Global direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) market is expected to grow from 14,200 unit shipments in 2011 to 92,000 unit shipments by the year 2016 at an estimated CAGR of 45.3% for the same period. Asia is expected to lead the market with 38% share; followed by North America (35%), and Europe (27%) in terms of unit shipments by the year 2016. DMFC revenue is expected to reach $109 million by the year 2016 from $17.5 million in the year 2010.

The report “Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) Technical Insights & Market Opportunities” discusses the cost structure, investments, volume break down, and policies and regulations. Some geographic markets which are pioneers in fuel cell manufacturing and research activities such as U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, Japan, and South Korea are analyzed in detail. The report also discusses about applications of direct methanol fuel cells like portable (cell phones, laptops), stationary power units, and transportation (DMFC powered vehicles).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
1 INTRODUCTION
  1.1 KEY TAKE-AWAYS
  1.2 REPORT DESCRIPTION
  1.3 MARKETS COVERED
  1.4 STAKEHOLDERS
  1.5 KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
  1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
      1.6.1 MARKET SIZE
      1.6.2 DATA FROM SECONDARY SOURCES
      1.6.3 DATA FROM PRIMARY SOURCES
      1.6.4 ASSUMPTIONS
 
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 
3 MARKET OVERVIEW
  3.1 INTRODUCTION
  3.2 BURNING ISSUES
      3.2.1 DEVELOPMENT OF LOW COST MEMBRANE
      3.2.2 METHANOL CARTRIDGES: PACKAGING
      3.2.3 LOW DURABILITY
  3.3 MARKET DYNAMICS
      3.3.1 DRIVERS
            3.3.1.1 Higher energy density than batteries
            3.3.1.2 Increasing investments
            3.3.1.3 Easy transportation & storage of methanol fuel
            3.3.1.4 More reliable than internal combustion engines
      3.3.2 RESTRAINTS
            3.3.2.1 High cost of catalyst
            3.3.2.2 Technical limitations
            3.3.2.3 Need of a fuel distribution infrastructure network
      3.3.3 OPPORTUNITIES
            3.3.3.1 Utilization of inexpensive materials as catalyst
            3.3.3.2 Increasing Adoption in portable applications
  3.4 IMPACT OF MARKET DYNAMICS
  3.5 WINNING IMPERATIVES
      3.5.1 COLLABORATIONS/PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESEARCH
      3.5.2 PRODUCTS DESIGNED FOR MILITARY APPLICATIONS
  3.6 PORTER’S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
      3.6.1 ENTRY BARRIERS
      3.6.2 THREAT OF SUPPLIERS
      3.6.3 THREAT OF BUYERS
      3.6.4 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES
      3.6.5 DEGREE OF COMPETITION
  3.7 GLOBAL FUEL CELL MARKET OVERVIEW
  3.8 BATTERY VS DMFC
  3.9 PATENT ANALYSIS
 
4 DMFC, BY COMPONENTS & COSTS
  4.1 INTRODUCTION
  4.2 DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL
  4.3 MICRO DMFC: FOR LOW POWER NEEDS
  4.4 MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY
      4.4.1 DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL MEMBRANES
            4.4.1.1 Requirements of DMFC membranes
            4.4.1.2 Classification of membranes
                    4.4.1.2.1 Nafion membranes (Dupont)
                    4.4.1.2.2 Non-Nafion fluorinated membranes
                              4.4.1.2.2.1 Dow Chemical XUS membranes
                              4.4.1.2.2.2 3P Energy membranes
                    4.4.1.2.3 Composite fluorinated membranes
                              4.4.1.2.3.1 Organic-inorganic composite membranes
                              4.4.1.2.3.2 Acid-base composite membranes
                              4.4.1.2.3.3 Pall Ion Clad membranes
                    4.4.1.2.4 Non-fluorinated membranes
                              4.4.1.2.4.1 Organic-inorganic composite membranes
                              4.4.1.2.4.2 Acid-base membranes
                              4.4.1.2.4.3 Acid-base composite membranes
                    4.4.1.2.5 Other prospective membranes
                              4.4.1.2.5.1 Ballard membranes
                              4.4.1.2.5.2 Fluorocarbon membranes
                              4.4.1.2.5.3 Resin modified polystyrene sulfonate membranes
            4.4.1.3 Comparison of various membranes
                    4.4.1.3.1 Modification of Nafion membranes
                    4.4.1.3.2 Commercial polymer electrolyte membranes for DMFC
      4.4.2 CATALYST LAYER
            4.4.2.1 Catalysts at cathode
                    4.4.2.1.1 Platinum-based alloys
                    4.4.2.1.2 Carbon-Iron-Cobalt
                              4.4.2.1.3 Polymer dipped Carbon Nano Tubes
            4.4.2.2 Catalysts at anode
            4.4.2.3 Nanotubes, Nanowires, Nanofibres as support for catalysts – overview
      4.4.3 GAS DIFFUSION LAYERS
      4.4.4 BIPOLAR PLATES
  4.5 DMFC COST ANALYSIS
      4.5.1 DMFC SYSTEM
      4.5.2 METHANOL
      4.5.3 PLATINUM
      4.5.4 RUTHENIUM
 
