Nanotechnology for Photonics: Global Markets

The global market for nanophotonic devices is projected to grow from more than $1.8 billion in 2010 and nearly $2.5 billion in 2011 to $10.9 billion in 2016, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.8% between 2011 and 2016. Nanophotonic light-emitting diodes accounted for more than 97% of the nanophotonics market in 2010. This particular segment reached nearly $2.4 billion in 2011 and will further grow to $9.9 billion by 2016, a CAGR of 32.7%. Near-field optics accounted for most of the remaining market. This segment was around $50 million in 2010, and nearly $53 million in 2011. BCC expects this market to increase to $59 million by 2016 at a CAGR of 2.3%.

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

STUDY BACKGROUND

Nanophotonics technologies play an increasingly important role in various sectors of the global economy. However, various technical, marketing and other hurdles need to be overcome before nanophotonics can realize their full potential.

Most analyses of the nanophotonics market focus on the development of new nanophotonics technologies and applications, rather than quantifying the potential market for these technologies. These analyses have made valuable contributions to raising investors’ awareness of and interest in nanophotonics.

However, these analyses by themselves do not provide sufficient information to guide corporate or individual investment decisions. Investors require additional information, such as the size of specific nanophotonics markets, prices, competition, and potential regulation, as provided in this report.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This report is an update of an earlier BCC Research report, published in 2006. Its goal is to provide investors and others with the latest information on the commercial potential of various nanophotonics technologies and to complement the growing body of technical information. Specific objectives include identifying segments of the nanophotonics market with the greatest commercial potential in the near to mid-term (2011-2016), projecting future demand in these segments and evaluating the challenges that must be overcome for each segment to realize its potential in order to estimate the probability of successful commercialization.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This report is intended especially for entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists and other readers who need to know where the nanophotonics market is headed in the next five years. Other readers who should find the report particularly valuable include nanotechnology marketing executives and government officials associated with the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative and other government programs to promote the development of the nanotechnology industry. The report’s findings and conclusions should also be of interest to the broader nanotechnology community.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

The study addresses the global market for nanophotonics devices. Nanophotonic devices are defined as devices that interact with light at the nanoscale level. (“Nanoscale” is defined as having at least one dimension measuring less than 100 nanometers, or billionths of a meter.)

As defined above, nanophotonics are closely related to nano-optoelectronics. Many photonic devices, such as diodes, are also commonly classified as optoelectronic devices. This study does not exclude any application that meets the basic definition of a photonic device, even if it is also classifiable as an optoelectronic device.