A look at how nanotechnology is driving innovation in the consumer goods sector.
There are a wide-range of consumer products available incorporating nanomaterials, from golf clubs to advanced display technologies in consumer electronics.
Most applications at present exploit advanced material properties by adding nanoparticles either in the bulk material or on the surface. Modifying surface composition allows for enhanced features including scratch resistance, water repellency, reflectivity and photo activity and combinations thereof. Next generation products are likely to incorporate nanomaterials with multi-functional, “smart” capabilities. Market drivers are industry specific but generally encompass the need for enhanced materials to meet evolving consumer demands. The need for improving material performance, reducing costs and meeting environmental regulation features across multiple industries. Consumer product sectors that nanotechnology is impacting include clothing (anti-stain and water repellent fabrics; smart textiles), electronics and computing (increased speeds; enhanced displays), food and beverage (anti-bacteria; safer packaging; flavour burst foods), household cleaning (anti-stain and easy-clean surfaces), personal care and cosmetics (anti-aging and vitamin delivery), sunscreens (transparent high UV-resistance) and sporting goods (high-strength and flexible sports equipment).
Cosmetics and sunscreens
Nanomaterials enhance the formulation properties and acceptability of skin and hair care products such as moisturizing or anti-aging formulations, make-ups or hair-conditioners and also protect the skin, by allowing for higher UV-filters in sunscreens with better transparency.
Companies: L’Oreal, Lancome, Biersdorf, Umicore, Salvona, Nanophase
Clothing and textiles
Current applications for fibers and textiles incorporating nanomaterials include stain resistant clothing, anti-odour for sportswear, anti-microbial medical textiles, conducting cloth, and water repellent fabrics and textiles or a combination of these, without affecting the fabrics breathability or hand feel.
Companies: Nike, Schoeller, Nano-Tex, P2i Ltd., NanoHorizons, DeCie, JR Nanotech
Packaging
Nanotechnology is important for meeting future packaging needs for improving the polymer properties of packaging to extend shelf-life; incorporating anti-bacterial functions; and making packaging interactive and counterfeit-proof. Nanomaterials allow for enhanced mechanical properties, thermal properties and diffusion barrier.
Companies: Honeywell, Bayer, Mitsubushi
Household surfaces
There are a number of nanocoating products on the market for household care. One example is easy-clean coatings that can be applied to sanitary surfaces in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens or window panes, where frequent contact with water, oil and dirt can quickly soil surfaces.
Companies: Nanogate, Buhler, Sto, BASF
