Global Markets for Inorganic Nanoporous and Microporous Adsorbents

• The North American market for inorganic nanoporous and microporous adsorbents reached $2.2 billion in 2011. It is expected to reach nearly $2.4 billion in 2012 and it will further grow to $2.9 billion by 2017, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%.
• The zeolite segment reached $1.2 billion in 2011. It is expected to reach nearly $1.3 billion in 2012 and it will further grow to $1.5 billion by 2017, a compound CAGR of 3.5%.
• The granular activated carbon segment reached $494.6 million in 2011. It is expected to reach $517.5 million in 2012 and it will further grow to $642.2 million by 2017, a compound CAGR of 4.4%.

REPORT SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This report is an updated edition of a BCC report published in April 2005.  The goal of this study is to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in microporous inorganic adsorbent materials manufacturing, their commercial applications, and worldwide markets.  For the purposes of this report, these materials are defined to include granular activated carbon; the special type of molecular sieves known as zeolites, clays, activated alumina, and silica gel; and miscellaneous adsorbents such as iron oxide.

In this report, several objectives will be met.  The major types of adsorbents will be described, including key physical and chemical properties, raw materials, and manufacturing processes.  Commercial applications in which these adsorbents are used will be discussed.  Present consumption and future demand for these materials will be evaluated for the North American and worldwide regions.  Trends in technology will be analyzed and forecast.  The impact of governmental regulations will be ascertained.  Finally, the structural dynamics of the adsorbent industry will be outlined along with profiles of important manufacturers.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

The nanoporous and microporous adsorbents industry is mature, with a wide variety of products satisfying the requirements of well-established applications.  However, expanded scope and applicability of environmental regulations along with improving living standards around the world are stimulating significant increases in demand for these products.  In addition to environmental applications, newly invented specialized nanoporous sorbent products are creating novel market opportunities in electronics manufacturing and biomedical industry sectors.

Corporations involved with microporous adsorbents must understand the significance of these trends to effectively manage their enterprises and resources.  Stakeholders in these competitive technologies and products must understand the impact of these trends upon their operations.  End users of microporous adsorbents must consider the effect of these changes to select the most cost-effective options among newly available products and technologies prior to committing significant capital resources.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Over the next half-decade, significant change will take place in global nanoporous and microporous adsorbent products and applications.  Technological advances in tailoring pore size distributions and surface chemical activity will lead to novel applications.  This study analyzes several driving forces that will shape the industry over the next few years.

Consequently, the information presented in this study is very important to:

• Members of the financial community who must understand, assess, and rate the effect of forthcoming changes in the microporous adsorbents industry upon the financial performance of companies active in this market segment.
• Chief executive officers who must effectively manage the assets of their company so as to benefit from forthcoming changes in the microporous adsorbents industry.
• Directors of planning who must incorporate anticipated changes in the microporous adsorbents industry into corporate planning documents.
• Directors of manufacturing who must implement new microporous adsorbent technology and products into their operations.
• Directors of engineering, research, and development who must incorporate the latest advances in microporous adsorbent technology and products into their designs and projects.
• Major adsorbent consumer decision makers, such as large water and wastewater treatment facilities and petrochemical complexes, in order to select the best adsorbents for their applications.
• Executives at companies engaged in developing competitive materials and technologies such as polymeric adsorbents.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

This report covers the technological, economic, and environmental considerations of the inorganic microporous adsorbent industry. Although this report is primarily a study of U.S. markets, analysis and forecasts are also provided for global markets.

The North American markets are presented by adsorbent type and by commercial application with growth forecasts through 2017.  The driving forces in the industry and the structure of the industry are also examined.

International aspects of the inorganic microporous adsorbent industry are discussed with respect to major geographic markets, types of adsorbents, and available manufacturing capacity.  Lastly, brief profiles of the major manufactures in the North American markets are presented.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this study.  Estimates of current market demand are made for 2011 and projected over the 5 years from 2012 to 2017.  Projections are made in terms of constant 2011 dollars.  The growth rates are presented as average annual rates.

