Inorganic Microporous Adsorbent Materials

NEW APPLICATIONS TO EXPAND
THE MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS INDUSTRY

The microporous adsorbents industry is a mature industry with a wide variety of products satisfying the requirements of well-established applications. However, the expanded scope and applicability of environmental regulations, along with improving living standards around the world, are stimulating significant increases in demand for these products. In addition to environmental forces, newly-invented, specialized microporous adsorbent products are creating novel market opportunities in the electronics manufacturing and biomedical industry sectors.

According to a soon-to-be-released study from Business Communications Co., Inc. (www.bccresearch.com) RC-180R Inorganic Microporous Adsorbent Materials, the market value for inorganic microporous adsorbents is estimated at nearly $1.78 billion in 2001. This total, which include are comprised of the top five and other types of inorganic microporous adsorbents, is forecast to grow at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 3.1% to reach 2.08 billion by 2006.

Water and air purification applications in the environmental pollution control industry consume the majority of GAC (granular activated carbon) production. GAC constitutes nearly one-fifth of the total market size and is projected to grow at an AAGR of 3.8%. Its projected growth rate will be negatively affected by relaxed environmental legislation as well as dumping activity from foreign nations.

Zeolites account for the largest market with nearly 62% of the total market and thus heavily influence overall growth rates. Their applications range from detergent builders to high-end catalyst supports in the chemical and petroleum industry. Overcapacity in low-end zeolites and reduced obsolescence of improved high-end products will limit its average yearly growth rate to 2.5% in the next 5 years.

Silica gel adsorbents and activated alumina are expected to have the highest AAGR of 4.8% each, as they increase from $177 million and $91 million in 2001 to a 2006 value of $224 and $115, respectively. Silica gels are the most common desiccants and drying agents and their growth rate will be fueled by applications in healthcare, building materials, and the high-end paper manufacturing industry. Activated alumina adsorbents make common catalyst support in the chemical processing industry. Their application in chromatographic separation columns is expected to accelerate in the biochemical sector.

Clay usage as adsorbents will grow at a rate of 3.4% to a market size of $52 million in 2006. Clays are often used as adsorbents where purity is not a primary concern. Development of pillared intercalated layered clay may offer a niche commercial opportunity. The adsorbent materials discussed have attained best available technology (BAT) status in many of their prominent applications. Although they have achieved significant penetration in those application segments, innovation activity remains brisk.

Market Value of Adsorbents, through 2006
($ Millions)