Sizing nanotechnology’s value chain

1) There is no “nanotechnology market.” There is a nanotechnology value chain, going from nanomaterials (e.g., clay nanoparticles) to nanointermediates (e.g., composite materials made from the clay nanoparticles) to nano-enabled products (e.g., the 2004 Chevrolet Impala, with side body moldings made from the nanocomposite material).

2) Not all nanotechnology is new. Emerging nanotechnology is developing against a backdrop of well-understood, established nanotechnology. Examples of the latter include synthetic zeolites as well as currently shipping microchips with feature sizes under 90nm.

3) Many products incorporating nanotechnology will be only marginally profitable. Most nanomaterials will rapidly become commodities with operating margins capped at the high single digits typical of specialty chemicals. Profits from nanointermediates and nano-enabled products will vary widely, following product category margins.

Click here to view full presentation (pdf 141kb)

You need Adobe Acrobat to read this document. If you do not have it, you can download it free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Lux Research is the world's premier research and advisory firm focusing on the business and economic impact of nanotechnology and related emerging technologies. Lux Research provides continuous advisory services, customized consulting, and reference studies to corporations, start-ups, financial institutions, and public sector organizations. Our founders and our research staff are the most widely recognized nanotechnology visionaries throughout the world. For more details please visit http://www.luxresearchinc.com