Graphene, nanocellulose and nanocoatings markets expected to explode in growth through to 2024

May 12, 2014 - PRLog -- According to new market research from Future Markets,Inc., publisher of Nanotech Magazine, graphene and nanocellulose represent the fastest growing markets for nanomaterials, with production capacities greatly expanded in the last few years and applications hitting the market this year. Nanocoatings incorporating a wide variety of nanomaterials (including graphene and nanocellulose) are already on the market and usage is growing in consumer electronics, medical and hygiene markets.The latest series of fully revised and updated market research reports from Future Markets, Inc., publisher of Nanotech Magazine, provides in-depth analysis of these groundbreaking markets, with market estimates through to 2024 and expanded regional analysis.

The commericial development of nanocellulose over the last few years has mainly been driven by the ever-increasing prices of petroleum and the high-energy intensity in production of chemicals and synthetic polymers. Today there is a substantial amount of research on nanostructured cellulose, and commercial development is now underway with some very promising applications. Utilizing the appropriate conversion and extraction technologies as well as modification and characterization, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), micro/nanofibrillar cellulose (MFC/NFC) and bacterial cellulose (BC) can be integrated into bio-based products.

Their use in novel materials and various applications potentially has substantial environmental and economic benefits. Nanocellulose can be produced from several raw materials and applying various pre-treatments and has great potential as a strength enhancer in paper, as additives in composites, in emulsions, as oxygen barriers for food packaging and in biomedical devices.
Nanocellulose is also being developed for novel use in applications ranging from scaffolds in tissue engineering, artificial skin and cartilage, wound healing and vessel substitutes to biodegradable food packaging. Applications in polymer reinforcement and anti-microbial films will be hitting the market soon. FP Innovations estimates the market to be worth $250 million in North America by 2020.

Nanotechnology is a key driver for new and innovative coating applications and nanocoatings have shown substantial growth in recent years. The nanocoatings industry is conservatively estimated to be $2billion in 2012, growing  to over $8 billion by 2024. In the coating sector, high transparency, new functionalities and high-quality performance are increasingly important requirements. The key element that nanostructured coatings provide however is protection-from ice, pollutant, UV, fire, heat, bacteria, marine life, touch and corrosion. These factors cost global industry billions in maintenance, loss and downtime each year and can pose a significant public health hazard.  For example, direct corrosion costs account for 3-4% of a country’s GDP worldwide.Nanocoatings can significantly increase the cost/benefit ratio of products, providing cost effective solutions and improved performances. Moreover, nanomaterials lead to new functionalities, completely innovative characteristics and the possibility to achieve multifunctional coatings and smart coatings.

Main market drivers are as follows:

• constantly increasing requirements on the performance of protective coatings

• rising cost awareness

• increasing environmental attention related to the reduction of solvent content

• growing application of surface tolerant protective coatings systems or coatings providing universal adhesion

• replacement of toxic inhibitors.

The global market for graphene continues to grow, with weekly technology and production breakthroughs, new investment and public listings of graphene producers. Driven by demand from markets where advanced materials are required, graphene promises to outstrip all current nanomaterials, especially in electronics and energy storage applications. Other markets graphene is impacting include aerospace, automotive, coatings and paints, communications, sensors, solar, oil, and lubricants.

Further details on these markets is available at www.futuremarketsinc.com.