5 DMFC MARKET, BY APPLICATIONS
  5.1 INTRODUCTION
  5.2 PORTABLE APPLICATIONS
  5.3 STATIONARY APPLICATIONS
  5.4 TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS
 
6 DMFC MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
  6.1 INTRODUCTION
  6.2 NORTH AMERICA
      6.2.1 CANADA
      6.2.2 U.S.
  6.3 EUROPE
      6.3.1 GERMANY
      6.3.2 UK
  6.4 ASIA
      6.4.1 JAPAN
      6.4.2 SOUTH KOREA
 
7 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
 
8 COMPANY PROFILES
  8.1 ANTIG TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
      8.1.1 OVERVIEW
      8.1.2 FINANCIALS
      8.1.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.1.4 STRATEGY
      8.1.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.2 CMR FUEL CELLS PLC
      8.2.1 OVERVIEW
      8.2.2 FINANCIALS
      8.2.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.2.4 STRATEGY
      8.2.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.3 VIASPACE INC
      8.3.1 OVERVIEW
      8.3.2 FINANCIALS
      8.3.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.3.4 STRATEGY
      8.3.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.4 DUPONT FUEL CELL
      8.4.1 OVERVIEW
      8.4.2 FINANCIALS
      8.4.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.4.4 STRATEGY
      8.4.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.5 FUJIKURA LTD
      8.5.1 OVERVIEW
      8.5.2 FINANCIALS
      8.5.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.5.4 STRATEGY
      8.5.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.6 HITACHI LTD
      8.6.1 OVERVIEW
      8.6.2 FINANCIALS
      8.6.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.6.4 STRATEGY
      8.6.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.7 IDATECH LLC
      8.7.1 OVERVIEW
      8.7.2 FINANCIALS
      8.7.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.7.4 STRATEGY
      8.7.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.8 MTI MICRO FUEL CELLS INC
      8.8.1 OVERVIEW
      8.8.2 FINANCIALS
      8.8.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.8.4 STRATEGY
      8.8.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.9 NEAH POWER SYSTEMS INC
      8.9.1 OVERVIEW
      8.9.2 FINANCIALS
      8.9.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.9.4 STRATEGY
      8.9.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.10 OORJA PROTONICS INC
      8.10.1 OVERVIEW
      8.10.2 FINANCIALS
      8.10.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.10.4 STRATEGY
      8.10.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.11 PANASONIC CORP
      8.11.1 OVERVIEW
      8.11.2 FINANCIALS
      8.11.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.11.4 STRATEGY
      8.11.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.12 POLYFUEL INC
      8.12.1 OVERVIEW
      8.12.2 FINANCIALS
      8.12.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.12.4 STRATEGY
      8.12.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.13 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
      8.13.1 OVERVIEW
      8.13.2 FINANCIALS
      8.13.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.13.4 STRATEGY
      8.13.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.14 SFC ENERGY AG
      8.14.1 OVERVIEW
      8.14.2 FINANCIALS
      8.14.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.14.4 STRATEGY
      8.14.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.15 SHARP CORP
      8.15.1 OVERVIEW
      8.15.2 FINANCIALS
      8.15.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.15.4 STRATEGY
      8.15.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.16 SYMPOWERCO CORP
      8.16.1 OVERVIEW
      8.16.2 FINANCIALS
      8.16.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.16.4 STRATEGY
      8.16.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.17 TOSHIBA CORP
      8.17.1 OVERVIEW
      8.17.2 FINANCIALS
      8.17.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.17.4 STRATEGY
      8.17.5 DEVELOPMENTS
  8.18 ULTRACELL CORP
      8.18.1 OVERVIEW
      8.18.2 FINANCIALS
      8.18.3 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
      8.18.4 STRATEGY
      8.18.5 DEVELOPMENTS
 
