Global Electroactive Polymers Market: Revolutionizing Automation World

The increasing need for greater sophistication in the automation industry and in electronics protection is driving the market for low-cost, lightweight, and low driving voltage materials. Advances in electronics and polymers manufacturing technology have given rise to the concept of electroactive polymers. These polymers began to be used as base materials for motion control and protective applications as the use of mechanical moving parts reduced efficiency and increased wear and tear. When compared with conventional motion-generating devices, electroactive polymers provide equally good efficiency and lower costs and power consumption.

The electroactive polymers market is segmented into conductive plastics, inherently conducting polymers and inherently dissipative polymers. The global electroactive polymers market was at $1.7 billion in 2008; and is expected to grow exponentially at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2009 to 2014 mainly due to the already existing demand for new applications be commercialized in the next five years.

The electroactive polymers market holds a lot of scope for improved material commercialization as it is still in its nascent stage, and as high temperature resisting polymers are yet to be developed. The expected applications of electroactive polymers, such as full-page displays and biomimetics, are expected to boost the overall market. The development and commercialization of new polymers would further widen EAP applications. The key players in the electroactive polymers market include Artificial Muscle, H.C. Starck, Panipol Oy, etc.

Intensive R&D efforts, early product commercialization, and the high absorption rate of electronic products made North America the dominant market in 2008. The region held a 64% share of the global electroactive polymers product market, followed by Europe with a 22% share in the same year.

In 2009, the conductive plastics submarket is expected to dominate the global electroactive polymers market with 84% share, mainly due to its extensive application in electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference.

The U.S. accounted for 41% of the total number of electroactive polymers patents filed worldwide between 2004 and September 2009. The region had the highest number of patents mainly due to the presence of major players in this region and increasing R&D for new applications.

Our analysis indicates that companies taking the first mover advantage by quick commercialization of applications with intensive R&D efforts for new polymers and applications will have an edge over their competitors. Agreements and collaborations as well as new product launches are some of the most popular strategies adopted by market players to stay ahead of the competition and to expand into new geographies.

Technological developments in the electronics and semiconductor industries have led to the creation of polymers that change shape on the application of voltage. The biggest application for electroactive polymers (EAPs) lies in their future use as actuators and sensors, which in turn opens up a huge spectrum of applications in the fields of electronics, healthcare, sensing, and solar energy generation. With the growing market for each of these applications, EAP is set to become a mainstream market in the next five years. However, the technical specifications for each application differ widely, and extensive research and investments are still needed for developing application-specific EAPs.

The global electroactive polymers product market is expected to be worth US$2.78 billion by 2014. The conductive plastics segment contributed 84% to the overall market in 2009, mainly due to its extensive application in electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference. As the EAP market is still in the early phase, it presents many advantages for the early movers. As there are not too many companies involved now, detailed knowledge of the competitors will be crucial for the success of each company.

Scope of the report

This report aims to identify and analyze products and applications that use electroactive polymers. The report has segmented the global electroactive polymers market as follows:

• Electroactive Polymers Product Market: Conductive plastics, Inherently Conductive Polymers (IDPS) and Inherently Dissipative Polymers (IDPS)
• Electroactive Polymers Applications Market: OLED, Capacitors, Batteries, Organic transistors, Sensors, Solar cells, Actuators, Textiles and fabrics, Electromagnetic interference (EMI), Electrostatic discharge (ESD), Antistatic packaging, Paints and coatings and others.
• Electroactive Polymers Technology Market: ICPs doping technology, Benefits of ICPs and technical aspects of conductive plastics
  Each section will provide market data, market drivers, trends and opportunities, top-selling products, key players, and competitive outlook. This report will also provide more than 45 market tables for various geographic regions covering the sub-segments and micro-markets. In addition, the report also provides more than 30 company profiles for each of its sub-segments.

What makes our reports unique?

• We provide the longest market segmentation chain in this industry- not many reports provide market breakdown upto level 5.
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• Comprehensive market analysis for the following sectors: Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, semiconductor and electronics, energy and power supplies, food and beverages, chemicals, advanced materials, industrial automation, and telecom and it. we also analyze retailers and super-retailers, technology providers, and research and development (R&D) companies.

