Nanotechnology in construction
Nanomaterials are particularly suited to protecting the surface of various construction materials such as glass, concrete, sand limestone or marble from environmental influences like water staining, moss, algae as well as soot and oil stains; and can also function as corrosion inhibitors for reinforced steel. Nano additive paints and surface coatings are commercially available that create a low energy facing thus rendering a building surface highly hydro- and oleophobic, thereby helping to prolong maintenance cycles and reduce cleaning.
Nanotechnology in construction paints and coatings
Dirt repellent protective paints and photocatalytic coatings are the most prominent applications in the construction and exterior protection industry. Dirt collection (accumulation) in building exteriors poses considerable problems for building maintenance. Cleaning such building surfaces is generally done by using detergents accompanied with scrubbing, wiping and high-pressure water jets. These processes have several shortcomings such as use of chemical detergents, high consumption of energy and labour cost. These naturally lead to high maintenance cost; therefore, an effective self-cleaning coating is desirable.
Nanoparticle TiO2 self-cleaning coating technology is applicable for use on surfaces. Such coatings greatly benefit building maintenance, especially for skyscrapers, as they reduce the need for costly surface cleaning.
There is a need to create high strength and strain concrete and cement products by using new composite materials with superior properties to existing materials. The emergence of nanotechnology applications in concrete and cement is relatively recent and most developments are still in the early commercialization process.
Nanotechnology in cement
The global concrete and cement market was valued US$457.2 billion in 2011. Cement is one of the most important building materials, and world production has increased significantly in recent years especially in developing countries. As the scale of structures created with concrete has increased dramatically, the need for advanced materials has too. There is also a need to create high strength and strain concrete and cement products by using new composite materials with superior properties to existing materials. The emergence of nanotechnology applications in concrete and cement is relatively recent and most developments are still in the early commercialization process.
Nanomaterials affect cement and concrete in different ways including their processing conditions, released CO2 emissions, service life and functionalities. Addition of nanoparticles is leading to stronger, more durable, self-healing, air purifying, fire resistant, easy to clean and quick compacting concrete. Nanomaterials currently being developed are nano silica (silica fume), nano Alumina (Al2O3), nanostructured metals, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Concrete structures are also benefitting from nano-enhanced coatings that prevent graffiti and other unwanted stains form adhering to it. Photocatalytic nano-enhanced cement has found application in the construction sector, on a relatively limited scale. The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst in concrete pavements has received considerable attention in recent years due to its ability to decontaminate via photocatalytic processes.
Insulation
There are a number of nano-based thermal insulation materials commercially available including aerogels, nanoparticle additive vacuum insulation panels and thermal insulation nanocoatings.
Smart windows
Compared with current static windows, smart windows can dynamically modulate the transmittance of solar irradiation based on weather conditions and personal preferences, thus simultaneously improving building energy efficiency and indoor human comfort and privacy. Although some smart windows are commercially available, and there has been significant investment in the past few years, their widespread implementation has not yet been realized.
Advances in nanomaterials have led to new opportunities for next-generation smart window technology, allowing for enhanced coloration efficiency, faster switching kinetics, and longer lifetime. In addition, their compatibility with solution processing enables low-cost and high-throughput fabrication.
Published January 2017 | 79 pages | Download table of contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………. 10
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY………………………………………………… 11
2.1 COMMERCIAL IMPACT RATING SYSTEM…………………………………………………………………… 11
2.2 MARKET CHALLENGES RATING SYSTEM…………………………………………………………………. 12
3 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………. 15
3.1 Properties of nanomaterials……………………………………………………………………………………………. 15
3.2 Categorization………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
4 NANOMATERIALS REGULATIONS………………………………………… 18
4.1 Europe……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
4.1.1 REACH…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19
4.1.2 Biocidal Products Regulation…………………………………………………………………………………. 19
4.1.3 National nanomaterials registers……………………………………………………………………………. 20
4.1.4 Cosmetics regulation……………………………………………………………………………………………… 21
4.1.5 Food safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
4.2 United States………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
4.2.1 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)……………………………………………………………………. 22
4.3 Asia………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
4.3.1 Japan……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
4.3.2 South Korea…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
4.3.3 Taiwan……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
4.3.4 Australia…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 24
5 THE MARKET FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION, BUILDING PROTECTION AND EXTERIOR COATINGS…………………. 26
5.1 MARKET DRIVERS AND TRENDS……………………………………………………………………………….. 26
5.1.1 Regulatory……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26
5.1.2 Problems with conventional coatings……………………………………………………………………… 26
5.1.3 Long-term maintenance with reduced cleaning cycles…………………………………………… 26
5.1.4 Need for improved insulation………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
5.1.5 Increased durability and cleanability of exterior and interior surfaces…………………….. 27
5.1.6 Need for advanced materials in the construction industry………………………………………. 27
5.2 INSULATION AND HEATING………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
5.2.1 PRODUCT DEVELOPERS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 28-31 (8 company profiles)
5.3 EXTERIOR COATINGS (PROTECTIVE, WOOD AND GLASS)…………………………………….. 32
5.3.1 PRODUCT DEVELOPERS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 33-54 (50 company profiles)
5.4 SMART WINDOWS………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 54
5.4.1 Thermochromic………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 55
5.4.2 Electrochromic……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 55
5.4.3 PRODUCT DEVELOPERS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 56-58 (5 company profiles)
5.5 VOC MITIGATION AND INDOOR AIR FILTRATION……………………………………………………… 59
5.5.1 PRODUCT DEVELOPERS…………………………………………………………………………………….. 59-63 (9 company profiles)
5.6 CEMENT AND CONCRETE…………………………………………………………………………………………… 64-68 (8 company profiles)
6 MARKET SIZE AND OPPORTUNITY……………………………………….. 70
6.1 Concrete and cement……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 70
6.2 Exterior coatings…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70
6.3 Smart windows……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 71
6.4 Insulation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 72
6.5 Nanotechnology opportunity…………………………………………………………………………………………… 72
7 MARKET CHALLENGES………………………………………………………… 76
7.1 Agglomeration………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
7.2 Cost………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
8 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………. 78
TABLES
Table 1: Categorization of nanomaterials……………………………………………………………………………………. 17
Table 2: National nanomaterials registries in Europe…………………………………………………………………. 20
Table 3: Nanomaterials regulatory bodies in Australia……………………………………………………………….. 24
Table 4: Applications in insulation and heating, by nanomaterials type and benefits thereof……… 28
Table 5: Applications in exterior coatings by nanomaterials type and benefits thereof……………….. 32
Table 6: Applications in smart windows by nanomaterials type and benefits thereof………………….. 55
Table 7: Applications in VOC mitigation and filtration by nanomaterials type and benefits thereof. 59
Table 8: Applications in cement and concrete by nanomaterials type and benefits thereof………… 64
Table 9: Nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the construction, building protection and exterior coatings market-applications, stage of commercialization and estimated economic impact…. 72
Table 10: Market opportunity assessment for nanotechnology in construction, building protection and architectural exterior coatings………………………………………………………………………………………… 73
Table 11: Potential addressable market for nantoechnology-enabled applications in construction, building protection and architectural exterior coatings………………………………………………………….. 74
Table 12: Market challenges rating for nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the construction, building protection and architectural exterior coatings market………………………………………………. 77
FIGURES
Figure 1: Tokyo Station GranRoof. The titanium dioxide coating ensures long-lasting whiteness. 71
Figure 2: Potential addressable market for nanotechnology-enabled applications in construction, building protection and architectural exterior coatings………………………………………………………….. 75
