Optical Coatings Industry: the Picture Looks Bright
Driven by demand in the nanotechnology, display and biotechnology sectors, the optical coatings industry is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2012, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Titled “Optical Coatings: A Global Strategic Business Report,” the publication notes that coatings will be in demand for use in flat panel displays, laser optics, camera lenses, computer and television screens, and in the medical and transportation industries.
The report states that the US is the largest market for optical coatings worldwide, with an estimated worth of $2.81 billion in 2008, and that the US and Asia together make up 86 percent of the global optical coatings market, followed by Europe. Sales of transmissive or antireflection coatings, the largest coatings segment, are projected to reach about $3 billion in 2008. The global market for reflective coatings is predicted to rise to $699 million by 2012.