Key questions answered

• Which are the high-growth segments/cash cows and how is the market segmented in terms of applications, products, services, ingredients, technologies, and stakeholders?
• What are market estimates and forecasts; which markets are doing well and which are not?
• Where are the gaps and opportunities; what is driving the market?
• Which are the key playing fields? Which are the winning edge imperatives?
• How is the competitive outlook; who are the main players in each of the segments; what are the key selling products; what are their strategic directives, operational strengths and product pipelines? Who is doing what?
  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 
 1.1 KEY TAKE AWAYS 
 1.2 REPORT DESCRIPTION 
 1.3 MARKETS COVERED 
 1.4 STAKEHOLDERS 
 1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

2 MARKET SUMMARY 

3 MARKET OVERVIEW 
 3.1 DEFINING THE GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET 
 3.2 SEGMENT ANALYSIS OF THE GLOBAL EAP MARKET 
 3.3 GEOGRAPHCAL ANALYSIS OF THE GLOBAL EAP MARKET 
 3.4 BUSINESS PROCESSES IN THE EAP MARKET 
 3.5 EAP PROPERTIES 
 3.6 EAP MARKET PROSPECTS 
 3.7 FACTORS INFLUENCING MARKET GROWTH 
 3.8 MARKET DYNAMICS 
  3.8.1 LOW MANUFACTURING COST 
  3.8.2 LOW VOLTAGE AND SILENT OPERATION 
  3.8.3 FULL POTENTIAL YET TO BE TAPPED 
  3.8.4 FUTURE AVENUES FOR MANUFACTURERS 
  3.8.5 MARKET SUSTAINABILITY FACTORS 
 3.9 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 
 3.10 DEVELOPMENTS BY MARKET SEGMENT 
 3.11 EAP PATENT ANALYSIS 
 3.12 DRIVERS 
  3.12.1 LOW COST MATERIALS 
  3.12.2 LOW DRIVING VOLTAGE 
  3.12.3 LIGHT WEIGHT PRODUCTS 
  3.12.4 ELIMINATES PROBLEM OF RIGIDITY 
  3.12.5 WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS 
 3.13 INHIBITORS 
  3.13.1 NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH 
  3.13.2 LOW HEAT-RESISTANCE 
 3.14 OPPORTUNITIES 
  3.14.1 APPLICATION IN FULL-PAGE DISPLAYS 
  3.14.2 BETTER SURFACE CONDUCTIVITY 
  3.14.3 BIOMIMETIC APPLICATIONS 
 3.15 KEY FINDINGS 

4 TYPES OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS 
 4.1 INHERENTLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS (ICP) 
  4.1.1 DRIVERS 
   4.1.1.1 Increasing applications 
   4.1.1.2 High stress and stiffness 
   4.1.1.3 Compatible with biological systems 
   4.1.1.4 Tunable conductivity 
   4.1.1.5 Other drivers 
  4.1.2 INHIBITORS 
   4.1.2.1 Processing difficulties 
   4.1.2.2 Electromechanical efficiency 
  4.1.3 OPPORTUNITIES 
   4.1.3.1 Development of hybrid ICPs 
   4.1.3.2 Biodegradable polymers 
  4.1.4 POLYTHIOPHENES 
  4.1.5 POLYANILINES 
   4.1.5.1 Drivers 
   4.1.5.1.1 Melt and solution processable 
   4.1.5.1.2 Wide conductivity range 
   4.1.5.1.3 Blended with composite polymers 
   4.1.5.1.4 Transparent and colored products 
  4.1.6 POLYPYRROLES 
  4.1.7 POLYACETYLENES 
  4.1.8 POLYPHENYLENE VINYLENE (PPV) 
  4.1.9 POLYFLUORENE 
  4.1.10 POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE (PPS) 
  4.1.11 POLYNAPHTHALENE 
  4.1.12 DOPING TECHNOLOGIES FOR ICPS 
   4.1.12.1 Chemical doping technology 
   4.1.12.2 Electrochemical doping technology 
   4.1.12.3 Types of dopants 
  4.1.13 TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF ICPS 
   4.1.13.1 Molecular weight 
   4.1.13.2 Improvement in thermal stability 
   4.1.13.3 Alloys and blends of ICP with resins 
  4.1.14 BENEFITS OF ICPS 
   4.1.14.1 Conductivity 
   4.1.14.2 Electrochromic effect 
   4.1.14.3 Electroluminescence effect 
   4.1.14.4 Photoconductivity effect 
   4.1.14.5 Thermochromic effects 
 4.2 INHERENTLY DISSIPATIVE POLYMERS 
  4.2.1 DRIVERS & OPPORTUNITIES 
   4.2.1.1 Improved antistatic properties 
   4.2.1.2 Clean environment 
   4.2.1.3 Eliminates conductive additives 
   4.2.1.4 Improved heat resistance and stiffness 
 4.3 CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS 
  4.3.1 DRIVERS 
   4.3.1.1 Use in thermal management 
   4.3.1.2 Easy moldability 
   4.3.1.3 High reliability 
   4.3.1.4 Easy fabrication 
  4.3.2 INHIBITORS AND OPPORTUNITIES 
   4.3.2.1 Slow conductivity 
   4.3.2.2 Dimensionality restrictions 
  4.3.3 ESD/EMI COMPOUNDS 
  4.3.4 ANTISTATIC ADDITIVES 
  4.3.5 CARBON/METAL FIBERS 
  4.3.6 CARBON NANOTUBES 
  4.3.7 BLENDS OF CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS AND POWDER COATINGS 

