... 109
4.46 Shenzhen Nanotechnologies Co. Ltd. ................................................................................. 110
4.47 Solarno Inc ........................................................................................................................... 110
4.48 SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc...................................................................................... 110
4.49 Sun Nanotech Co., Ltd......................................................................................................... 111
4.50 TDA Research Inc................................................................................................................ 111
4.51 Term-USA ............................................................................................................................ 111
4.52 Thomas Swan & Co. ............................................................................................................ 112
4.53 Unidym Inc. .......................................................................................................................... 112
4.54 Xintek .................................................................................................................................. 113
5 GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................114