Analysis of the polymer, cellulose, alumina etc. nanofibers market including producers and application developers currently driving the market.
Global revenues for nanofiber-enabled products were an estimated US$382.1 million in 2011, growing to around $852.3 million by 2017. Main markets for polymer nanofibers are in air and water filtration, composites and textiles. Polymeric nanofibers account for the main bulk of the current revenues for nanofibers, finding application across a number of sectors. Alumina nanofibers are mainly used in filtration applications. Carbon nanofibers are beginning to find application across a raft of industries including electronics (heat management, EMI shielding, conductors), composites (polymers, resins, glass, ceramics, plastics), energy (batteries, catalysts and fuel cells) and medicine and life sciences and carbon nanofibers represent the fastest growing market for nanofibers, especially in Li-Ion battery applications. Cellulose nanofibers are also beginning to make an impact in composites and electronics applications. Nanofiber based composites with excellent physical and mechanical properties offer great potential for lightweight, wear-resistant, and high temperature applications in the aerospace and aviation industry. Alumina, polymer, carbon and cellulose fiber composites are found in a number of industrial applications including automotive, aerospace and civil engineering as a specialized-functional material with high strength and modulus, high thermal resistance and high elasticity etc. Due to its outstanding thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) are one of the most promising reinforcing materials of metal matrix composites (MMCs) for the thermal dissipation of future power electronics. Nanofiber-based polymeric battery separators boost the performance and safety of lithium ion batteries. Nanofibers find widespread application in automotive applications, allowing for lower curb weight, better fuel efficiency and reduced costs.
Leading players in the market include Ahlstrom, Dupont, Donaldson, Hollingsworth & Vose, Johns Manville, Kuraray, Mitsubishi Rayon, Teijin and Toray. Innovative up and coming companies involved in both the production and application of nanofibers include Elmarco, Fiberio Technology Corporation, Finetex and Nanoval. Leading application developers include NEC and Asahi Kasei.
ANF Development
www.nafen.ee
THE COMPANY
ANF Technology (UK) and ANF Development (EST) are producers of aluminium oxide nanofiber and nanopowder products branded as NAFEN.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology and equipment for the production of alumina nanofibers (Nafen™) by controlled liquid phase oxidation of Aluminium have been designed and developed, and already introduced to pilot production setup in Tallinn, Estonia in August 2011, with production capacity of 0,5 kg/h, 24h/7 days per week with possibilities for mass production at available price.
Markets
ANF is developing Alumina Nano Fibers (Nafen™) for application in structural and multifunctional composites, catalysts, filtration, electronics, energetics, medicine and biology, agriculture.
Catalyx Nanotech
www.catalyxnano.com
THE COMPANY
Catalyx Nanotech, Inc., founded in 2007, manufactures Platelet Graphite Nanofibers (PGNF). The company is a spin off from the technology incubator, Catalyx, Inc., and was formed with the vision of using renewable resources to produce high quality nanomaterials.
TECHNOLOGY
By utilizing cost-effective and patented catalysis technologies, Catalyx Nanotech is able to produce its unique Platelet Graphite Nanofibers from methane, which is produced naturally from decaying organic material in garbage at landfills.
Markets
Applications of the platelet carbon nanofibers are as catalyst supports, electrodes for Li ion batteries, wastewater treatment media and gas separation media.
Clearbridge
www.clearbridgenanomedics.com
THE COMPANY
The company is a spin-out from the National University of Singapore. The company is developing a nanofiber mesh with applications in the cosmetic and wound management industries. The nanofiber consists of a bio-resorbable and bio-compatible polymer.
TECHNOLOGY
The first product that Clearbridge Nanomedics aims to develop is a high-surface contact area, ultra-pliable, time-release, leave-on facial mask. This could be applied as extended-wear facial masks, anti-aging stickers or eye patches. The nature of the nanofibers mesh gives it an ultra-high surface contact area due to the fine nature of the nanofibers. This provides better conformity to the skin’s surface and can be used to encapsulate collagen or other skin-enhancing ingredients.
Markets
The nanofibers have time-release properties, thereby allowing for nourishing compounds such as vitamins, sunscreen or other desirable medication to be continuously delivered directly to the skin at an optimum rate.
SNS NanoFiber
www.snsnano.com
THE COMPANY
SNS Nano Fiber Technology was founded in January 2007. It originated as a result of a cooperative effort between the University of Akron and Schill & Seilacher, a German family owned chemical company with a history of innovative research. Schill & Seilacher also owns Struktol Company of America, a global company producing additives for the rubber, plastic, and chemicals markets.
TECHNOLOGY
A variety of particles have been successfully entrapped or encapsulated in the nanofiber matrices that are Nanosan® nonwovens. For instance, SAPs were incorporated into the web of polymer nanofibers resulting in high absorption properties for Nanosan®.
Markets
The company are developing polymer nanofiber based wound dressings.
Xanofi
www.xanofi.com
THE COMPANY
Xanofi is a spinout company from North Carolina State University. Xanofi, using a patent pending wet-spinning technique called XanoShear™ to create shear force in liquids, producing nanofibers at less than half the cost and yields of 20 times more the current methods.
TECHNOLOGY
The XanoShear™ wet-spinning manufacturing process creates shear force in liquids that creates nanofibers from organic and inorganic polymers subjected to this force. One version of XanoShear™ uses one cylinder spinning inside another and injects soluble polymers or biopolymers into a viscous solution in the cylinder. The process is amenable to the use of additives to create functionalized nanofibers.
Markets
Filtration, consumer products, medical, energy, electronics. The company has a contract with a US filter manufacturer.
Teijin Fibers
www.teijinfiber.com
THE COMPANY
Based in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in six main fields: synthetic fibers (aramid fibers and carbon fibers); polyester fibers, films and plastics; pharmaceuticals and home health care; trading and retail; and IT and new products.
TECHNOLOGY
Nanofront
The product is a polymer nanofiber to enhance water absorption, absorbability of particulates, and anti-translucency for applications including functional sportswear, skin care products and anti-bacterial filters.
Morphotex
The product is a nanostructured optical interference fiber.
Tepyrus
Tepyrus nanofibers are used in dry nonwoven fabric with heat fusion bonding and flame resistance.
Markets
Applications include clothing and apparel, skin care, and filtration.
Finetex Tech.
www.finetextech.com
THE COMPANY
Finetex Technology, Inc. was founded in 2004 after a decade of research, which resulted in a unique electrospinning process to produce nano-scale fibers and structures that can be manufactured on a mass scale. Finetex has on-going expansion plans in North America and Europe with marketing offices located in Asia, North America and Europe.
TECHNOLOGY
Finetex Technology develops of nano nonwoven coatings on various substrates, nano nonwoven breathable fabrics, and nano filaments.
Markets
Applications include engine oil filtration, industrial air and liquid filtration, and microelectronic particle filtration, and also in various nano-textile applications to breathable fabric and clothing companies.
