#future materials

The Future of Materials summit in Luxembourg took place on 13th-14th November 2017 and examined how 3D printing, robotics, more customisation and high-performance computing will shape the future of manufacturing. But nothing will impact how things are made, and what they are capable of, more than the materials manufacturers use.

Advancements in material science are at a turning point. From programmable matter to smart polymers and self-healing concrete, the application of new materials could unlock new avenues for traditional industries to take off and possibly solve some of the greatest challenges facing our planet. But human beings are still inefficient at turning raw materials into useful ones, and useful ones in products. The road from discovery to production is long and strewn with pitfalls. 

You can watch highlight videos from the summit below:

The Battery Materials Market is entering an era of "Material Intelligence," where the distinction between a chemical component and a piece of software is beginning to fade. The next decade will see the development of "self-healing" battery materials that can repair microscopic cracks and defects in real-time, significantly extending the life of the battery beyond current limits. These materials will be engineered at the atomic level using advanced quantum computing simulations, allowing for a level of performance and durability that was previously considered science fiction. This leap in material science will turn batteries into truly permanent assets, reducing the need for constant replacement and further lowering the lifecycle cost of energy storage.

Sustainability will also reach a new peak with the introduction of "bio-based" battery components. Researchers are currently exploring the use of lignin from wood pulp and other agricultural waste products to create sustainable binders and carbon additives for anodes. This would significantly reduce the reliance on mined graphite and petroleum-derived chemicals, creating a more harmonious relationship between the energy industry and the natural world. Furthermore, the integration of "SynthID" or similar digital watermarking technologies directly into the chemical structure of the materials will allow for 100% accurate tracking and sorting during the recycling process, ensuring that no valuable mineral is ever lost to a landfill.

Another revolutionary shift will be the rise of "Dual-Use" materials. For example, the same material that provides structural integrity to the vehicle's chassis could also serve as part of the battery's electrolyte or current collector. This "structural battery" concept would eliminate the need for heavy battery casings, drastically reducing the overall weight of electric vehicles and increasing their range and efficiency. This convergence of materials science and mechanical engineering will redefine how we think about vehicle design, making the battery an invisible and integrated part of the machine rather than a separate, bulky component.

The role of the Battery Materials Market in this high-tech future is to provide the reliable, high-purity foundation for these breakthroughs. The Global Battery Industry relies heavily on a limited selection of critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite, whose supply chains are marked by significant geopolitical concentration and financial volatility. As we move toward 2033, the market's primary challenge will be to transition these advanced materials from the lab to gigawatt-scale production while navigating the complex realities of global resource management and the relentless push for carbon neutrality in the manufacturing process.

The Advanced Ceramics Market is entering a decade of strategic realignment that will see it transition from a specialized niche into a mainstream industrial powerhouse. As we move from 2025 toward the 2033 forecast, the industry is being shaped by three major forces: the digital transformation of manufacturing, the global energy transition, and the increasing complexity of the global supply chain. For strategic planners, the advanced ceramics sector represents a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of multiple high-tech industries at once. Whether it is the expansion of the EV market, the rollout of satellite mega-constellations, or the development of next-generation medical treatments, advanced ceramics are the common denominator that makes these advancements physically possible.

A key part of the strategic roadmap is the "regionalization" of ceramic production. Because high-purity ceramic powders are difficult to transport and sensitive to contamination, we are seeing a trend where manufacturing facilities are built close to their primary end-users. For example, new alumina processing plants are being constructed near major semiconductor hubs in Arizona and Taiwan, while zirconia facilities are expanding near automotive clusters in Germany and China. This move toward "just-in-time" material supply reduces logistical costs and carbon footprints, while also providing a level of supply chain security that is essential in a volatile geopolitical environment. Companies that can provide local, high-quality ceramic solutions will have a significant competitive advantage.

The industry is also seeing a strategic push into "high-entropy" ceramics. These are new alloys of multiple ceramic elements that offer properties far beyond those of traditional alumina or zirconia. By mixing five or more different components, researchers can create materials with unprecedented thermal stability and radiation resistance, making them ideal for the next generation of nuclear reactors and deep-space exploration missions. This move toward "extreme performance" materials is where the highest margins and most prestigious contracts are found. For the leaders in the advanced ceramics market, the ability to pioneer these new material frontiers is the key to maintaining their dominance in an increasingly crowded and competitive global marketplace.

Comprehensive Advanced Ceramics Market Growth forecasts highlight that the compound annual growth rate of 12.0% is significantly higher than that of traditional material markets like steel or basic plastics. This reflects the "premiumization" of the industrial world, where quality and performance are increasingly valued over sheer volume. The analysis suggests that the biggest winners in the next decade will be companies that can bridge the gap between material science and digital design—offering not just the raw ceramic material but the engineering services to help customers integrate it into their specific applications. This "solution-oriented" business model is the future of the technical ceramics industry.