Market values were calculated simply by multiplying the number of pounds of material sold by the average price per pound.  Confirmation of the numbers was obtained by contacting several representative manufacturers in the nanoporous and microporous adsorbents industry and analyzing published reports.

INFORMATION SOURCES

The information in this report was derived from interviews with individuals in the industry; searches of online and print media, including electronic databases, conference proceedings, patent literature, trade journals and newsletters; company publications, filings with SEC, and websites.

ANALYST’S CREDENTIALS

The original report on which this update is based was prepared by market research analyst Ravindra Deshpande, who has more than 12 years of research and product development experience in the manufacturing industry.  Mr. Deshpande holds a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering along with an MBA.  He has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals and is the lead inventor on several patents.

The analyst responsible for updating the report is Andrew McWilliams, a partner in 43rd Parallel LLC, the Boston–based international technology and marketing consulting firm.  Mr. McWilliams is the author or co-author of numerous other BCC studies, including the following studies in related fields: NAN015F Advanced Ceramics and Nanoceramic Powders; NAN021E Global Markets for Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Nanoclays, and Nanotubes; NAN028A Nanocatalysts; NAN040A Nanomaterials Markets by Type; ENV003C U.S. Indoor Air Quality Market; ENV011A The U.S. Market for Clean Technologies; and CHM020D Catalysts for Environmental and Energy Applications.

Table Of Contents

Chapter- 1: INTRODUCTION - Complimentary 4
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
INTENDED AUDIENCE
SCOPE AND FORMAT
METHODOLOGY
INFORMATION SOURCES
ANALYST’S CREDENTIALS
RELATED BCC REPORTS
BCC ON-LINE SERVICES
DISCLAIMER

Chapter- 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
Table Summary : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET GROWTH FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, THROUGH 2017
Figure Summary : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET GROWTH OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011-2017

Chapter- 3: INDUSTRY AND MARKET OVERVIEW 9
NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS
GLOBAL MARKETS
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Chapter- 4: TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW 61
MAJOR TYPES OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS
MANUFACTURING OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS

Chapter- 5: COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS 127
CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
CHEMICAL AND PROCESS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
PETROLEUM AND GAS REFINING INDUSTRY
BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Chapter- 6: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT TRENDS 3
PATENT ANALYSIS
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT TRENDS

Chapter- 7: INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BUSINESS 5
Table 29 : WORLDWIDE MARKETS FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE AND REGION, 2011
Figure 26 : GLOBAL MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011
Figure 27 : WORLDWIDE MARKETS FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE AND REGION, 2011
Figure 28 : GLOBAL INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENT MARKETS BY WORLD REGIONS, 2011
Table 30 : WORLDWIDE MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY REGION, THROUGH 2017
Figure 29 : WORLDWIDE MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY REGION, 2011–2007

Chapter- 8: PROFILES OF KEY MANUFACTURERS 17
ALMATIS GMBH
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL
APYRON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
ARKEMA, INC.
AXENS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
BASF AG
CALGON CARBON CORP.
CARBOCHEM CORP.
CARBON ACTIVATED CORP.
CPL CARBON LINK CORP.
CRITERION CATALYST CO.
EXXONMOBIL OIL CORP.
FILTERCOR, INC.
FILTERSPUN, INC.
GENERAL CARBON CORP.
GSA RESOURCES, INC.
J.M. HUBER CORP.
MARTIN MARIETTA MAGNESIA SPECIALITIES, INC.
MEADWESTVACO, INC.
MONSANTO ENVIRO-CHEM SYSTEMS, INC.
MULTISORB TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NANOPORE CORP.
NORIT AMERICAS, INC.
NUCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POROCEL CORP.
PQ CORP.
RESINTECH, INC.
SHELL OIL CO.
STEELHEAD SPECIALTY MINERALS
SUD-CHEMIE ADSORBENTS
TEAGUE MINERAL PRODUCTS
TIGG CORP.
UOP LLC
VIC MANUFACTURING CO.
W.R. GRACE & CO.
WESTATES CARBON, INC.
ZEOCHEM
ZEOLYST INTERNATIONAL

