GBI: Top Ten Clean Technology Trends in 2011 on reports-research.com

Feb. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- It contains a detailed analysis on the major trends in various domains of the clean technology sector. It discusses the emergence of Lithium-ion and Nickel-metal Hydride battery technology in the advanced battery segment. The report analyses the impact of government regulations in the water and wastewater management industry, e-waste management industry, biofuel market, and renewable energy sector.  The report also provides information on the emergence of green buildings to counter the threat of climate change and resource scarcity. It also discusses the emergence of carbon trading and the smart grid market.

Lithium-Ion and Nickel-Metal Hybrid Batteries are Likely to Witness a Rise while Nickel-Cadmium Batteries Lag in 2011

Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are losing market share to Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in the power tools segment, while Nickel-Metal Hybrid (Ni-MH) batteries are taking over Ni-Cd batteries in toys, cordless phones and the household devices segment. Ni-Cd batteries offer only half the capacity of Ni-MH batteries for the same weight or volume, and only one-fourth that of Li-ion batteries. The Ni-Cd market is shrinking due to its poor price-performance ratio compared with other battery chemistries. In 2009, sales of Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries decreased by 43% in the electronics segment, and this trend are expected to continue in 2011 also.

Furthermore, production of Ni-Cd Batteries is declining as a result of stringent legislations restricting the use of cadmium in many countries. The Environment Directorate of the European Commission, along with certain Nordic countries, has restricted the use of cadmium-containing products.

The market share of Li-ion and Ni-MH batteries is increasing. However the rate of growth of Li-ion batteries is higher than the Ni-MH batteries. In 2010, the market share of Li-ion batteries was 79%, which is expected to increase to 80.7% in 2011. GBI Research anticipates a slow increase in the market share of Ni-MH batteries. The market share of Ni-MH is expected to grow by 0.1% for the year 2011 from its share in 2010. However, the Ni-Cd battery market share is on the verge of decline. GBI Research anticipates the market share to reduce to 5.1% in 2011, as compared to 6.8% market share in 2010.

E-Waste Recycling Rates will Continue to Rise in 2011, Driven by Strict Implementation of E-Waste Management Laws

The e-waste recycling rates are highest in Europe among all other regions. In 2005 the e-waste recycling rate in the EU was approximately 30%, which increased to 39% in 2010. GBI Research expects the e-waste recycling rates to go up to 40% in 2011. The reason for the high recycling rate in Europe is the strict implementation of the e-waste management laws. The Waste Electrical and Electronics Goods directive (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substance directive (RoHS) are the EU’s e-waste management laws. In the North American region the e-waste recycling rate is relatively low as compared to Europe. The e-waste recycling rate in the US in 2011 was 13.4%. Analysts at GBI Research anticipate the e-waste recycling rate to be 14% in 2011. The e-waste recycling rate in Canada in 2010 was 7.6%, which is expected to increase slowly with the formulation of e-waste management legislations.

In the Asia-Pacific region the e-waste recycling rate of Japan is very high. In 2010 Japan witnessed a recycling rate of 83%. GBI Research expects the recycling rate in Japan to follow the rising trend to reach 84% in 2011. The recycling rate of e-waste in Japan is very high due to strictly implemented HARL and Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. The e-waste recycling rate in China is very low as compared to Japan. In 2005 the e-waste recycling rate in China was only 4%. Analysts at GBI Research anticipate the recycling rate will slowly start increasing to reach 6% in 2011, due to strict implementation of e-waste management laws. The e-waste recycling rate in India was approximately 4% in 2010. This low recycling rate is due to lack of any specific e-waste management law in India. Similarly, Australia does not have any concrete policy to deal with e-waste on a national basis. However, some of the Australian states like South Australia are trying to facilitate e-waste recovery and recycling. This has led to improvement in the recycling rate. GBI Research anticipates the e-waste recycling rate in Australia to rise to 10% in 2011 from its earlier value of 8% in 2005.

Tightening Wastewater Discharge Regulations to Stimulate the Growth of Membrane Based Systems in 2011

Stringent legislations on effluent discharge will continue to boost the demand for wastewater treatment and recovery technologies such as membrane based systems, activated carbon, and media filtration, among others. Acting as a primary driver for the market, legislative directives have revitalized wastewater treatment and the recovery equipment market and enhanced the growth prospects for secondary and tertiary recycling. The aim is to promote water conservation by treating and re-using wastewater. These legislative directives have placed enormous pressure on industries to clean up their wastewater. Local and national water regulators are keen to adopt international regulations; as for example in China, which recently adopted regulatory systems from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended practices. International regulations which are more stringent are expected to replace local and national regulations, thereby driving growth in the adoption of wastewater treatment and recovery technologies. International regulations are expected to supersede some of the local and national regulations, thus driving growth and the introduction of new products in the industry. This trend is likely to favor global conglomerates and drive further consolidation in the industry in the year 2011.

Global Renewable Energy Share in World Marketed Energy Mix to 2011

Crude oil and other liquid fuels are the major sources of energy for the world, accounting for approximately a third of the total energy consumption. However the increasing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions has led to high acceptance of less polluting energy resources such as renewable sources, natural gas and nuclear energy.

The increasing environmental concern is the major driving force for the increasing adoption of renewable sources of energy. The increasing oil prices, technological advancements, favorable policies and agreement on carbon emission targets by major energy consuming countries will be the major drivers for renewable energy in 2011. Renewable energy sources are expected to steadily increase their share in world energy consumption.
Renewable energy accounted for nearly 10% of the total marketed energy mix in 2010, and is expected to steadily increase to approximately 11% in 2011.


GBI: Top Ten Clean Technology Trends in 2011:
http://www.reports-research.com/market-surveys/clean-tech...

GBI: Further Market Analyses and Data:
http://www.reports-research.com/market-surveys/gbi-resear...

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