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Carbon Nanotubes 2021-2031: Market, Technology, Players

MWCNTs, FWCNTs & SWCNTs benchmarking study and critical appraisal; VACNTs, sheets, yarns, composites, slurries, and more; granular CNT market forecasts; key manufacturer profiles and analysis; interview-based company profiles


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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been known for many decades, but the moment of significant commercial growth is just approaching. Through expansions, partnerships, acquisitions, and greater market adoption there are clear indicators that now is the time for true market success to be realised.
 
This report gives granular 10-year market forecasts, player analysis, technology benchmarking, and a deep-dive in core application areas. This detailed technical analysis is built on a long history in the field of nanocarbons and is based on primary-interviews with key and emerging players.
 
Technology
 
The potential for CNTs needs no introduction. If the exciting nanoscale properties, from mechanical to thermal & electrical conductivity and beyond, can be realised then the global impact will be profound. However, as is well known the reality is much further from the theoretical ideals.
 
There is a wide range of technology and manufacturing readiness for the different types of nanotubes. Making the nanotubes is just the first step, a large amount of consideration needs to go into understanding how they can be functionalised, purified and/or separated, and integrated. This report goes into extensive detail benchmarking the physical and economic properties of MWCNTs, FWCNTs, and SWCNTs, it extends to key advancements in this post-processing and dispersion technology, which is an essential part for any market success.
 
There is also the trend to making "macro-CNT" products most commonly in the form of sheets/veils or yarns. There are numerous technical challenges in translating the core beneficial properties from the nanoscale but some promising results and emerging applications are being observed; within this vertically aligned CNTs (VACNTs) are one of the most exciting areas taking advantage of the inherent anisotropy of the nanotubes.
 
It is also important to consider the incumbent and emerging competition. In most applications the CNTs are acting as an additive and competing against others from chopped carbon fiber to carbon black and graphene, the combination of properties are essential for adoption and looking beyond to non-tradition figures-of-merit can give indication of where the market potential lies.
 
Players
 
MWCNT production has been established for a long time with most employing a catalytic CVD process, but there remain technical and economic improvements to the MWCNT production and how they are post-processed. This report details the key manufacturers and those further up the supply chain, geographically China has taken a dominant position and leads the way in both installed and planned capacity
 
For MWCNTs there are 3 key news stories: the funding raised and planned expansion of Jiansgu Cnano Technology, the new LG Chem capacity, and the acquisition of SUSN by Cabot Corporation. Most of this movement is linked with the energy storage market and the role CNTs can play as conductive additives for either electrode in both current and next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
 
This is not the first-time this expansion has been planned, as seen in the figure below. In the build up to 2011, there were several expansions that ultimately proved premature; as a result some players left the field and a subsequent period of capacity stagnation was observed. However, during this period utilisation grew and end-users continued to experiment and find application areas where there is genuine added value. Beyond 2020, we are entering into a new age of expansions, the demand from LiBs and other applications suggests there is good reasons in expecting the timing to be right this time.
 
 
Carbon Nanotubes 2021-2031: Market, Technology, Players
SWCNTs are at an earlier stage but there is still a high-level of commercial activity. There is more diversity in the manufacturing from using CO feedstocks to plasma processes and combustion synthesis, this report goes through each of these processes with key profiles and player analysis. With key partnerships being established, some expansion and crucially some market activity these materials are at their start of their commercial journey.
 
Markets
 
This report provides granular 10-year forecasts for MWCNTs and DWCNTs & SWCNTs segmented by end-use application.
 
MWCNTs have numerous application areas from thermal interface materials to shielding cables and coatings but the key sectors are as an additive in energy storage and polymers.
 
Energy storage: Driven by the demand for electrification this market is booming and CNTs are well positioned. The nanotubes act as a conductive additive for either electrode in both current and next-generation lithium-ion battery designs, incorporation of a relatively small weight % can have a significant boost to energy density. The enhanced conductivity is obvious, but the mechanical properties are also very important in providing anchorage that enables thicker electrodes, wider temperature range, or materials that give a higher capacity. How they are dispersed, used with or without a binder, and combined with other additives are all examined in extensive detail within the report. Although lacking the same addressable market, there are also key developments in the role of CNTs for ultracapacitors that are explored in a dedicated chapter.
 
