Sol-gel is a billion-dollar market

June 7, 2006, Wellesley, MA--The US market for sol-gel processing of ceramics and glass will be worth $330 million, according to a technical market report issued by BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com). The US market is expected to reach $500 million by 2011 at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) rate of 8.7%. The global market for sol-gel products in 2006 was $1 billion; this is forecasted to increase to $1.4 billion by 2011 with an AAGR of 6.3%.

Sol-gel is a low-temperature method of fabricating glass in shapes that can range from simple to very intricate. A chemical solution containing glass precursors is formed into a colloidal suspension that can be molded and then hardened. High-quality optical elements are possible, as are doped materials (even containing organic dyes) suitable for laser-gain media.

These and other optical and electronic applications will be the fastest growing market segments from 2006 to 2011, at an annual average growth rate ranging from 12% to 15%. High growth rates are also expected for chemical and biomedical applications--between 9% and 11.5% per year. New market segments are emerging in biomedical applications (such as bone-grafting materials and drug therapy products) and chemical applications (gas separation membranes).

In terms of global regional market share, the U.S. currently has about 32% of the world market, and is expected to increase this market share by 2011 to 36%. A major growth area is organic/inorganic materials for optical and biomedical applications; a significant number of research groups currently working on such materials.

The U.S. has become the global leader in research and development. However, Japan is able to commercialize sol-gel technology and market products faster. The total number of U.S. patents has been declining in the projection period from 1999. European competition to the U.S. is mainly from Germany.