List of Tables

Summary Table : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET GROWTH FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, THROUGH 2017
Table 1 : CLASSIFICATION OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS
Table 2 : TYPES OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS
Table 3 : STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS
Table 4 : SURFACE-RELATED PROPERTIES OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS
Table 5 : POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS
Table 6 : NATURAL RAW MATERIALS USED IN ACTIVATED CARBON MANUFACTURING
Table 7 : GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON MANUFACTURERS’ ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Table 8 : KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROPOROUS AND NANOPOROUS ZEOLITES
Table 9 : ZEOLITE MANUFACTURERS’ ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Table 10 : TYPES OF NATURAL CLAYS
Table 11 : ACTIVATED ALUMINA MANUFACTURERS’ ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Table 12 : SILICA GELS MANUFACTURERS’ ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Table 13 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS FOR INORGANIC MICROPOROUS AND NANOPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, THROUGH 2017
Table 14 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 15 : NORTH AMERICAN CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 16 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 17 : NORTH AMERICAN HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 18 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 19 : NORTH AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 20 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE CHEMICAL AND PROCESS INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 21 : NORTH AMERICAN CHEMICAL AND PROCESS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 22 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE PETROLEUM AND GAS REFINING INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 23 : NORTH AMERICAN PETROLEUM AND GAS REFINING APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 24 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY, THROUGH 2017
Table 25 : NORTH AMERICAN BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 26 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES, THROUGH 2017
Table 27 : NORTH AMERICAN MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS’ MARKET SHARE BY ADSORBENT TYPE, 2011
Table 28 : ADSORBENT TECHNOLOGY RELATED U.S. PATENTS ISSUED TO LEADING MANUFACTURERS, 1995-2010
Table 29 : WORLDWIDE MARKETS FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE AND REGION, 2011
Table 30 : WORLDWIDE MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY REGION, THROUGH 2017

List of Figures

Summary Figure : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET GROWTH OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011-2017
Figure 1 : SHARE OF NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011
Figure 2 : PROJECTED ADSORBENT MARKET COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE (CAGR), 2012-2017
Figure 3 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY COMMERCIAL APPLICATION, 2011
Figure 4 : PROJECTED AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH OF ADSORBENT CONSUMPTION BY APPLICATION, 2012-2017
Figure 5 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR INORGANIC MICROPOROUS AND NANOPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011
Figure 6 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR INORGANIC MICROPOROUS AND NANOPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY REGION, 2011
Figure 7 : MARKET SHARE OF GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON MANUFACTURERS IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Figure 8 : MARKET SHARE OF ZEOLITES MANUFACTURERS IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Figure 9 : MARKET SHARE OF ACTIVATED ALUMINA MANUFACTURERS IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Figure 10 : SILICA GELS MANUFACTURERS ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE IN NORTH AMERICA, 2011
Figure 11 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS FOR INORGANIC MICROPOROUS AND NANOPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011–2017
Figure 12 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, 2011-2017
Figure 13 : MARKET SHARE OF ADSORBENTS IN CONSUMER GOODS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 14 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, 2011–2017
Figure 15 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 16 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY, 2011–2017
Figure 17 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 18 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE CHEMICAL AND PROCESS INDUSTRY, 2011–2017
Figure 19 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN THE CHEMICAL AND PROCESS INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 20 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE PETROLEUM AND GAS REFINING INDUSTRY, 2011–2017
Figure 21 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN THE PETROLEUM AND GAS REFINING INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 22 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN THE BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY, 2011–2017
Figure 23 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN THE BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRY, 2011
Figure 24 : NORTH AMERICAN MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE IN MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES, 2011–2017
Figure 25 : MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC ADSORBENTS IN OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES, 2011
Figure 26 : GLOBAL MARKET SHARE OF INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE, 2011
Figure 27 : WORLDWIDE MARKETS FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY TYPE AND REGION, 2011
Figure 28 : GLOBAL INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENT MARKETS BY WORLD REGIONS, 2011
Figure 29 : WORLDWIDE MARKET FOR INORGANIC NANOPOROUS AND MICROPOROUS ADSORBENTS BY REGION, 2011–2007