5 APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS 
 5.1 ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODES 
 5.2 CAPACITORS 
  5.2.1 DRIVERS & INHIBITORS 
   5.2.1.1 Low equivalent series resistance 
   5.2.1.2 Increased response rate 
   5.2.1.3 No risk of bursting 
   5.2.1.4 Comparatively high cost 
 5.3 BATTERIES 
  5.3.1 DRIVERS, INHIBITORS AND OPPORTUNITIES 
   5.3.1.1 Wide choice of materials 
   5.3.1.2 Low usable capacity and energy density 
   5.3.1.3 Diverse power requirements 
  5.3.2 LITHIUM BATTERY 
  5.3.3 ALL-POLYMER BATTERY 
  5.3.4 BUTTON BATTERY 
  5.3.5 AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY 
  5.3.6 PORTABLE COMPUTER BATTERY 
 5.4 SENSORS 
  5.4.1 DRIVERS AND OPPORTUNITIES 
   5.4.1.1 Long sensor life 
   5.4.1.2 Various size and shape 
   5.4.1.3 Wide range of applications 
  5.4.2 GAS SENSORS 
  5.4.3 ODOR SENSORS 
  5.4.4 CHEMICAL SENSORS 
  5.4.5 BIOSENSORS 
 5.5 SOLAR CELLS 
  5.5.1 DRIVERS 
   5.5.1.1 Easy manufacturability 
   5.5.1.2 Cheap and clean energy production 
  5.5.2 INHIBITORS AND OPPORTUNITIES 
   5.5.2.1 Environmental sensitivity 
   5.5.2.2 Scope for higher performance 
   5.5.2.3 Scope for improved efficiency 
   5.5.2.4 Improved light absorption 
 5.6 ACTUATORS 
  5.6.1 DRIVERS 
   5.6.1.1 Low cost 
   5.6.1.2 Lighter actuators 
   5.6.1.3 Operational similarity to muscles 
  5.6.2 INHIBITORS & OPPORTUNITIES 
   5.6.2.1 Low force delivery 
   5.6.2.2 High tensile strength 
 5.7 ORGANIC/PLASTIC TRANSISTORS 
 5.8 TEXTILES AND FABRICS 
 5.9 PROTECTION AGAINST EMI 

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 

7 GEOGRAPHICA ANALYSIS 
 7.1 NORTH AMERICA 
  7.1.1 DRIVERS & OPPORTUNITIES 
   7.1.1.1 Recovery in semiconductor industry 
   7.1.1.2 Shift to new technology 
   7.1.1.3 Development of heat-resistant polymers 
 7.2 EUROPE 
  7.2.1 DRIVERS & OPPORTUNITIES 
   7.2.1.1 Development of EAP coating 
   7.2.1.2 R&D activity 
 7.3 ASIA 
 7.4 ROW 

8 PATENT ANALYSIS 

9 COMPANY PROFILES 
 9.1 3M 
 9.2 AGFA-GEVAERT S.A./NV 
 9.3 ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE, INC? 
 9.4 BASF INC 
 9.5 BAYER MATERIAL SCIENCE AG 
 9.6 CABOT CORP 
 9.7 CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL CO LLC 
 9.8 CROSSLINK POLYMER RESEARCH 
 9.9 DANFOSS A/S 
 9.10 EAMEX CORP 
 9.11 EEONYX 
 9.12 ENTHONE 
 9.13 H.C. STARCK INTERNATIONAL 
 9.14 HYPERION CATALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, INC 
 9.15 KEMET CORP 
 9.16 KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES INC 
 9.17 LUBRIZOL ADVANCED MATERIALS 
 9.18 MEDIPACS LLC 
 9.19 PANIPOL OY 
 9.20 PLEXTRONICS INC 
 9.21 POLYONE CORP 
 9.22 PREMIX OY 
 9.23 REIKE METALS INC 
 9.24 RTP CO 
 9.25 SUMITOMO CHEMICALS 
 9.26 TICONA ENGINEERING POLYMERS 
 9.27 ABTECH SCIENTIFIC INC 
 9.28 OTHERS 
 9.28.1 MARKTEK INC 
 9.28.2 AMERICAN DYE SOURCE, INC 
 
