Although the nascent commercial market for graphene-based products currently is very small, between 2015 and 2025 the market reportedly should achieve unprecedented growth rates through technological advancements, according to a recent report from BCC Research. According to the report, increasing patent activity suggests technology trends are under way, ripening the market for explosive future growth.

Potential electronics applications of graphene reportedly include ultra-small transistors, super-dense data storage, touchscreens and wearable electronics. In the energy field, potential applications include ultracapacitors to store and transmit electrical power, as well as highly efficient solar cells. A commercially significant market for graphene products reportedly may develop between 2015-2020, when the market is projected to be worth more than $310.4 million. The graphene market should continue to grow rapidly after 2020, approaching $2 billion by 2025. 

Graphene printed electronics currently account for virtually all of the (very small) commercial market for graphene technologies. By 2020, structural materials should lead the market, accounting for 23.2% of the market share, followed by displays (16.9% market share), graphene capacitors (16.9% market share) and high-performance computing applications (10.5% market share). Capacitors are projected to account for the largest share, at 31.6% of the market for graphene technologies by 2025. 

One challenge related to chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for the production of graphene is removing the graphene film from the metal substrate without contaminating or ruining it. Several groups of researchers are working on solutions to this challenge. One of the most promising potential applications foreseen for this technology is the production of transparent electrodes for electronics screens. 

In a field where many products and applications are still under development, an analysis of recent granted patents is a useful indicator of technology trends that will affect the graphene market in the mid-to-long term. 

“The number of U.S. patents granted for graphene-related inventions has been growing over the last 10 years, from four patents in 2005 to 309 in 2014 and 386 in just the first 10 months of 2015,” said Andrew McWilliams, research analyst. “Among the 355 patents issued for graphene applications, structural materials account for the largest number of patents identified. This trend is a clear indication of the growing interest in graphene.”

For more information, visit www.bccresearch.com.