NanoKTN’s NanoFinance event confirms interest in the market continues to rise

Citation

(2009), "NanoKTN’s NanoFinance event confirms interest in the market continues to rise", Sensor Review, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2009.08729bab.002

NanoKTN’s NanoFinance event confirms interest in the market continues to rise

Article Type: News From: Sensor Review, Volume 29, Issue 2

Nanotechnology experts meet to discuss the future of nanotechnology and its place in society

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), has held its first UK NanoFinance event at the Institute of Directors in London. The one-day seminar and exhibition addressed the current nanotechnology business climate which confirmed the importance of nanotechnology in society today, and suggested that by the year 2015, $3.1 trillion worth of products will be using nanotechnology in some way across the globe.

NanoFinance discussed the importance of nanotechnology and it was noted that as of 2007, $147 billion worth of products make use of nanotechnology in some way. Industry analysts Lux Research predicted that by the year 2015, $3.1 trillion worth of products will be using nanotechnology across the value chain which is comprised of nanomaterials, nanointermediates and nano-enabled final products. This, combined with the increase in investment prior to 2007, demonstrates the long term potential of nanotechnology, however in 2007, it appears that some consolidation of the market has appeared with the number and value of global nanotechnology deals falling for the first time, indicating that the very first pioneering nano-companies have struggled to find good business models to grow.

On the optimistic side, 2007 has seen an increase in diversification and maturity in the applications of nanotechnology. For the first time in the nanotechnology market, Energy and Environment became the area with most investment support, superseding Healthcare and Life Sciences, which previously had always come out on top. The Energy and Environment sector took over 50 per cent of all deals and investments, despite it having a return on investment considerably less than most other sectors reflecting the general trend towards investment of green technologies.

Michael Holman, Research Director at Lux Research, delivered the opening presentation at NanoFinance, entitled State of the Market in 2008. Holman’s presentation looked at the sceptic mood surrounding the nanotechnology market and set out to prove it is both unnecessary and unjustified.

“Because some early overhyped technologies and companies have disappointed, there’s been a nano-backlash among some investors and technologist. The cynicism however, is not justified, given nanotechnology’s strong fundamentals. Investments in nanotechnology continue to grow, particularly from large corporations, and the value of products containing nanotech innovation grew to $147 billion in 2008. However, nanotech’s impact has been broad and diverse, rather than concentrated in a few blockbuster products, meaning that companies and investors need to choose their efforts carefully to profit,” explains Michael Holman.

Established by the Technology Strategy Board, the NanoKTN is managed by Centre for Process Innovation Ltd, a leading technology development and consulting company.