APPENDIX 
DEFINITIONS 
U.S. PATENTS 
EUROPE PATENTS 
ASIA PATENTS 
 
LIST OF TABLES

SUMMARY TABLE GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 1 GLOBAL INHERENTLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS MARKET,
BY PRODUCTS 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 2 GLOBAL INHERENTLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS MARKET,
BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 3 MAJOR ICP SUPPLIERS 
TABLE 4 GLOBAL POLYTHIPHENES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 5 GLOBAL POLYANILINES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 6 GLOBAL POLYPYRROLES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 7 GLOBAL POLYACETYLENES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 8 GLOBAL POLYPHENYLENE VINYLENE MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 9 GLOBAL POLYFLUORENE MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 10 GLOBAL POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE MARKET,  BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 11 GLOBAL POLYNAPHTHALENE MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 12 CHEMICALS USED FOR DOPING ICP 
TABLE 13 GLOBAL INHERENTLY DISSIPATIVE POLYMERS MARKET
BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 14 GLOBAL CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS MARKET, BY PRODUCTS
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 15 GLOBAL CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 16 GLOBAL ESD/EMI COMPOUNDS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 17 GLOBAL ANTISTATIC ADDITIVES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 18 GLOBAL CARBON/METAL FIBERS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 19 GLOBAL CARBON NANOTUBES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 20 SURFACE RESISTIVITY OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS 
TABLE 21 PROPERTIES OF ICP VS CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS 
TABLE 22 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS APPLICATIONS MARKET,
BY PRODUCTS  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 23 GLOBAL OLED MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 24 GLOBAL CAPACITORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 25 ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER CAPACITORS VS ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS 
TABLE 26 GLOBAL BATTERIES MARKET, BY PRODUCTS  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 27 GLOBAL BATTERIES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 28 GLOBAL LITHIUM BATTERIES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 29 GLOBAL ALL-POLYMER BATTERY MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 30 GLOBAL BUTTON BATTERY MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 31 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 32 GLOBAL PORTABLE COMPUTER BATTERY MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 33 GLOBAL SENSORS MARKET, BY PRODUCTS  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 34 GLOBAL SENSORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 35 GLOBAL GAS SENSORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 36 GLOBAL ODOR SENSORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 37 GLOBAL CHEMICAL SENSORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 38 GLOBAL BIOSENSORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 39 GLOBAL SOLAR CELLS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 40      GLOBAL ACTUATORS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY  2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 41 GLOBAL ORGANIC/PLASTIC TRANSISTOR MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 42 GLOBAL TEXTILES AND FABRICS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 43      GLOBAL ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE MARKET,
BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($ THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 44 GLOBAL ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 45 GLOBAL ANTISTATIC PACKAGING MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
2007 - 2014 ($THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 46 GLOBAL PLASTICS COATED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PAINTS MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($ THOUSANDS) 
TABLE 47 MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN THE EAP MARKET (2007 - 2009) 
TABLE 48 AGREEMENTS AND COLLABORATIONS IN THE EAP MARKET
(2007 - 2009) 
TABLE 49 NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES IN THE EAP MARKET (2007 - 2009) 
TABLE 50 R&D ACTIVITIES IN THE EAP MARKET (2007 - 2009) 
TABLE 51 EXPANSION STRATEGIES IN THE EAP MARKET (2007 - 2009) 
TABLE 52 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET,  BY GEOGRAPHY 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 53 NORTH AMERICA ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET, 
BY PRODUCTS 2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 54 EUROPE ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET,  BY PRODUCTS
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 55 ASIAN ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET, BY PRODUCTS
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
TABLE 56 ROW ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET, BY PRODUCTS
2007 - 2014 ($MILLIONS) 
 
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET DEFINITION 
FIGURE 2 PARENTAL STRUCTURE OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS 
FIGURE 3 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET REVENUES 
FIGURE 4 GEOGRAPHICAL TRENDS OF GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET 
FIGURE 5 ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS BUSINESS PROCESS 
FIGURE 6 DIFFERENT PROPERTIES OF ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS 
FIGURE 7 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET PROSPECTS 
FIGURE 8 ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET DYNAMICS 
FIGURE 9 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET DRIVING FACTORS 
FIGURE 10 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE OF THE ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS MARKET 
FIGURE 11 COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT BY MARKET SEGMENT (JANUARY 2008 - NOVEMBER 2009) 
FIGURE 12 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS PATENT TRENDS 2004 - 2008 
FIGURE 13 MAJOR COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
(JANUARY 2008 - NOVEMBER 2009) 
FIGURE 14 TRENDS IN COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
(JANUARY 2008 - NOVEMBER 2009) 
FIGURE 15 ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS PATENTS ISSUED GLOBALLY
(JANUARY 2007 - NOVEMBER 2009) 
FIGURE 16 GLOBAL ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER PATENTS  BY GEOGRAPHY (JANUARY 2004 - NOVEMBER 2009) 
FIGURE 17 PATENT ANALYSIS BY ASSIGNEE
(JANUARY 2004 - NOVEMBER 2009)