| Dec 02, 2013 |
Nanofibers for biomedical and healthcare applications
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(Nanowerk News) Nanofibers are an important and versatile class of one-dimensional nanomaterials that has attracted increasing attention in the recent years. Nanofibers especially made of biocompatible or biodegradable materials show great potential in biomedical and healthcare sector due to their unique combination of properties and intrinsic functionalities. High surface area and porosity associated with nanofibers that enhance adhesion of cells as well as various proteins and drug molecules are the key attributes, which make them superior to their micro and macro counterparts composed of same materials.
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This techno-commercial report discusses various applications of nanofibers in biomedical and healthcare sector and provide them as advanced and potential solutions to the current challenges facing in this rapidly expanding field. Industrial developments in manufacturing technology by employing various proprietary processes based on electrospinning, solution & melt spinning and melt-blowing methods have provided the much-needed momentum for realizing the commercial potential of nanofibers. Major class of nanofibers used in various biomedical and healthcare applications are prepared from various natural and synthetic polymers as well as from their composites with inorganic materials. Ceramic/inorganic nanofibers and carbon nanofibers are also increasingly being used. Important biomedical applications of nanofibers include filtration, medical textiles, wound healing, tissue engineering & regeneration, biosensors and drug delivery.
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This report analyses the nanofiber-enabled global biomedical market size in terms of material types, biomedical applications and geographical regions. The report also discusses the key drivers, challenges and opportunities for nanofibers in biomedical industry. Nanofiber industry is a global enterprise serving niche market applications. The global demand of nanofibers in biomedical industry reached 30 metric tons per annum in 2012. The global nanofiber-enabled biomedical market was valued at US$ 24 million in 2012 and is further expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36.8% during 2013-2018 to reach US$ 155.2 million by 2018. North America tops the list with a share of 50% in global nanofiber-enabled biomedical markets, followed by Europe (37%), Asia-Pacific (12%) and RoW (1%).
Polymer nanofibers constitute the largest share of total nanofibers market in terms of materials. The largest market share of nanofibers for biomedical applications is accounted for by filtration followed by medical textiles, wound healing, tissue engineering etc. In the next five years, the consumption is expected to post a considerable growth due to their unique combination of desirable properties, high compatibility with nonwovens and ready availability of biodegradable nanofibers over the conventional fibers. The US is the world leader in research and development in this area followed by Asian countries like China and South Korea.
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| Report table of contents
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Global nanofiber industry landscape is dotted with numerous start-up companies as well as large corporations. Most of the nanofiber manufacturers are large corporations and some of them have captive uses for their production. Majority of the application developers are however small start-up companies, which either are spin-offs from universities or armed with technologies licensed from universities. This market is still in very nascent stage and therefore ample opportunities exist for the entry of new players across the globe.
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Contact CKMNT for further details and orders: E-mail: [email protected], Website: Centre for Knowledge Management of Nanoscience and Technology.
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