APPENDIX 
  U.S. PATENTS
  EUROPE PATENTS
  JAPAN PATENTS 
  
LIST OFTABLES  
 
TABLE 1  GLOBAL DMFC MARKET – OVERVIEW, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 2  FUEL CELL OPERATING PARAMETERS
TABLE 3  ENERGY DENSITY OF BATTERIES
TABLE 4  INVESTMENT BY COUNTRIES, 2000 – 2009
TABLE 5  POWER REQUIREMENTS OF PORTABLE ACCESSORIES
TABLE 6  IMPACT OF DRIVERS & RESTRAINTS, 2011 – 2016
TABLE 7  GLOBAL FUEL CELL UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 8  GLOBAL FUEL CELL UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016 (MW)
TABLE 9  GLOBAL FUEL CELL MARKET REVENUE, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016 ($MILLION)
TABLE 10 BATTERY CHARACTERISTICS, BY TYPES
TABLE 11 DMFC PATENTS, BY FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY, 2008 – 2010
TABLE 12 DMFC PATENTS, BY COMPONENTS, 2006 – 2010
TABLE 13 DMFC PATENTS, BY COMPANIES, 2006 – 2010
TABLE 14 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON MEMBRANE CHARACTERISTICS
TABLE 15 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON METHANOL CROSSOVER OF MODIFIED NAFION MEMBRANES
TABLE 16 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON CURRENT DENSITY OF MODIFIED NAFION MEMBRANES
TABLE 17 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON IONIC CONDUCTIVITY OF NAFION MEMBRANE
TABLE 18 DMFC: COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MEMBRANES
TABLE 19 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON DMFC SYSTEM (FOR 2 WATTS POWER CAPACITY)
TABLE 20 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON DMFC SYSTEM (FOR 25 WATTS POWER CAPACITY)
TABLE 21 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON DMFC PROTOTYPE SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE 22 TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ON METHANOL SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE 23 METHANOL PRICES, BY GEOGRAPHY ($/MT)
TABLE 24 GLOBAL METHANOL DEMAND, BY END-USE, 2009 – 2016 (THOUSAND TONS)
TABLE 25 METHANOL DEMAND, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 (THOUSAND TONS)
TABLE 26 METHANOL DEMAND, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 ($MILLION)
TABLE 27 PLATINUM SUPPLY, BY MAJOR REGIONS, 2009 – 2016 (THOUSAND OZ) TABLE 28 PLATINUM DEMAND, BY END-USE, 2009 – 2016 (THOUSAND OZ)
TABLE 29 MAJOR COMPONENTS PRODUCERS
TABLE 30 GLOBAL DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 31 GLOBAL DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 32 GLOBAL DMFC REVENUE, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 33 GLOBAL PORTABLE DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 34 GLOBAL PORTABLE DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 35 GLOBAL PORTABLE DMFC REVENUE, BY TYPES, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 36 PORTABLE DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 37 PORTABLE DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 38 PORTABLE DMFC REVENUE, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 39 STATIONARY DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 40 STATIONARY DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 41 STATIONARY DMFC REVENUE, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 42 TRANSPORTATION DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 
TABLE 43 TRANSPORTATION DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 (KW) 
TABLE 44 TRANSPORTATION DMFC REVENUE, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 45 DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 46 DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 47 DMFC REVENUE, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 48 NORTH AMERICA: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 
TABLE 49 NORTH AMERICA: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 (KW) 
TABLE 50 NORTH AMERICA: DMFC REVENUE, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 ($’THOUSAND)
TABLE 51 ARRA FUEL CELL FUNDING, BY COMPANIES, 2009 – 2010 ($MILLION)
TABLE 52 EUROPE: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 53 EUROPE: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 54 EUROPE: DMFC REVENUE, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 55 ASIA: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016
TABLE 56 ASIA: DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 (KW)
TABLE 57 ASIA: DMFC REVENUE, BY APPLICATIONS, 2009 – 2016 ($THOUSAND)
TABLE 58 SECTORAL REPRESENTATION OF DMFC COMPONENTS, BY COMPANIES
TABLE 59 NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH/DEVELOPMENT (FEBRUARY 2008-MAY 2011)
TABLE 60 AGREEMENTS & COLLABORATIONS (FEBRUARY 2008-MAY 2011)
TABLE 61 R&D, APPROVALS & OTHERS (FEBRUARY 2008-JANUARY 2011)
TABLE 62 GOVERNMENT FUNDING (FEBRUARY 2009 – MAY 2010)
TABLE 63 MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS, PRODUCTION EXPANSION & GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION 
  
