Report description

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.

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• 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?

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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 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 Drivers
      3.9.1 Low cost materials
      3.9.2 Low driving voltage
      3.9.3 Light weight products
      3.9.4 Eliminates problem of rigidity
      3.9.5 Wide range of applications
 3.10 Inhibitors
      3.10.1 Need for further research
      3.10.2 Low heat-resistance
 3.11 Opportunities
      3.11.1 Application in full-page displays
      3.11.2 Better surface conductivity
      3.11.3 Biomimetic applications
 3.12 Electroactive polymer devices
 3.13 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
 4.4 Dielectric elastomers
     4.4.1 Drivers
           4.4.1.1 Low power consumption
           4.4.1.2 High force-to-weight ratio
     4.4.2 Inhibitors
           4.4.2.1 Dielectric elastomers require high voltage
           4.4.2.2 Pre-stretching required to achieve large strain
     4.4.3 Opportunities
           4.4.3.1 Dielectric elastomers for power generation
           4.4.3.2 Improvement in reliability
     4.4.4 Silicon elastomers
     4.4.5 Acrylates
     4.4.6 Polyurethanes
 4.5 Ferroelectrets
     4.5.1 Polypropylene
     4.5.2 Polycarbonate
     4.5.3 Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)
     4.5.4 Fluorinated ethylene propylene
 
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 sizes and shapes
           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
  5.10 Protection against ESD
  5.11 Antistatic packaging
  5.12 Plastics coated with electrostatic paints
  5.13 Other applications
 
6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
  6.1 Competitive developments
 
7 GEOGRAPHIC 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 3 M (DYNEON L.L.C.)
     9.1.1 Overview
     9.1.2 Primary business
     9.1.3 Strategy
     9.1.4 Developments
 9.2 AGFA-GEVAERT S.A. NV
     9.2.1 Overview
     9.2.2 Primary business
     9.2.3 Strategy
     9.2.4 Developments
 9.3 BASF, INC.
     9.3.1 Overview
     9.3.2 Primary business
     9.3.3 Strategy
     9.3.4 Developments
 9.4 BAYER MATERIAL SCIENCE AG
     9.4.1 Overview
     9.4.2 Primary business
     9.4.3 Strategy
     9.4.4 Developments
 9.5 CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL CO. LLC.
     9.5.1 Overview
     9.5.2 Primary business
     9.5.3 Strategy
     9.5.4 Developments
 9.6 CROSSLINK
     9.6.1 Overview
     9.6.2 Primary business
     9.6.3 Strategy
     9.6.4 Developments
 9.7 DANFOSS A/S
     9.7.1 Overview
     9.7.2 Primary business
     9.7.3 Strategy
     9.7.4 Developments
 9.8 EAMEX CORP.
     9.8.1 Overview
     9.8.2 Primary business
     9.8.3 Strategy
     9.8.4 Developments
 9.9 EEONYX CORP.
     9.9.1 Overview
     9.9.2 Primary business
     9.9.3 Strategy
     9.9.4 Developments
9.10 ENTHONE, INC.
     9.10.1 Overview
     9.10.2 Primary business
     9.10.3 Strategy
     9.10.4 Developments
9.11 H.C. STARCK. INC.
     9.11.1 Overview
     9.11.2 Primary business
     9.11.3 Strategy
     9.11.4 Developments
9.12 HYPERION CATALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
     9.12.1 Overview
     9.12.2 Primary business
     9.12.3 Strategy
     9.12.4 Developments
9.13 KEMET CORP.
     9.13.1 Overview
     9.13.2 Primary business
     9.13.3 Strategy
     9.13.4 Developments
9.14 KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
     9.14.1 Overview
     9.14.2 Primary business
     9.14.3 Strategy
     9.14.4 Developments
9.15 LUBRIZOL ADVANCED MATERIALS
     9.15.1 Overview
     9.15.2 Primary business
     9.15.3 Strategy
     9.15.4 Developments
9.16 MEDIPACS LLC
     9.16.1 Overview
     9.16.2 Primary business
     9.16.3 Strategy
     9.16.4 Developments
9.17 PANIPOL OY
     9.17.1 Overview
     9.17.2 Primary business
     9.17.3 Strategy
     9.17.4 Developments
9.18 PLEXTRONICS, INC.
     9.18.1 Overview
     9.18.2 Primary business
     9.18.3 Strategy
     9.18.4 Developments
9.19 POLYONE CORP.
     9.19.1 Overview
     9.19.2 Primary business
     9.19.3 Strategy
     9.19.4 Developments
9.20 PREMIX OY
     9.20.1 Overview
     9.20.2 Primary business
     9.20.3 Strategy
     9.20.4 Developments
9.21 RIEKE METALS, INC.
     9.21.1 Overview
     9.21.2 Primary business
     9.21.3 Strategy
     9.21.4 Developments
9.22 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL C0.,LTD
     9.22.1 Overview
     9.22.2 Primary business
     9.22.3 Strategy
     9.22.4 Developments
9.23 TICONA ENGINEERING POLYMERS
     9.23.1 Overview
     9.23.2 Primary business
     9.23.3 Strategy
     9.23.4 Developments
   
