Global Biomimetic Materials Market

Biomimetic Materials Market: Insights

Biomimetic materials are artificial manmade materials that mimic the design properties of naturally occurring materials. Biomimetic materials have been used to make swimming fins, robot toys, prosthetics, dental implants, microchips that are capable of enhancing the sensory functions of the brain to help the impaired. Researchers have historically turned to nature to create innovative products by mimicking the designs found naturally, for example, scientists have created synthetic materials that mimic the design of shark skin to create water repellent swimwear and materials, they have also used the beehive structure found naturally to increase the structural integrity. Some other examples of biomimetic materials include velcro, gecko tape, lotus effect for creating water repellent thin films, self-cleaning surfaces, and platelet technology used in repairing pipes, among others.

Smart biomimetic materials are dynamic in nature as they are capable of changing in response to external stimuli. Biomimetic materials are being synthesized for specific applications that are more functional than conventional materials like polymers or plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, and composites. Temperature and pressure variations in the environment result in alterations to the chemical structure and therefore the properties of the materials which has enabled the use of biomimetic materials in a wide variety of applications. They are used in the vibrissal sensing systems in robots to replace or enhance sensors like capacitive sensors on touchscreens. Piezo-electric biomimetic materials are used extensively in the automotive, photonics, semiconductors, and telecommunications industries. More recently biomimetic materials research is being carried out in the fields of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the military. The extensive use of piezoelectric systems in these industries is expected to increase the demand for biomimetic materials. Researchers have successfully managed to mimic the ability of geckos to produce biomimetic materials with high adhesive properties. The gecko effect as it is called allows the synthesis of novel biomimetic materials that have applications in computer architecture and the medical field. They are used in nano-surgeries, repairing cracks in infrastructure like bridges, ship repairs, satellite maintenance, and car tires. They are also used in robots to improve adhesion to surfaces especially in robots used for cleaning surfaces like windows and ceilings. Biomimetic materials with a high degree of sensing and balancing are used to develop electroactive polymers, memory alloys, and piezoelectric devices. Sensing and balancing biomimetic materials can be used to create infantry robots that are capable of detecting traps, hidden dangers like explosives, and hostile groups. Color-changing biomimetic materials are also becoming popular in recent years. They are used to create clothes that are capable of changing color due to external stimuli. The biomimetic materials market is restrained by the high cost of materials. Biomimetic materials cannot be manufactured through regular manufacturing processes. They cannot be mass-produced using existing manufacturing equipment and require specialized equipment which is also very expensive. This increases the cost of such materials which is expected to hamper the growth of the biomimetic materials. The lack of awareness of biomimetic materials and the low sales volume is another restraint on the growth of the biomimetic materials market.

Biomimetic Materials Market: By Application

Based on the various applications of biomimetic materials, the biomimetic materials are segregated into medical, automotive, information technology, telecommunication, robotics, and defense, among others. The medical segment is expected to be the leading segment and will continue the trend over the forecast period. The growing demand for non-invasive diagnosis techniques in the medical field is one of the major reasons for the growing demand for biomimetic materials in the medical segment. Noninvasive diagnostics like ECG, ultrasound, and CT scans are becoming increasingly popular among healthcare providers. Biomimetic materials are being used to develop artificial organ implants and electronic equipment that can be used in the place of damaged organs. Scientists have also been able to create polymer biomimetic materials that can mimic the properties of muscles. These biomimetic materials are used to create prosthetics and robots and are often capable of repairing themselves when damaged. The rise in the innovation of such experimental techniques has also increased the demand for biomimetic materials in the medical segment. Biomimetic materials with high adhesive properties are also used in nano-surgeries. Other applications of biomimetic materials in the medical field include artificial bio-scaffolds that react to temperature and pressure changes in the environment and electricity-based human neural networks. The growing number of applications in the medical field for biomimetic materials is increasing the demand for biomimetic materials. The robotics segment will experience a decent growth rate between 2021-2026. Various biomimetic features and materials are being implemented to create robots like self-cleaning robots.

Biomimetic Materials Market: By Region

The North American region holds the maximum share in the regional analysis. Heavy investment in the research and development of novel medical devices and techniques in the region has lead to the domination of this region in the biomimetic materials market. The region is at the forefront of technological advancements and is increasingly adopting new technologies to create products that use biomimetic materials. The region also has a large number of biomimetic materials vendors which have also contributed to the demand for biomimetic materials in the region. The APAC region is expected to register a dominant growth rate in the global market. The APAC region is slowly investing heavily in the research and manufacturing of advanced materials like biomimetic materials. The growing number of research institutes and research output in the region is expected to increase the demand for biomimetic materials in the region.

Biomimetic Materials Market: Share & Competitor Analysis

TDK Corporation, LORD Corporation, Wright Medical Group, Advanced Cerametrics, CTS Corporation, Channel Technologies, CeramTec, Kyocera Corporation, NOLIAC A/S, and APC International among others are the major vendors.

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of companies profiled in the report.