Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Over the past decade, industry analysts have observed that the use of
controlled release products had extended far beyond the medical applications
and limited use in specialty agricultural products. During that time,
accumulated industry know-how and the expiration of many of the original
patents has made it economical to add controlled release components, chiefly
engineered polymers, into less expensive products including commodities. The
migration of controlled release features from high-margin specialty products
to low-margin mass marketed products is, of course, characteristic of most
advanced technologies. In the case of controlled release technology, three
additional, and on the surface seemingly unrelated, forces have come into play
to accelerate the demand for materials that impart sustained or timed delivery
characteristics. Those forces are:
- Higher than previously anticipated petroleum costs.
- Consumer demand for faster meal preparation.
- Sweeping new European Union (EU) rules that could restrict the use of as
many as 30,000 commonly used industrial chemicals.
- The speed with which those changes will impact upon the markets for
existing controlled release products makes it appropriate for BCC to prepare
an in-depth analysis of the current state of the industry in 2006, and
forecast its direction through 2012.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- The basic controlled release technologies used in non-medical markets
- A detailed description of global forces shaping future markets for
controlled release products
- Projections for the 2006 U.S. and global material sales in 22 market
segments
- Forecasts 2007 to 2012 U.S. and global material demand in each segment
- Key patents for methods and materials that impart controlled release
- Profiles of the major controlled release technology developers.
METHODOLOGY
To forecast emerging technologies and products we analyze controlled release
products currently on the market, announced products undergoing field testing,
U.S. patents, and products referenced in forward looking financial statements
filed with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission.
This report specifically omits products that fall under the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) as biologics, drugs, medical devices, combination
products, dental products and veterinary products. Controlled release products
for human healthcare are discussed in detail in Medical Device Coatings.
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