APPENDIX 
 • Definitions
 • U.S. Patents
 • EUROPE Patents
 • ASIA Patents

LIST OF TABLES 

1 Global electroactive polymers market, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
2 Global electroactive polymers market, by volume, 2009 – 2014 (Million Pounds) 
3 EAP market, by devices, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
4 EAP medical devices market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
5 EAP smart fabrics market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
6 EAP digital mechtronics market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
7 EAP high strain sensor market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
8 Global inherently conductive polymers market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
9 Global inherently conductive polymers market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
10 Major ICP suppliers
11 Global polythiphenes market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
12 Global polyanilines market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
13 Global polyacetylenes market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
14 Global polyphenylene vinylene market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($ Thousand) 
15 Global polyfluorene market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
16 Global polyphenylene sulfide market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
17 Global polynaphthalene market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
18 Chemicals used for doping ICP
19 Global inherently dissipative polymers market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
20 Global conductive plastics market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
21 Global conductive plastics market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
22 Global ESD/EMI compounds market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
23 Global antistatic additives in EAP market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
24 Global carbon/metal fibers in EAP market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
25 Global carbon nanotubes market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
26 Surface resistivity of different materials
27 Properties of ICP vs conductive plastics
28 Comparison of costs of dielectric elastomers and ferroelectrets
29 Comparison of dielectric elastomer actuators vs. voice coils
30 Comparison of stretchability vs change in resistance of silicon
31 Polyurethane stretchability vs resistivity
32 Global electroactive polymers applications market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
33 Global OLED market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
34 Global capacitors in EAP market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
35 Electroactive polymer capacitors vs electrolytic capacitors
36 Global batteries market, by segment, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
37 Global batteries market, by geography 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
38 Global EAP batteries market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
39 Global primary batteries market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
40 Global rechargeable batteries market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
41 Global lithium batteries market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
42 Global button battery market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
43 Global automotive market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
44 Global EAP automotive battery market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
45 Global EAP portable computer battery market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
46 Global sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
47 Global EAP sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
48 North America sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
49 North America EAP sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
50 European sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
51 European EAP sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
52 Asian sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
53 Asian EAP sensors market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
54 Global solar cells market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
55 Global actuators market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
56 Global organic/plastic transistor market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
57 Global EAP textiles and fabrics market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
58 Global electromagnetic interference market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand)
59 Global electrostatic discharge market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Thousand) 
60 Mergers and acquisitions in the EAP market, 2007 – 2009
61 Agreements and collaborations in the EAP market, 2007 – 2009 
62 New product launches in the EAP market, 2007 – 2009
63 Expansion strategies in the EAP market, 2007 – 2009
64 Research and development, 2007 – 2009
65 Global electroactive polymers market, by geography, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
66 North American electroactive polymers market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Million)
67 European electroactive polymers market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
68 Asian electroactive polymers market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 
69 RoW electroactive polymers market, by products, 2009 – 2014 ($Million) 

LIST OF FIGURES 

1 Global electroactive polymers market definition
2 Parental structure of the global EAP market
3 Global electroactive polymers market revenues
4 Geographical trends in the global EAP market
5 Business process in the EAP industry
6 Properties of electroactive polymers
7 Prospects of the global EAP market
8 Factors influencing EAP market growth
9 Electroactive polymer market dynamics
10 Global antistatic additives in market, by consumption
11 Competitive landscape for dielectric elastomers and ferroelectrets
12 Opportunity matrix
13 Competitive landscape of the EAP polymers market
14 Competitive developments in the EAP market, (January 2008 – November 2009) 
15 Competitive developments, by market segment, (January 2008 – November 2009) 
16 Competitive trends in the EAP market,  (January 2008 – November 2009) 
17 Electroactive polymers patents issued globally, (January 2007 – November 2009) 
18 Electroactive polymer patents, by geography, (January 2004 – November 2009) 
19 Global electroactive polymers patent trends, 2004 – 2008
20 Electroactive polymer patents, by assignee, (January 2004 – November 2009) 
21 Geography-wise patent analysis
22 Global patent trends, 2004 – 2009

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.