Abstract
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
- The global market for nanotechnology in environmental applications
generated $1.1 billion in 2008 and an estimated $2.0 billion in 2009. This is
expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 61.8% to reach
$21.8 billion in 2014.
- The environmental protection segment has the largest market share, worth
$661.4 million in 2008. This is expected to increase to more than $1.0 billion
in 2009 and $10.3 billion in 2014, for a CAGR of 58.1%.
- Environmental enhancement is currently the second-largest market segment,
generating $189.4 million in 2008 and an estimated $463.5 million in 2009.
This should reach $2.8 billion in 2014, for a CAGR of 43.6%.
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This report will focus on and survey global markets for present and future
potential nanotechnology products developed for environmental applications
through 2014. Factors involved in driving product demand within this vast
untapped market will be explored in conjunction with trends, potential sales,
and forecasts for various market sectors. Investigations will be conducted to
elucidate current research efforts, as well as the characterization and
quantification of developing environmental nanotechnologies already poised to
enter the marketplace. In addition, manufacturers involved with the production
of these nanotechnologies, along with their anticipated product volumes will
be analyzed to demonstrate how these advances might impact specific
environmental market segments.
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
Expansive potential markets for environmental nanotechnology ("E-nano")
products already exist for a wide array of urgently needed environmental
remedial applications, some of which appear to have requirements that are
approaching critical levels. Indeed, it can be considered as essential that
innovative and robust nanotechnology-based remedial technologies be developed
as rapidly as possible in order to assure our continued well-being, if not our
very survival long-term.
Conventional environmental remedial solutions seem to be relatively
ineffectual in the face of currently extensive and expanding pollutant loads
that permeate the air, water, and soil environments. This has been repeatedly
evidenced by the limited successes seen in response to addressing recent
large-scale cleanup challenges. Nanotechnologies dedicated to environmental
cleanup may evolve to levels of sophistication and efficiency such that
contaminant-affected areas might very well be "engineered" back to their
original integrity; so as to "reset" the conditions for the restoration of
their delicate balance.
SCOPE OF REPORT
The scope of this research report will envelop four primary high-demand areas
for nanotechnological components, products and systems for application to the
environment. These are organized according to levels of perceived critical
importance. In a strategic sense they might all be implemented simultaneously,
in that dedicated nanotechnologies emanating from each area may support and
enhance the others. This report will be divided into four primary sections,
which will be discussed in more detail in the Summary. These sections
investigate nanotechnologies for the following applications:
- Environmental remediation
- Environmental protection
- Environmental maintenance
- Environmental enhancement
- All revenue figures are in U.S. dollars.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology involved in the compilation of this report included extensive
literature searches, assimilation and distillation of environmentally related
nanotechnology research. Where clarification or additional information was
required to further elucidate specific technologies, individual researchers
were contacted. Companies were consulted when a more in-depth description of
their processes, products and perceived markets was warranted.
Relative to the sections of the report that explore potential nanotechnologies
for environment policies, laws, and safety concerns, hundreds of emails were
sent out internationally to survey individuals involved in these areas. This
strategy was employed to gain a clearer picture and cross-disciplinary
understanding of these domains, and to glean various perceptions of
environmentally applied Nanotechnologies via respondent opinions, comments and
perspectives. These individuals included international government environment
officials, scientists and research experts, politicians, environmental lawyers
and lawmakers, business leaders, as well as individuals from several prominent
international environmental groups.
The market values expressed within this report include those attributed to the
dedicated research involved for specific items, as well as the valuation of
finished products. Nanotechnology may be perceived as a fundamentally enabling
and value-adding platform with the potential capacity for encompassing
virtually every business/market sector. Therefore, when describing various
facets of nanotechnology in the environmental applications market, the author
feels that a distinction should not be made between the worth of particular
products and/or processes, and those of the integrated nanomaterials that
serve to improve their quality and performance.
The rationale here is that many products and processes that have been, or will
be, enhanced and functionalized via nanotechnology might be less, or not at
all, likely to be considered for purchase were it not for their value-added
"nanoness" factor. The markets for these goods themselves may be generated, to
a significant degree, by virtue of the nanomaterials, nanoscale engineering,
and/or nanodevices that they contain, and the added benefits that they convey.
Hence, a blended value for these markets seems appropriate.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Information sources used in this report included online literature searches,
journal-published scientific papers, editorials, news articles, and government
as well as global environmental agency databases, reports and briefings.
Numerous books and magazines were consulted for relevant technological
information, or for background sections. Researchers considered as experts in
their respective fields and nanomaterials companies were also consulted.
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