The Asia Pacific Naphtha Market is currently preparing for a decade of evolution that will see it transition from a volume-driven sector to a value-driven ecosystem. As we look at the market in 2025, valued at USD 172 billion, it is clear that the groundwork for the next ten years has already been laid. The forecast to 2033 suggests a market that is more integrated, more sustainable, and more technologically advanced than ever before. The "Molecular Future" of Asia-Pacific involves the precise manipulation of naphtha molecules to create high-performance materials that were previously impossible to manufacture at scale. From biodegradable plastics to advanced polymers for 3D printing, naphtha remains the essential starting point for the materials that will build the future.

One of the most critical aspects of the 2033 forecast is the role of India as the world's fastest-growing naphtha consumer. With its massive "Petrochemical and Chemical Investment Regions" (PCPIRs), India is set to replicate the industrial success of China on a monumental scale. This growth will be supported by a young workforce and a rapidly expanding domestic market for consumer goods. For global energy firms, India represents the single most important growth opportunity for naphtha and its derivatives, leading to a wave of multi-billion dollar investments in new integrated complexes along the Indian coastline. This shift will create a more balanced regional market, with two massive engines of growth—China and India—driving the industry forward.

Sustainability will be the defining theme of the market's maturation. By 2033, we expect to see a significant portion of the region's naphtha demand being met by "circular naphtha" derived from recycled plastics. This will be complemented by "bio-naphtha" produced from renewable lipids and waste fats, providing a low-carbon alternative for brands that are committed to net-zero goals. The technology to produce these sustainable feedstocks is scaling rapidly, and the Asia-Pacific region, with its massive waste management challenges and technical expertise, is the perfect laboratory for these innovations. This transition ensures that the petrochemical industry remains an ally in the fight against climate change, providing sustainable materials for a modern society.

A comprehensive Asia Pacific Naphtha Market Analysis indicates that the "premiumization" of the chemical sector will be a major driver of profitability. As basic plastic production becomes a commodity business, the real growth will be in "specialty chemicals" that require sophisticated processing of naphtha-derived aromatics and olefins. This includes everything from high-performance adhesives for aerospace to specialized films for solar panels. The analysis suggests that the companies that survive and thrive in 2033 will be those that have moved up the value chain, focusing on high-margin, tech-intensive products that are difficult for competitors to replicate.

The Water Based Resins market is positioned to dominate the future of industrial materials due to its environmental benefits, regulatory compliance, and continuous technological advancements. As industries worldwide transition toward greener production methods, water-based resins are becoming essential building blocks.

The Global Water-Based Resins market reached USD 40.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 56.5 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.2%. This growth reflects sustained industrial demand and expanding application areas.

Advanced manufacturing, electronics, packaging, and automotive industries are increasingly adopting water-based resin systems to improve sustainability and operational efficiency. Continuous innovation is expanding product performance and application versatility.

Emerging markets present significant growth opportunities, driven by rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and infrastructure development. Government incentives supporting green technologies further accelerate adoption.

Boron Oxide Market is positioned for sustained long-term growth, supported by expanding industrial applications and clean energy investments.

The Global Boron Oxide market is forecast to grow from USD 2.98 billion in 2023 to USD 4.12 billion by 2030. Growth is fueled by rising demand across construction, electronics, renewable energy, and automotive sectors.

Europe continues to lead innovation and sustainability efforts. Insights from Europe’s Boron Oxide Market Growth highlight strong investments in advanced materials, strengthening Boron Oxide market share.

Key Boron Oxide market trends include circular economy integration, material recycling, and low-carbon manufacturing. These developments unlock significant Boron Oxide market opportunity and enhance industry resilience.

Major Boron Oxide market drivers such as infrastructure expansion, energy transition, and electronics growth continue to support strong market momentum. However, Boron Oxide market restraints including environmental regulations and resource dependency require ongoing innovation.

Between Materiality Final Collection 

RTM 2013-14: Part 5 - Knit Architectures from Taubman College on Vimeo.

Jane Scott at the Textiles Annual Society Conference

Jane Scott is a knit artist and textiles lecturer in the University of Leeds.

“Jane Scott's research investigates transformable knitted textiles engineered to change from flat surfaces into three dimensional forms. Inspired by paper folding techniques, the research applies smart materials including shape memory yarns to weft knit structures, developing fabrics which have the potential to transform in response to external stimuli. The research combines material innovation with weft knit technology developing textiles capable of providing flexible architectures and spatial interventions.” (Arts, 2015).

She looks in to the practice of knitting in an architectural scene and is interested in how the flexibility and infinite forms produced in knitted fabrics can be replicated and used in architecture. Inspired by architectural materials that respond to the environment, she has developed a range of knitted fabrics that respond to humidity and moisture.

To do this, she has been incorporating strips of wood veneer into her pieces, which when wet, curl and coil, thus moving the knitted yarns as well. It was fascinating, watching videos of how the fabrics would move and ripple when water was sprayed on to them, and I was mesmerised by the majestic nature of her pieces, the forms of which reminded me of opening and closing flowers and of sea urchins swaying in the water.

Within her work, Scott uses biomimicry to create responsive knitted architecture and I am very interested to see how this can be taken further in the future – perhaps interactive structures and shelters within public spaces?

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