LIST OF FIGURES  
  
FIGURE 1  GLOBAL DMFC MARKET, 2009 – 2016 (UNIT SHIPMENT)
FIGURE 2  PORTER’S FIVE FORCE ANALYSIS
FIGURE 3  DMFC PATENT SHARE, BY TYPES OF FUEL CELLS, 2008 – 2010
FIGURE 4  DMFC PATENT SHARE, BY COUNTRIES, 2006 – 2010
FIGURE 5  DMFC PATENTS REGISTERED, BY COUNTRIES, 2006 – 2010
FIGURE 6  DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELL
FIGURE 7  MEMBRANE ELECTROLYTE ASSEMBLY
FIGURE 8  CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBRANES
FIGURE 9  DMFC 2 WATTS SYSTEM COST ANALYSIS
FIGURE 10 DMFC 25 WATTS SYSTEM COST ANALYSIS
FIGURE 11 VOLUME BREAKDOWN OF DMFC SYSTEM
FIGURE 12 METHANOL PRICES, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2009 – 2011
FIGURE 13 PLATINUM PRICES (JUNE 2009 – JUNE 2011)
FIGURE 14 RUTHENIUM PRICES (JUNE 2009 – J UNE 2011)
FIGURE 15 GLOBAL DMFC MARKET SHARE, BY APPLICATIONS, 2011 VS 2016
FIGURE 16 DMFC UNIT SHIPMENTS, BY EQUIPMENT, 2010
FIGURE 17 DMFC MARKET SHARE, BY GEOGRAPHY, 2011 VS 2016
FIGURE 18 DEVELOPMENTS, BY COMPANIES
FIGURE 19 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Portable applications of DMFC are expected to gain the largest share in unit shipments by the year 2016

Direct methanol fuel cells are subset of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells that work on the principle of electrochemical energy conversion system. These fuel cells utilize methanol as fuel, which offers benefits of cold start and easy transferability. Direct methanol fuel cells find their major applications in portable electronic goods, auxiliary power units, and battery operated vehicles. The suitability of DMFC for low power requirement needs make them potentially replaceable of conventional batteries. It is estimated that portable applications of DMFC will have largest share (81%) followed by stationary applications (14%), and transportation applications (5%) in terms of unit shipments.

Global direct methanol fuel cell unit shipments are expected to grow from 4,975 unit shipments in 2011 to 92,000 units in 2016 at an estimated CAGR of 45.3% for the same period. Asian region is expected to have the largest share in DMFC unit shipments (38%); followed by North America (35%), and Europe (27%) due to extensive research and development activities executed by Asian companies. Major countries involved in fuel cell research are Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, UK, and the U.S.

The major drivers of DMFC are higher energy density than other conventional batteries, government funding, and more reliability than internal combustion engines. The most widely used membrane in DMFC is Nafion membrane developed by DuPont and catalysts/electrodes account for almost 25% of the cost of DMFC with platinum and platinum-based alloys are among widely used catalysts.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Market is facing challenges in developing low cost and efficient proton exchange membrane and development of methanol cartridge supply and distribution infrastructure. Technical limitations such as low durability, water and methanol crossover through membrane, and moderate thermal stability of membranes are some issues which are being continuously worked upon to improve cell performance and speed up DMFC commercialization. High cost of DMFC associated with use of platinum as catalyst is also likely to get replaced with Carbon-Iron-Cobalt and polymer dipped carbon nanotube in the coming years which is also a big opportunity for DMFC manufacturers.

Industry players are observed to collaborate with other fuel cell research institutions and component providers to speed up the commercialization.

The major players in the industry include DuPont, Smart Fuel Cells AG, Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Corporation, Toshiba, PolyFuel Inc, Neah Power, Quantum Sphere Inc., Oorja Protonics, and Ida Tech. The research institutes involved in the development of fuel cells include National Fuel Cell Research Center (California, U.S.), National Research Council (Canada), Cornell Fuel Cell Institute (New York, U.S.), and Korea Institute of Energy Research.