Nov 2 2010
Nanotechnology, a confluence of existing streams of research and technologies, deals with matter at nanoscale.
The intersection of diverse fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and Engineering, is enabling nanotechnology to grow rapidly. The progress is clearly evident from the proliferation of the term ‘nano’ as a prefix against all imaginable words - Nanosphere, Nanophase, NanoOpto, NanoProducts, Nanogram or Technology. Termed as a revolution, nanotechnology is likely to change the world, as it exists today. Nanotechnology is making things smaller, stronger and faster, and incorporating these new devices with comprehensively novel properties (or augmenting their existing properties). Nanotechnology is expected to leave no business unscathed or untouched as its sheer ability to construct materials from building blocks the size of a virus is likely to unleash a wave of capabilities in the years to come.
Given that market prospects for nanotechnology-enabled products are closely tied to health of the industry segment they serve, the recent volatility in chemical, automotive and semiconductor & electronics industries, as a result of economic recession had a bearing on their demand. The year 2009 was especially a challenging year for automotive, electronics, and chemical industries, due to which growth momentum in the nanotechnology market slowed. With the financial crunch resulting in deep cutbacks on capital expenditures, as manufacturers operating in these industries turn defensive against uncertain economic prospects, investments in R&D and commercialization of new nanotechnology enabled products for these sectors has also taken a severe beating. Weakening momentum in most industrialized economies, and tight credit conditions cancelled out heady growth patterns of yesteryears and optimistic expectations in the global market. Venture capitalists too have been averse to investments on riskier domains such as such as nanotechnology, thereby hampering the market prospects further for nanotechnology enabled products.
Although the economic slowdown has taken a bite out of its growth momentum, the market for nanotechnology-enabled products has successfully ridden the worst-ever downturn without recording hurting erosions in market value. This positive trend can be primarily attributed to the demand from Aerospace & Defense and Pharma & Healthcare segments, which has displayed greater resilience to the economic turmoil than most of the other end-use markets. Backed by huge number of Government sponsored projects, which remain immune to the implications of economic slowdown, the demand for nanotechnology enabled products for these industry segments continues to remain encouraging, thus projecting a positive outlook for the overall market. Additionally, government funding for such emerging technologies are often set over longer timescales, thereby making it lesser vulnerable to economic pressures. Also, the current and future application benefits of nanotechnology, especially in pharma & healthcare and environmental remediation go beyond the current temporary weakness in market climate. Nanotechnology products present potential for cheaper, faster, and more environmental friendly applications and therefore continue to remain in focus of global R&D and commercialization efforts. Demand for nano-enabled products in drug manufacture, diagnostics, medical imaging, implants and medical device segments will turbo charge growth in this market over the next few years. With recession at its tail’s end and quick resurgence in growth fundamentals to follow, such as improvement of business scenario in key markets and increase in private and government sector funding on R&D, the global market for nanotechnology enabled products is expected to recover poise and gain robust growth in demand in the next few years.
As stated by the new market research report on nanotechnology, products incorporating nanotechnology in chemicals industry make up for the largest product segment, while those in pharma & healthcare industry represent the fastest growing segment, surging at an impressive CAGR of about 77.57% over the analysis period. While the US and Europe will continue to remain major geographic markets for nanotechnology industry until 2015, their market shares are expected to decline over the next few years. In contrast, the share of the Asia Pacific region in the nanotechnology market is expected to grow substantially over the years, thanks to the steady investments in this field of science. Asia-Pacific is already the fastest growing regional market for nanotechnology, and the recent R&D initiatives by emerging economies such as China, and India will bolster this growth further this regional market in the years to come.
Key players profiled in the report include Advanced Diamond Technologies Inc., Advanced Nano Products Co. Limited, Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., ApNano Materials Inc., Catalytic Materials LLC, Chemat Technology Inc., Dendritic Nanotechnologies Inc., eSpin Technologies Inc., Genefluidics Inc., Hyperion Catalysis International Inc., Hybrid Plastics, Hanwha Nanotech Corporation, Integran Technologies Inc., Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc., Life Technologies Corportation, NANOCYL S.A., Nanogen Inc., NanoGram Corporation, Nanomaterials Laboratory, Nanoledge, NanoSperse LLC, Nanosys Inc., Intrinsiq Materials Limited (IML), QuantumSphere Inc., Raymor Industries Inc., Rogue Valley Microdevices Inc., Rosseter Holdings Limited., Shenzhen Nanotech Port Co. Ltd., SouthWest NanoTechnologies Inc., Sun Nanotech Co. Ltd., Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, Unidym Inc., Veeco Probes, among others.
The research report titled “Nanotechnology: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections in value sales for nanotechnology-enabled products in key end-use industry segments such as Chemicals, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Semiconductors & Electronics, Pharma & Healthcare, Food, and Others.
Source: http://www.strategyr.com/