Polymer additives: either in a standalone polymer matrix or within a fiber reinforced polymer composite, CNTs can play a significant role through their blend of properties. This can range from improving interlaminar strength in composite layups to improving the electrostatic discharge capabilities. There are a range of more conductive polymers that have been explored, from epoxies to natural rubber, with players looking to find the sectors that require this value-add.
 
SWCNTs will compete with MWCNTs, particularly as additives for energy storage and elastomer applications, but given their unique properties they are also gaining traction in novel areas for such as memory, sensors, and other electronic applications.
 
Carbon Nanotubes 2021-2031: Market, Technology, Players provides a definitive assessment of this market. IDTechEx has an extensive history in the field of nanocarbons and their technical analysts and interview-led approach brings the reader unbiased outlooks, benchmarking studies, and player assessments on this diverse and expanding industry.
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Table of Contents
1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1.1.The hype curve of the nanotubes and 2D materials
1.2.Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)
1.3.CNTs: ideal vs reality
1.4.Key news stories and market progressions
1.5.Not all CNTs are equal
1.6.Price position of CNTs (from SWCNT to FWCNT to MWCNT)
1.7.Production capacity of CNTs globally
1.8.Progression and outlook for capacity
1.9.CNTs: value proposition as an additive material
1.10.CNT: snapshot of market readiness levels of CNT applications
1.11.CNT-polymer composite: performance levels in different polymers
1.12.CNTs vs. Graphene: general observations
2.MARKET PROJECTIONS
2.1.Methodology and assumptions
2.2.Ten-year market forecast for MWCNTs segmented by applications in value
2.3.Ten-year market forecast for MWCNTs segmented by applications in tonnes
2.4.Ten-year market forecast for SWCNTs/DWCNTs segmented by application in value
2.5.Ten-year market forecast for SWCNTs/DWCNTs segmented by application in tonnes
3.MARKET PLAYERS
3.1.Production capacity of CNTs globally
3.2.Progression and outlook for capacity
3.3.Deep analysis of MWCNT market leaders
3.4.China taking a dominant position
4.CNT PRODUCTION
4.1.Benchmarking of different CNT production processes
4.2.Production processes: laser ablation and arc discharge
4.3.Production processes: chemical vapour deposition overview
4.4.Production processes: vertically aligned nanotubes
4.5.Varieties of vertically-aligned pure CNTs
4.6.Production processes: HiPCO and CoMoCat
4.7.Production processes: eDIPS
4.8.Production processes: Combustion synthesis
4.9.Production processes: Plasma enhanced
5.MORPHOLOGY OF GRAPHENE AND CNT MATERIALS
5.1.Variations within CNTs - images
5.2.Variations within CNTs - key properties
5.3.Significance of dispersions
6.MACRO-CNT: SHEETS AND YARNS
6.1.Trends and players for CNT sheets
6.2.Types of nanocarbon additives: CNT yarns
6.3.CNT yarns: can they ever be conductive enough?
6.4.Post yarn modification and challenges for integrators
6.5.CNT yarns: what material properties parameters impact performance
6.6.CNT yarns: outperforming Cu in non-traditional figures-of-merit (specific capacity)
6.7.CNT yarns outperforming Cu in non-traditional figures-of-merit: ampacity
6.8.CNT yarns outperforming Cu in non-traditional figures-of-merit: lower temperature dependency
6.9.Early CNT Yarn Applications
6.10.Secondary CNT Yarn Applications
7.ENERGY STORAGE - BATTERIES
7.1.The energy storage market is booming
7.2.CNTs in lithium-ion batteries: overview
7.3.Lithium-ion battery technology roadmap
7.4.How high can energy density go?
7.5.Why nanocarbons in Li batteries?
7.6.Results showing CNT improves the performance of commercial Li ion batteries
7.7.Results showing SWCNT improving in LFP batteries
7.8.Improved performance at higher C-rate
7.9.Thicker electrodes enabled by CNT mechanical performance
7.10.Advances in dispersion technology
7.11.Hybrid conductive carbon materials
7.12.Hybrid conductive carbon materials
7.13.Why Silicon anode batteries?
7.14.Overview of Si anode battery technology
7.15.Why silicon anode battery and key challenges?
7.16.New innovations for CNT enabled silicon anodes
8.ENERGY STORAGE - SUPERCAPACITORS
8.1.Batteries vs Supercapacitors
8.2.Supercapacitor technologies
8.3.Performance of carbon nanotube supercapacitors
8.4.Potential benefits of carbon nanotubes in supercapacitors
8.5.Nanocarbon supercapacitor Ragone plots
8.6.Supercapacitor players utilising CNTs - NAWA Technologies
8.7.Supercapacitor players utilising CNTs - Nanoramic Laboratories
8.8.Supercapacitor players utilising CNTs - other companies
8.9.Binder-free CNT film as supercapacitor electrode
8.10.Challenges with the use of carbon nanotubes
9.CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS
9.1.How do CNTs do in conductive composites
9.2.MWCNTs as conductive additives
9.3.Summary of CNT as polymer composite conductive additive
9.4.CNT success in conductive composites
9.5.Examples of products that use CNTs in conductive plastics
9.6.Tensile strength: Comparing random vs aligned CNT dispersions in polymers
9.7.Elastic modulus: Comparing random vs aligned CNT dispersions in polymers
9.8.Thermal conductivity: using CNT additives
9.9.3D printing material
10.FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES
10.1.Role of nanocarbon as additives to FRPs
10.2.Routes to incorporating nanocarbon material into composites
10.3.Routes to electrically conductive composites
10.4.Technology adoption for electrostatic discharge of composites
10.5.Lightning Strike Protection
10.6.Enhanced thermal conductivity - application overview
10.7.Electrothermal de-icing - Nanocarbon patents
10.8.Interlaminar strength
11.METAL COMPOSITES
11.1.Comparison of copper nanocomposites
11.2.Production on copper nanocomposites
11.3.CNT copper nanocomposites
11.4.Multiphase copper nanocomposite with CNT core
11.5.Multiphase composite with a Cu Core
11.6.Homogeneous nanocomposite with high %vol CNT
11.7.Homogeneous low volume percentage
12.TIRES
12.1.CNT applications in tires
12.2.Michelin quantifying nanoparticle release
12.3.SWCNT in tires - benchmarking
12.4.CNT enabled tire sensors
13.CNT TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE FILMS
13.1.Transparent conducting films (TCFs)
13.2.Different Transparent Conductive Films (TCFs)
13.3.ITO film assessment: performance, manufacture and market trends
13.4.ITO film shortcomings: flexibility
13.5.ITO film shortcomings: limited sheet conductivity
13.6.ITO films: price considerations
13.7.Indium's single supply risk: real or exaggerated?
13.8.Carbon nanotube transparent conductive films: performance
13.9.Carbon nanotube transparent conductive films: performance of commercial films on the market
13.10.Carbon nanotube transparent conductive films: matched index
13.11.Carbon nanotube transparent conductive films: mechanical flexibility
13.12.Carbon nanotube transparent conductive films: stretchability as a key differentiator for in-mould electronics
13.13.Example of 3D touch-sensing surface with CNTs
13.14.Example of wearable device using CNT
13.15.CNT Hybrid TCF Materials
13.16.Key players
13.17.Quantitative benchmarking of different TCF technologies
14.THERMAL INTERFACE MATERIALS
14.1.Introduction to Thermal Interface Materials (TIM)
14.2.Summary of TIM utilising advanced carbon materials
14.3.Challenges with VACNT as TIM
14.4.Transferring VACNT arrays
14.5.Notable CNT TIM examples from commercial players
15.SENSORS
15.1.CNTs in gas sensors: Overview
15.2.Alpha Szenszor Inc.
15.3.CNT based gas sensor - C2Sense
16.OTHER APPLICATIONS
16.1.Coatings: Corrosion resistance
16.2.Coatings: Shielding
16.3.Nantero/Fujitsu CNT memory
16.4.Lintec NTSC CNT sheets
17.COMPANY PROFILES
 

Report Statistics

Slides 170
Forecasts to 2031
ISBN 9781913899097
 
 
 
 

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